Flagship Niagara League Announces Partners

 

Representatives from the Flagship Niagara League were in Toledo on Wednesday to announce two new partnerships --- A new scholarship and training opportunity for cadets at The Maritime Academy of Toledo, and a five-year port agreement with the Put-In-Bay Chamber of Commerce.
 
Around 25 people, including representatives of the Ottawa County Visitor’s Bureau and the Toledo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau attended the press conference held at The Maritime Academy of Toledo.

Shawn Waskiewicz, Executive Director, Flagship Niagara League, presented The Maritime Academy of Toledo with a $10,000 check to help launch a $30,000 Scholarship Trainee Cadet Fund for the school.

“The Flagship Niagara League is contributing the first $10,000 for this program and will be looking for matching funds, private donors, and corporate partners to raise the other $20,000,” said Mr. Waskiewicz.  “The funds will pave the way for 20 cadets to go through a two-week trainee program aboard U.S. Brig Niagara during the Summer 2015.”

In September 2014, ten cadets from The Maritime Academy of Toledo spent one week aboard U.S. Brig Niagara sailing from Erie, PA to Buffalo, NY.   As part of the week-long event, cadets went through ship familiarity training, emergency drills, and stayed aboard overnight.  While aboard ship, the cadets participated in underway activities, watch standing, in-port watch, small boat operations, cleaning, and other vessel activities.

“We’ve been monitoring The Maritime Academy of Toledo for some time, said William Sabatini, Captain, U.S. Brig Niagara.  “The cadets who participated in the week-long program in September showed that the school and other cadets are ready for this trainee program.  The new two-week program is a great learning opportunity for The Maritime Academy of Toledo cadets.  Those associated with U.S. Brig Niagara are equally excited.”

“This was an incredible opportunity for our cadets,” said Rick Brown, Director of the Career Tech Education (CTE) Program at The Maritime Academy of Toledo.  “U.S. Brig Niagara has a classroom component aboard ship that allows cadets to have hands-on training and become an active part of the crew.”  

At the same press conference FNL announced details on a new five-year deal with the Put-In-Bay Chamber of Commerce ensuring that U.S. Brig Niagara will be sailing into Put-In-Bay through 2020.

“We are looking forward to our new agreement with the Flagship Niagara League, said Ty Winchester, President, Put-In-Bay Chamber of Commerce.  “We’ve always considered Put-In-Bay the second home port for U.S. Brig Niagara.   We look forward to welcoming the ship and her crew to Put-In-Bay during the third weekend in June through 2020.  This gives Put-In-Bay the opportunity to celebrate our important shared maritime heritage manifested in U.S Brig Niagara and her ongoing mission of education and sail training.”

www.flagshipniagara.org