CASTINE, Maine—The Hagerty Education Program at America’s Car Museum has awarded $5,000 in funding to Maine Maritime Academy to facilitate student involvement in replacing the deck of the schooner Bowdoin. The grant will provide Maine Maritime Academy students with the opportunity to learn and benefit from the hands-on experience of being actively involved in the deck replacement process.

“This is not only a perfect example of the exceptional hands-on learning experience students obtain at MMA, but also a special honor for our students to help sustain this venerated tall ship,” said Andy Chase, professor of Marine Transportation.  “Our students are excited to bring new life to this vessel, and we are grateful to the Hagerty Education Program for supporting that experience directly through their grant.”

Hagerty Education Program is an educational grant-making organization and is a program of LeMay-America’s Car Museum. HEP is funded by collector vehicle and classic boat enthusiasts to serve youth and young adults on their pathways to careers in automotive restoration and preservation along with the long-term interests of the collector vehicle and classic boat communities. Visit www.hagertyeducationprogram.org for more information.

The deck replacement project will be completed by Andros Kypragoras Shipbuilding, Inc. of Whitefield, Maine. Work officially began October 12^th, when the schooner’s masts were removed and the ship was prepared to be delivered to Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding Co. at Wayfarer Marine in Camden. Lyman-Morse is providing workspace and additional expertise for the project.

The project is part of a long-term maintenance and care plan to replace Bowdoin’s deck and complete other upgrades that will be easily accessible when the old deck is removed. The target completion date is May 1, 2016.

The renovation is funded through the Bowdoin Centennial Campaign, a $1.6 million fundraising campaign to replace the ship’s deck and strengthen her endowment. The aim of the campaign is to keep the Bowdoin exploring, sailing, and training for the next 100 years.

Bowdoin serves as the key training ship for Maine Maritime Academy‘s Vessel Operations and Technology (VOT) and Small Vessel Operations (SVO) undergraduate programs, as well as the platform for MMA’s Sail Training Minor. When not in use for training purposes, Bowdoin’s popularity and historical charm keep her calendar brimming with public and private tours, appearances, and excursions. A National Historic Landmark, Bowdoin is also the Official Vessel of the State of Maine.

Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 18 degree programs in engineering, management, science, and transportation. Year over year, the job placement rate for MMA graduates is in excess of 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. In 2014 and 2015, MONEY magazine ranked Maine Maritime Academy the #1 Public College in America on their Best Colleges list. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.

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