The Herreshoff Marine Museum’s 8th annual summer boatbuilding program concluded last Thursday, Aug. 15 with the launch of the vessel that local high school-aged students had spent five weeks constructing.

In front of an appreciative audience of parents, the students carried their creation, a Tenderly Dinghy designed by Chesapeake Light Craft, down Burnside Street and across Hope to the HMM docks.

The students each spoke in turn, describing the many steps required to bring the project to fruition, before carrying their boat down to the end of the dock and taking turns rowing on its inaugural voyage. Nine local students: Theodor Brosnihan, Tyler Aguiar, Zackary Paquette, John Tobin, George Manny, Joseph Zangari, Bryce Pavao, Porter Ackerman, and Trevor Aguiar, took part.

“We are very proud of these gentlemen for what they have accomplished over the last five weeks,” said Kirk Cusic, HMM’s Director of Education.
Instructor Brendan Loflin, a middle school outdoor education and science teacher, applied for the position after taking a bronze casting class at HMM a couple of months ago.

“It was the best experience,” he said. “The kids were awesome and engaged. I think as many kids as possible should have the opportunity to do a program like this.”

“There were a few ups and down, and it was a lot of work,” said Zackary Paquette. “But it was fun, and I met some nice people.”

“I made a lot of friends,” said Theodor Brosnihan in his introduction, noting that the dinghy was named for the Ukrainian word for wheelbarrow.

HMM also offers boatbuilding classes during the school year; for more information, visit www.Herreshoff.org.