Clearwater Docked at Home Port for Winter Maintenance

KINGSTON, NY — Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, America’s environmental flagship has returned to her home port for winter maintenance at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, located 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston, after completing her 47th sailing season.

The sloop will remain docked at the Kingston Home Port, floating in the Rondout Creek, where bubblers have been placed around the boat to prevent ice from forming around the hull, according to information from Clearwater.

The sloop is currently wrapped in a sheet of shrink-wrap plastic, which creates a winter shed and protective cover for the Clearwater crew as they work through the winter to prepare the sloop for her spring sailing season, which will begin on April 17.

Individuals looking for hands on experience are welcome to spend a Saturday working on one of Clearwater’s winter maintenance projects. Volunteers will join the captains and crew in performing general sloop maintenance such as sanding and painting. No experience is required and volunteers are encouraged to dress warm and wear work gloves. Volunteers are accepted any time from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Saturday at the sloop through March 2017.

Captain Aleythea Dolstad said the organization will be focusing on routine maintenance during the winter.

“There is a task for anyone. Come on over and give the sloop some love,” she said.

A series of open-boat events will take place at the sloop throughout this winter. Open-boats give the community an opportunity to tour the sloop and meet the Clearwater's captains and crew. This free, family friendly community event features a musical round robin and potluck dinner. Attendees are encouraged to bring an instrument, song, story or poem, and a food item to share.

The next open boat is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Kingston Home Port at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Visit www.clearwater.org for more information.

Photo credit: Submitted.