Nick Rinn's Contact Details

Nick Rinn's Company Details

Bayfront Maritime Center

Erie, PA, US • 5 - 9 Employees
Non-Profit

The Bayfront Maritime Center is not-for-profit community based organization focused primarily on providing experiential maritime programming for area residents, primarily youth. Hands-on activities include sailing, paddling, boat building and navigation.The Bayfront Maritime Center in collaboration with the Sarah Reed Children's Center and Erie's Public Schools provide the Bayfront Alternative Education program for at-risk high school students who are challenged by the overwhelming odds in the regular classroom environments. The Bayfront Maritime Center offers adapted curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities where students have a better chance for success and mastery of concepts.Bayfront Maritime Center also offers the Bayfront Summer Credit Recovery Program during the summer months for any students who need extra assistance in completing their school work Thanks to our partners, Erie's Public Schools and the United Way of Erie County, we are able to provide laptop computers, use on-line curriculum, and offer teacher's assistance to help students complete missing credits and graduate from high school. Afternoons are spent on the water, learning to sail, paddle, and row on beautiful Presque Isle Bay. Project SAIL, BMC's after school program, offers paid apprenticeship opportunities for high school students. The focus is on job skill development for area youth, incorporating boat building, sailing, rowing and paddling. Apprentices are given assistance in resume writing and practice mock interviews to help them land their first jobs.Barrier-free sailing for those with disabilities is provided through our Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience (EASE) program. The only adaptive sailing program in Pennsylvania, BMC's fleet of Hansa Dinghies allow children and adults with physical and mental challenges enjoy the excitement of sailing, all while building confidence and self-esteem. The program is run by an incredible team of 43 volunteers who donate 1,600 hours each summer!The Bayfront Maritime Center is designing and building a representation of Erie's historic Schooner Porcupine. This project began with the generous donation of a 40′ fiberglass hull meticulously crafted by an Ohio couple, Keith and Kathy Palmerton. Porcupine's mission will be sailing as the Schoolship for Presque Isle Bay, a hands-on sailing STEM classroom and historic regional attraction, interpreting her important part in the War of 1812, sailing for the US Coastal Survey Office, being a United States Revenue Cutter, and carrying cargo as the merchant schooner Caroline until 1873.The completed topsail rigged Porcupine will be operated by the Bayfront Maritime Center as a historic, sailing science vessel for area school students. Porcupine will also offer sailing charters and special events during the sailing season. Because of her size and draft Porcupine will be able to visit Erie's smaller neighboring ports on both sides of Lake Erie that are not accessible to larger vessels. Because of her modern high density closed cell marine foam and fiberglass hull, she will be a sustainable, efficient, cost effective and high profile local asset with deep ties to Erie.