Shipyards, marine designers, divers and others provide
maintenance
and supplies!
From
tug boat companies to ship yards and retail stores, companies and
organizations are adopting the Learning Barge. Their care is keeping
the unique learning tool in tip-top shape and safe for up to 120
students a day.The ship repair community, especially, has rallied to
adopt maintenance of the 120-foot barge, the largest environmental
education vessel on the lower Chesapeake Bay. “The ship repairers are
already some of our stars in reducing pollution on the river, so it is
extra special to have them care so much about education of the children,
as well,†says Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, Executive Director, Elizabeth
River Project.
As soon as the first field trip season ended in December due to cold
weather, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair – the largest private yard on
the Elizabeth – whisked the Learning Barge away by tug for donated
winter storage and fine-tuning including adding 40,000 pounds of
ballast.
Colonna’s Shipyard has pledged to haul out the Learning Barge every two
years and paint the bottom, donated services valued at $20,000. Ireland
Marine and Crofton Diving & Robbins Tug Service have already moved the
barge by tug (she has no motor), and Crofton is donating a regular
schedule of dive surveys of the bottom. Earl Industries is helping with
maintenance painting and other guidance along with PPG and 3M. Matherne
Marine Design donated design of the barge hull and is now providing free
help with maintenance oversight.
Better
still, the association with the maritime community is turning the
Learning Barge into “yet another learning opportunity,†notes Robin
Dunbar, program manager. Virginia Ship Repair Association plans to use
the vessel for apprentice classes.
Meanwhile, Lowe’s – sponsor of the River Lab aboard – has been donating
routine supplies on a monthly basis.
The stewardship of these river professionals is more than heartening. It
allows your donations to provide the groundbreaking programming that
students and teachers are finding so beneficial and satisfying.
Many Thanks to these
Supporters:
|
BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair |
In-water winterization, built and
installed 20-ton ballast benches, other upgrades and minor
repairs |
|
Colonna's Shipyard |
Haul-out and bottom maintenance every 2
years |
|
Crofton Diving |
Regular dives to survey bottom zincs and
tug moves of the Barge |
| Earl
Industries, LLC |
Painting and advisory services |
|
Ireland Marine |
Tug moves of the Barge |
|
Matherne Design |
Design of the Barge hull; oversight of
barge maintenance. |
|
Robbins Tug Service |
Tug moves of the Barge |
|
Virginia Ship Repair Association |
Providing apprentice support through
members (project under consideration, painting interior
below-deck over time) |
|
Lowe's |
Monthly donations of supplies |
