L-R: Mon Cochran, Herb Heidt, and Ted Baylis
PLEASANT BAY – The Friends of Pleasant Bay and Pleasant Bay Community Boating hosted a commissioning ceremony yesterday for their new solar-powered floating classroom research vessel.
The ceremony was held at PBCB’s direct waterfront campus, and geared primarily an opportunity to thank supporters of the project.
The floating classroom research vessel, named “Friend of Pleasant Bay,” is a 37 feet long, 12 feet wide, solar-powered electric-motor pontoon vessel that can accommodate up to 29 passengers and two crew. It can also accommodate 10 wheelchairs at reduced capacity.
Ted Baylis, PBCB’s President, noted “We are indebted to FOPB for their enormous contribution. The FCRV is a game-changer for everyone, but especially for PBCB. The “Friend of Pleasant Bay” will make it possible for us to expand our marine education and environmental stewardship programs. She’ll enable us to do shoulder-season school programs as well as support off-season research by Center for Coastal Studies and others.”
He added, “Pleasant Bay is a precious asset. You’d be surprised by how many Cape Cod kids have never been out on the water. In their lifetimes, they will be facing issues of ever-rising seas and they need to be familiar with these coastal zone processes so they can make the best possible decisions for their communities.”
Solar panels on the vessel’s roof deliver power to the electric motors. The shallow draft of the FCRV will help students and scientists to access remote areas of the Bay and the near-silent electric motors will allow quiet approach to seals, birds and other wildlife that live on PleasantBay.
FOPB has also already made education grants to schools in Brewster, Chatham, Harwich and Orleans for over 32 floating classroom trips in the 2018-19 school year.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
