Amistad America's contract with Ocean Classroom Foundation of Maine to expire
Amistad America announced Tuesday that its contract with the soon-to-be-defunct Ocean Classroom Foundation of Maine will expire Aug. 31, at which point it will resume independent management of the schooner.
Since November 2012, Amistad America has paid Ocean Classroom Foundation $5,000 a month to help manage the ship.
"This model provided Amistad with crewing efficiency, economies of scale and marine operations expertise," Amistad America Executive Director Hanifa Washington said in a statement Tuesday.
She added the contract "has been overwhelmingly successful and we at Amistad America are saddened by OCF's 20 years of programming coming to an end."
Washington said that in June, Amistad America and Ocean Classroom Foundation extended their cooperative service contract until Aug. 31.
Ocean Classroom Foundation, which is headed by former Amistad America Executive Director Greg Belanger, said last week that it is ceasing operations after 20 years because it can longer afford to fix its three ships and pay off a $2.2 million mortgage.
Meanwhile, state officials have said they expect a state audit of how financially troubled Amistad America spent $8 million in state funds to be completed within days.
- Joe Wojtas
Stories that may interest you
The Stars and Stripes reimagined
Robert Carley of Colchester photographs and creates inventive versions of the American flag.
Beautiful Beaches: Southeastern Connecticut’s Best Spots for Fun in the Sun
Coastal Connecticut is uniquely situated, not along the open Atlantic Ocean like its neighbor states, but on Long Island and Fishers Island sounds, protected estuaries that offer mostly tame beaches not pounded by surf rolling in from offshore.
Pine Grove Niantic Association continues field day tradition
On Sunday about 140 residents and their guests gathered on Center Street for the Pine Grove Niantic Association’s annual field day, a tradition that has continued since the private beach community’s founding in 1882.
Holiday closings
Monday is a state and federal public holiday in observance of the Fourth of July.
READER COMMENTS