OHPRI stands for Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island – one of the longest acronyms in sailing, though not as bad as the beast you would end up with if you took all the letters from the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.
Collaborating with the community is an important part of the Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) mission, and the non-profit organization is working to cast a wider net in the marine industry as it forges ahead with construction of the Education-at-Sea school ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry and the development of its educational programs.
OHPRI Chairman Bart Dunbar said:
“We are formally announcing a program where we are looking to partner with the marine trades for our shipbuilding project,” “Our current partners have generously offered significant discounts and donations of goods and services, and more partnerships will allow us to help reinvigorate the marine industry, which is an important part of Rhode Island’s economic development.”
SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is currently undergoing construction at Promet Marine Services in Providence, R.I., and has already made its footprint in the marine trades industry by working with businesses such as: Bay Marine Inc., Furuno USA, Hall Spars and Rigging, Harken, Hood Sailmakers, Interlux, KVH Industries, Milton CAT, Newport Harbor Corporation, Ocean Navigator Publishing and Onne van der Wal Photography.
By 2013, the organization will have employed approximately 50 skilled workers. After 75 percent of the ship has been completed, it will return to Newport waters where it will be on display as an educational public exhibit. Its masts, rigging and hardware will be configured and installed while interior accommodations and other improvements are finished.
By July 4, 2013 the Class A tall ship will sail as a 196’ (sparred length) working vessel, supporting itself with education-at-sea programs and employing approximately 17 people, with an office, staff and crew. OHPRI will team up with public and private schools, colleges, universities and educational and cultural organizations, and the ocean school ship will be outfitted with equipment to accommodate each educational mission. When not performing its education-at-sea objectives offshore, the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be prominently displayed and available to the public in Newport and in other Rhode Island and New England ports to help promote tourism and generate new business.
OHPRI at the Newport International Boat Show (September 15-18)
OHPRI will be able to reach out and broaden its network in marine trades on Thursday, September 16 for the Newport International Boat Show at the Newport Yachting Center. The organization will have Booth #50 in Tent C and will run a multi-media presentation about the shipbuilding progress and the development of its educational platform. OHPRI also will be promoting its boat donation program with Block Island Maritime Funding, which allows individuals to donate boats to the foundation and receive a tax deduction for the full appraised value of the donated vessel.
“This will be our third year attending the Newport International Boat Show. We love being a part of the event and have made great connections with marine companies and those who are passionate about boating, which is so integral to our heritage and future as the Ocean State.”
- More Newport RI News
