Skipjack Embarks On New Season With Nathan Foundation Donation
category:Clubs and Organizations posted:May 5th, 2008
The Dorchester Skipjack Committee has received a donation from the Nathan Foundation, continuing a relationship dating back to the building of the skipjack Nathan of Dorchester in Cambridge in 1994. The Nathan Foundation provided principal funding for the construction of the traditional Chesapeake Bay oyster-dredging vessel.
In the photo, Nathan Foundation board member Ed Nabb presented the Foundation’s contribution to Dorchester Skipjack Committee Vice President Hermann Hasken at a recent crew training session. Front row, left to right: Trainees Caren Crocker and Eric Krebeck, Nabb, Hasken, crew member Rick Bulala. Back row, behind the new main sail: Mate John O’Reilly, trainee Fred Miller, crew member Paul Landers, trainee Anne Krebeck.
This year’s contribution includes a donation toward the boat’s new set of sails, and funding for free trips for the public on Heritage Day this month and during the Dorchester Showcase in September.
Dan Cada, President of the Dorchester Skipjack Committee, thanked the Nathan Foundation for its generous donation. “We greatly appreciate the continued support that the Nathan Foundation has shown for our activities,” he said.
“Together with the extensive time and work that all of our volunteers provide, we feel this in an important endorsement for our efforts to keep the maritime heritage of this area alive and accessible to the public.” The all-volunteer, nonprofit Dorchester Skipjack Committee owns, operates and maintains the Nathan of Dorchester.
The Nathan Foundation’s donation, along with contributions from numerous individuals, local businesses and crew members, helped to fund a new set of sails for the skipjack, replacing the set that she has worn since she was first built. The new sails have been installed on the boat and her 2008 sailing season has begun.
In addition to her schedule of charters and public sails from Cambridge, in her role as ambassador for Cambridge and DorchesterCounty, this year the Nathan’s new sails will take her to special events in Annapolis, Baltimore, SolomonsIsland and to the skipjack race at Deal Island.
The Nathan will offer free sails to the public from LongWharf during Dorchester County’s Heritage Day celebration on May 17. The boat will depart at noon, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Advance reservations will not be accepted for these trips. Passengers may sign up for the sails at the Nathan booth on Heritage Day on a first come, first served basis.
Her regular public sail schedule begins on Saturday, May 24, with two-hour sails at 1:00 p.m. each Saturday that she is in port, through October. In addition, two one-hour sails will be offered one Sunday each month, at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., beginning May 25.
Volunteers are welcome as crew, captains and for administrative needs. Crew members need no prior sailing experience, but must be at least 16 years of age and in good physical condition. Captains must have a masters license with sail endorsement. Crew and captain volunteers receive thorough training in skipjack operation and safety procedures before earning full crew status.
For more information, to charter the boat or to volunteer, contact the Dorchester Skipjack Committee at 410-228-7141 or visit its website, www.skipjack-nathan.org.
