Ernestina Report and Estimates Released

March 2012

photo by Roland Morin

Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association

March 3, 2012

Greetings!

The long-awaited report and estimates were presented to the Schooner Ernestina Commission recently. Please check the description below for more information.

And Carnaval was celebrated Cape Verdean style at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park February 9.

Schooner Ernestina Commission Programming Committee members Barbara Burgo and Chuck Smiler coordinated a wonderful event for AHA! The website has many photos of the celebration.

Fair Winds,

Mary Anne

Ernestina Report Released

The 2012 Conditions Survey Report With Recommendations and Rehabilitation Cost Estimates for Schooner Ernestina was presented to the Schooner Ernestina Commission at the last meeting. Leon Poindexter was present at the meeting to explain his report and answer the Commission's questions. The repairs recommended would return the ship to Coast Guard certification Subchapter T . They include some repairs to the aft deck to satisfy the Coast Guard but not the replacement of the deck and if needed, deck beams. Mr. Poindexter explained that the forward deck which was completely redone at Boothbay Shipyard, ME in 2008-09 was original from 1894.

The aft deck was rebuilt in Cape Verde 30 years ago.

1979 reconstruction

Mr. Poindexter admitted that the aft deck "would have to be revisited at a later time". The Commission asked DCR manager Don Matinzi to provide an additional estimate to rebuild the aft deck to assure informed decision making going forward. The Commission had hoped Ernestina could make some port visits this summer but Mr. Poindexter advised that Ernestina should only be moved to a shipyard for repairs.

Meeting with Mayor Mitchell

Members of the Schooner Ernestina Commission and SEMA met recently with New Bedford's new Mayor Jon Mitchell. DCR Commissioner Ed Lambert and NBWNHP Superintendant Jen Nersesian also participated. The recently released report was discussed and Commissioner Lambert described DCR's Historic Curatorship program as the next step for Ernestina. All participants agreed to work together to build the coalition it will take to get Ernestina serving the Commonwealth and her homeport as she has in the past.

Ernestina ta camba na Sul

Traudi Coli has been reaching out to Ernestina's extensive family of friends across the world for many years. She shared this document written by Zizim Figueira from Paris, France. I hope you enjoy it.

Call for Quartermaster

From online response to local merchandise sales, it seems we could sell Ernestina items on-line but we need a volunteer "quartermaster" who would deal with inventory and fulfilling orders. Anyone out there interested in helping Ernestina in this way? The merchandise helps raise donations AND helps keep Ernestina's name "out there" while we are working to get her sailing again.

Search for New Ernestina Commissioner

The Schooner Ernestina Commission should have 9 commissioners. The enabling legislation specifies qualifications for the appointments. There will be an open seat soon and the appointee "shall be any person whose expertise would be an asset to the commission and the Schooner Ernestina or have particular expertise in the Cape Verdean history as it relates to said schooner, or history of said ship as the Effie M. Morrissey."

It is up to the Commission to consider who to propose to the Governor's office through DCR. Anyone who is interested in serving should submit a letter interest along with a resume and a statement of their involvement with and their interest in Ernestina and their qualifications to serve on the Commission to Jen Nersesian at the National Park Office 33 William St New Bedford, MA 02740.

The candidate needs to be someone who can attend Commission meetings as Massachusetts regulations require actual presence at the meeting to make a quorum. Meetings are usually held monthly in New Bedford on a Friday afternoon.

Schooner Ernestina Commission Meeting

The next Schooner Ernestina Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 9 at 1:00 pm at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitors' Center, 33 William St. New Bedford. The agenda hasn't been posted yet but you can access the minutes of previous Commission meetings. Follow the link and scroll down the chronological list to the Schooner Ernestina Commission entries.

AGENDA or MEETING MINUTES .

Issue 50

Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with the purpose of raising funds to provide for the maintenance, equipment, manning, programming and operation of the Schooner Ernestina ex Effie M. Morrissey as a sail training vessel, school ship, and educational enterprise.