The Calvert County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday, April 9 to accept ownership of a skipjack that has been in the care and custody of Chesapeake Bay Field Lab (CBFL) Incorporated. The 34-year-old vessel, Dee of St. Mary’s, was recently renovated.

According to a memo from Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) Director Doug Alves, CBFL officials approached museum officials about assuming ownership of the craft last summer.

“As an all-volunteer board, they [CBFL] do not have the capacity to manage and program the boat,” Alves stated. “The ‘Dee’ was docked at the Lore Oyster House in September and October, and made several cruises for the public, private groups, and school groups. Following this trial period the CBFL board has asked that the museum determine if it is willing to accept the boat. The Dee is one of only 32 skipjacks still in existence, and one of only six authentic skipjacks to hold U.S. Coast Guard certification to carry passengers. This is a unique opportunity that will not come again. As preserving maritime culture is a mainstay of the museum’s mission, accepting a skipjack into our collection is a good fit. Acquiring a sailing skipjack would also greatly enhance the museum’s ability to do immersive environmental and cultural educational programming.”

During the board’s discussion of the proposal, CMM Deputy Director Sherrod Sturrock said the county would have the option to change the vessel’s name. The commissioners indicated they favored keeping the name Dee of St. Mary’s. Commissioner Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark [R] observed that CMM “is becoming a regional museum” so the skipjack’s reference to St. Mary’s would still be appropriate for the Calvert County facility.

“It’s going to be one of the best things we’ve ever done,” Commissioner Susan Shaw [R] predicted. Noting that the costly renovation work has been completed, Shaw added, “we are basically getting a gift.”

Sturrock reported that the vessel is currently docked at CMM’s harbor. “I look forward to taking you for a cruise,” she said.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com