Dear Friends of the Continental Sloop Providence:

2005 represented a significant turning point in the history of the Sloop Providence and the Providence Maritime Heritage Foundation (PMHF). In January, 2005, I happily rejoined the PMHF as Executive Director. Our year began strong with a film contract from Walt Disney Studios to participate in the filming of “Pirates of the Caribbean” films 2 and 3. Be sure to read Richard “Rusty” Rice’s article included in this enewsletter on the adventures of the Providence in the Caribbean.

Funds from this contract allowed us to retire old debts, grow our capacity and plan for a strong future. The PMHF installed a new and smaller board of directors. These community leaders have contributed significant resources to ensure that the PMHF is on course. I wish to thank our board president, Richard M. McAuliffe, Jr., our secretary Bruce Livingston, our treasure Edward S. Buiser as well as board members Erin Donovan, Ted Old and Steve McInnis, Esq. for their dedication.

Significant time and effort has been exerted during negotiations with the City of Providence for ownership of the Sloop. Since its creation in 1997, the PMHF has had the exclusive right to operate the vessel on behalf of the City. Now, the City wishes to pass ownership of the vessel to the PMHF with the assurance that the Sloop Providence will always call Providence its home port. We expect to finalize negotiations early this year.

Education programs continued to play a significant role in 2005. The Sloop conducted several Classroom Under Sail programs with Newport, RI, youth and hosted seven young men from the Bronx, New York, for a week long Cadet Academy in Long Island Sound. Challenging youth to new adventures at sea remains core to our mission.

Rob Hofmann (right) with Cadet Noe Rosario on the
deck of the Providence in Long Island Sound (photo by Betty Dion).

Young men from the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club proudly display their
Continental Sloop Providence Certificates of Achievement upon completing a week long Cadet Academy aboard the Providence (from left to right: Noe Rosario, Faisal Qayum, John Vargas, Mark Davis, Zachary Garnett, Fred Colon Thaler, His honor the Mayor of Greenport David Kappell and Ciaran Slattery (photo by Betty Dion).

The PMHF received a large grant from PASA, the Providence After School Alliance, which allows the PMHF to collaborate with the Rhode Island Historical Society and Community Boating Center on an innovative after school program called “Providence Set Sail!” which will begin on January 18 th of this year. Please read the press release in this “enewsletter” for more information about this exciting program.

After thirty years, the Sloop will require some capital improvement this winter. Our first project will be to replace the fuel tanks and to increase our sleep-over capacity below decks. Some of this work is expected to be contracted out. However, as always, skilled volunteers are always appreciated. Check out our website at www.sloopprovidenceonline.org for more information about volunteering.

Speaking of volunteers, I wish to thank everyone who volunteered a board the Providence in 2005. A special thanks goes to Bob Haiken and Jay Higgins who devoted so many hours of their time and talent to our 2005 season. We literally couldn’t have done it without you. I would also like to thank Captain Steve Brown and our crew and staff for many hours of devotion.

Happy New Year and Fair Winds! – Rob Hofmann