First boat donation for Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island

by Barby MacGowan on 6 Dec 2010 The non-profit organization Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) has received its first boat donation since signing an agreement in November with Block Island Maritime Funding (BIMF). A Hinckley Little Harbor 44’ power yacht, appraised at $750,000, was donated to the foundation by Newport resident David Brodsky. The yacht will be used in BIMF’s chartering program for three years before it is sold for the charitable purpose of supporting OHPRI’s efforts.

OHPRI joined forces with BIMF in November to assist in funding both the building of Rhode Island’s education at sea school ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry and the creation of its at-school and on-board education programs. BIMF, like OHPRI, is a 501(c)3 non-profit and has a long history of serving as a donation program for maritime charities. Its primary function is funding education programs (K through 12) in the marine sciences, encompassing the disciplines of marine biology, marine ecosystems, fisheries, science and the development of traditional marine skills such as navigation, sailing and boat building, all of which have a place in OHPRI’s education programs.

OHPRI Vice-Chair Perry Lewis explained that OHPRI’s mission is to provide accredited academic programming and experiential education for young people from Rhode Island schools and universities as well as students from all over New England.

'The success of the education at sea tall ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry continues to rely on the generosity and enthusiasm of individuals and businesses,' said Lewis. 'By contracting with the boat donation program at Block Island Maritime Funding, we have one more business-savvy way that people can support us while we realize our goals.'

The steel hull of the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, which was acquired by OHPRI in 2008 (from a group in Amherstburg, Ontario), is currently at Promet Marine Services in Providence, R.I. Once completed, the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will sail as a 207-foot, three-masted, square rigger—the largest, privately owned, active tall ship in America. The school ship is named for Newport’s War of 1812 naval hero Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and will be based in Newport and owned and operated for the people of Rhode Island by OHPRI.

The gifting of a boat to the foundation by an individual brings about benefits along with goodwill. 'The charitable donation of a boat to the OHPRI can often equal the cash received from its outright sale,' said Lewis. 'This is particularly true when a boat has been difficult to sell in this current market. We can explain how it’s possible for you to receive the full appraised value of your donation on your taxes.'

To make a boat donation or to contribute to the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry ocean classroom project, contact Vice-Chair Perry Lewis at OHPRI headquarters, Buliod-Perry House, 29 Touro Street, Washington Square, Newport, R.I., 401-841-0080. More information also can be found at www.OHPRI.org.

An animated 3-D drawing of the ship’s hull can be found http://www.baymarine.us/animation.html!here.

For more information, please go to: www.baymarine.us