ZUNI-TAMAROA FINDS A HOME PORT

[ollie]

N E W S  F L A S H !

PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA – TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2009

The City Council of Portsmouth, VA authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Zuni Maritime Foundation, Inc., concerning a Berthing Agreement for the former United States Navy-United States Coast Guard Vessel “ZUNI-TAMAROA” at the City’s North Landing.  The City will provide berthing space to the ZUNI-TAMAROA at no cost and has welcomed her to become a part of their historic waterfront on the Elizabeth River.

This is the news and the situation that we have been working toward for these past seven years!  Having this official, permanent, physical location to call our own will finally give us the ability to apply for the gifts and grants that we are eligible to apply for from federal and state governments.  We will also be sending out letters to possible corporate sponsors requesting their support.  

It is anticipated that the ship will arrive at her new home port within the next 12 months, after improvements are made to the North Landing seawall and the ship completes her ship yard period.

The location of the ship’s berth will be 0 Water Street, Portsmouth, VA 23705.

The ZUNI-TAMAROA is currently berthed at Pier 12N, Naval Amphibious Base, Little, Creek, VA.  Please have a look at the photos showing some of the great work that has been going on!

NOW MORE THAN EVER, things are rolling very well in the right direction and we need your financial and volunteer support!!

Please contact us at 804-273-0247 or snafu.manor@verizon.net if you are able to volunteer your time and talent.  

Please visit www.zunitamaroa.org

Thank you!

 

[ollie]

I wish I could express in words how I feel about this victory. As a general rule, the Coast Guard does not seem concerned about its history which is partly why we named her the Zuni Tamaroa. We have received so much more help and encouragement from the Navy and even Marines. I just don't understand why.

We still have a ways to go. We are negotiating with a dry dock for hull repairs. The ship has not been out of the water since 1993. We anticipate some corrosion but over the years we haven't had much in the way of leakage. The big deal is that we finally got ourselves an address......a homeport is a real big deal when you need to apply for grants, etc.

Anyway we've progressed beyond baby steps. So wish us luck

Bill D.

www.zunitamaroa.org