News Notes Mid-Atlantic March 2011

By Rich Armstrong

Apprentice program allows amateurs to build a boat

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., announced the winter/spring schedule for its Apprentice for a Day program.

During museum hours on Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 8 through May 29, participants will be constructing a 16-foot Rushton double-ended rowboat “Florida model.” Traditional Chesapeake boatbuilding techniques will be taught under the direction of a museum shipwright by constructing a boat from start to finish.

Participants can be a part of the whole 17-week process or can sign up only for specific dates. The “Journeyman Special” package includes any four days for one reduced price and can diversify the experience to include several different skills.

Individual classes are $35 for museum members and $45 for non-members. The “Journeyman’s Special” is $125 for members and $170 for non-members. Participants must be 16 or older, unless accompanied by an adult.

Call the museum to register at (410) 745-2916 or email Dan Sutherland at [email protected] or Richard Scofield at [email protected]. To download the complete schedule, visit www.cbmm.org/l_boatyard.htm.

Class teaches how to craft a half-hull

The Model Guild at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., will host a weekend model-building workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 26-27.

Participants are led step-by-step by skilled volunteer modelers to create a half-hull model of the Pride of Baltimore II. Band sawed from a block and carved to the rounded shape of the Pride’s hull, the half-hull model is then mounted on a baseboard to form a fine wall display piece.

The museum’s Model Guild welcomes anyone 12 years of age or older to take these classes, and encourages new members of all skill levels to participate in the guild, use its facilities, and trade model building experience with Museum visitors. Classes can accommodate six students. A special rate for a parent-child team can accommodate younger children.

The cost for the workshop is $80 for museum members and $90 for non-members. All tools and materials are supplied. Call (410) 745-2916 to register for the class or (410) 745-3266 for information. Pre-registration is required by March 21.

Anglers face new regulations in 2011

Effective Jan. 1, anglers who fish in Maryland saw significant changes to sportfishing license requirements. Enacted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, many of these changes are being implemented to allow the state to comply with federal law calling for a national database of saltwater anglers.

Notable changes include:

A single comprehensive saltwater sport fishing license has been created to replace the one in effect since 1985. The new Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Sport Fishing License will now cover Maryland waters off the Atlantic coast, including the coastal bays, in addition to Maryland waters of Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.
The NOAA National Saltwater Angler Registration will no longer be valid for anglers fishing in Maryland waters. The Department of Natural Resources will provide angler contact information to NOAA obtained through state licenses and registration.
A new recreational sport fishing license fee structure has been adopted and registration for certain unlicensed anglers will be required. The license fees for several non-resident categories of Maryland’s recreational fishing licenses have been changed and five-day licenses have been extended to seven days.

Specific details on the changes, new fee structure and exemptions are available at www.dnr.state.md.us/service/fish ing_license.asp with questions can email [email protected] or call (410) 656-9526

Maritime Museum again earns high marks

Results from a visitor survey conducted during OysterFest ’09 and again in the spring and summer of ’10 report the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, Md., as having high marks in meeting and exceeding visitor expectations.

Designed and compiled by the Center for Nonprofit Management and administered through the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the Visitors Count! survey asked about visitor attitudes and opinions regarding the visitor experience, museum media and communications, customer service, exhibits, and facilities, as well as demographics.

In comparison to 114 other peer museums, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum received top marks and gold standard ratings for making a big difference in the community’s quality of life, as well as the trustworthiness of the Museum’s exhibit and program information. Survey results also indicate visitors feel the Museum provides an environment conducive to exploring difficult historical issues and provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to connect with each other for a memorable experience.

Build you own model crabbing skiff

The Model Guild of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., will host a weekend model-building workshop from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 25; and 9-5 p.m. Feb. 26 and 27.

Led step-by-step by skilled volunteer modelers, participants will create a 10-inch Chesapeake Bay Crabbing Skiff built from two-toned flat stock over a frame. The models will be built in much the same manner as the real boats are constructed.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Model Guild welcomes anyone 12 years of age or older to take these classes, which can accommodate six students. A special rate for a parent-child team can accommodate younger children.

The cost is $80 for museum members and $90 for non-members. All tools and materials are supplied. Preregistration is required by Feb. 21. Call (410) 745-2916 to register.

CLEANUP WORK

Contractors with Eastern Environmental Management pick up absorbent pads full of diesel fuel and gasoline Jan. 8 at McCotters Marina in Washington, N.C. The petroleum products were released into Broad Creek following a Jan. 7 fire at the marina, which left a light sheen that was isolated with containment boom. Coast Guard and contractors worked through the weekend and collected 63 barrels of the oiled absorbent pads.