Bill > S2287

This bill aims to preserve the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey, a historic vessel, by transferring its oversight and management to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (the Academy). The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Establishing the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Advisory Board to advise the Academy on matters related to the vessel. The Board will consist of nine members appointed by the Governor, including representatives from various state agencies and the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association. 2. Authorizing the Academy to hold, operate, preserve, and maintain the vessel for educational and training purposes, and allowing it to charge fees for voyages, excursions, and tours to support the vessel's operations. 3. Requiring the vessel's home berth to be in the city of New Bedford, where it must be berthed for at least 90 days per calendar year on a 3-year rolling average at no cost to the Academy. 4. Mandating the Academy to incorporate the vessel's operation as a sail training ship into its curriculum for at least 15 years, and to collaborate with the Advisory Board, the city of New Bedford, and other stakeholders to make the vessel available to local public school children and residents for educational and cultural events. 5. Transferring all existing contracts, approvals, permits, and obligations related to the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Academy, while allowing the Department to complete any ongoing restoration work. 6. Ensuring that any funds held for the vessel's restoration remain available for that purpose until the vessel is fully restored, at which point the remaining funds will be transferred to the Academy to be used for the vessel's operations and maintenance.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2287