SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be Rhode Island's own tall ship, providing our state with a 196-foot long, three-masted sailing vessel to join the select fleet of Class-A size Tall Ships hosted by the nations of the world. With this extraordinary ship we can provide education at sea programs to youth of all ages while proudly advancing the Ocean State's rich maritime heritage.

The hull for this new ship was initially begun in Canada. Much of the first phase construction has been completed. The steel hull has been built; fuel and water tanks are installed, as well as shafts and propellers for its twin-engine propulsion system. Steel platforms await her twin generators. Initial work on a bow thruster has begun, as has a mechanically sophisticated rudder system. She will have a training participant capacity up to 100 for day sails and 49 overnight.

After a short Rhode Island shipyard construction period at Promet Marine Services in Providence  Rhode Island, the ship was towed by one of our Marine Trades Partners, Casey Marine, to Senesco Marine for deck work and more. Watch the progress here.

The ship is named for Newport's War of 1812 naval hero Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. Completion is planned for 2013. Once completed, SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be owned and operated in trust for the people of Rhode Island by Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI). She will be based in Newport, serve America and sail the world as an ambassador of our proud state.

The success of the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry relies on the generosity of donors and supporters, both large and small, from individuals and businesses to students and corporations, so please consider making a generous gift or donation today. Join us on May 17 for our fourth annual FUNDRAISER, this year at Castle Hill Inn, overlooking Narragansett Bay.

WE ARE HIRING: Click here to apply and join the crew as Maritime Educator.