Maine-based Ocean Classroom Foundation, which operated Amistad, to close
Portland, Maine — The Ocean Classroom Foundation, a nonprofit based in Maine that has run educational programs for students aboard schooners for almost 20 years, will stop operating at the end of this summer, according to executive director Greg Belanger.
The reason, according to Belanger, is that two of the three ships that the foundation owns are in such serious need of repair that they cannot host students and the third requires more expensive repairs than anticipated this year.
Without the revenue that the two out-of-commission ships would bring in, the organization will not be able to run programs beyond this summer, he said.
“The only viable solution was to work in this direction and eventually to close,” Belanger said. “We’ve been working for several months cooperatively with the bank to come up with a viable solution. It just proved unsustainable to fix these boats and pay the mortgage.”
Ocean Classroom Foundation took out a $2.2 million mortgage from Camden National Bank in 2010, Belanger said. The foundation made regular payments until three to five months ago. Belanger did not say how much was still owed to the bank.
To read complete article, click here.
Stories that may interest you
COVID-19 vaccination clinic set Monday in New London
Shots will be available for all ages, as approved by the CDC, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ocean Beach.
Pride vigil to take place Tuesday at New London City Hall
Speakers will include Mayor Michael Passero, OutCT board members and City Council members.

Local woman fulfills dream with art exhibit at Groton Public Library
Suzanne Elliot is realizing her dream of having an art exhibit at the Groton Public Library.

Friends & Neighbors: Jewett City Savings Bank elects chairman, vice chairman of board
Following the annual meeting of corporators on March 29, the Board of Directors of Jewett City Savings Bank elected Gary W. Peloquin to serve as Chairman of the Board and Gail Rooke-Norman to serve as Vice Chairman of the Board.
READER COMMENTS