Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Advisory Board (SEMAB) Meeting

SEMAB met on August 6.  Wendy Pearl (DCR) reported that the Best Value Grant has been signed by DCR Commissioner DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery which will ensure the Ernestina-Morrissey receives her USCG Certificate of Inspection. The Best Value Grant provides $850,000 from the Commonwealth through DCR’s Ernestina Trust. The “Value Added” $900,000 in private dollars will supply the rest of the funds needed to complete the contract, signed on July 23.

Andy Tyska (Bristol Marine) reported that the MOU between SEMA and Bristol Marine and an agreement between SEMA and the Lenfest Family Foundations allows private dollars received by SEMA to be used to pay for invoices when Task Agreements are completed. With the finalization of the contract between DCR and Shipyard at Boothbay Harbor (dba Bristol Marine), materials will now be purchased, such as the drive line, the material for the spars and rig, the AC&DC electric systems and more to complete the work on Ernestina-Morrissey.   Andy is super proud to the team members at the shipyard working on this project at BBHS.  And glad to have Hannah Gray, DCR representative and Captain Tiffany Krihwan, working with them to make sure Shipyard at Boothbay Harbor will deliver a superior vessel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Chairperson Jose Centeio lead a discussion about the the ports Ernestina-Morrissey will visit on her frost voyage from Boothbay Harbor, ME to Massachusetts Maritime Academy and her homeport New Bedford. Many suggestions were made by Board members, legislators and the public attending the meeting.  If you would like input, contact one of the SEMAB members or contact SEMA.

The next meeting of SEMAB will be held on Friday, September 17 at 9 am. The meeting of SEMAB will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be available. They will use their best effort to ensure that the public can access the proceedings in real time, via technological means. Agenda and more information on how to access the Zoom meeting HERE. when available

The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Advisory Board, appointed by the governor, was formed to advise Massachusetts Maritime Academy on matters that relate to the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

101 Academy Drive

Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

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