June 1, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY
IYRS Has Unique Graduation Rite: Launching Boats
Newport (R.I.) June 1, 2009 — At most graduation ceremonies, students take diplomas in hand. At the International Yacht Restoration School, they pick up tillers and go sailing.
On Saturday, June 6, IYRS students will mark their graduation from the school's two full-time programs by showcasing their work and launching the boats they spent the past year restoring. After the launching, students have their first opportunity to sea-trial their boats and test their workmanship on the water.
Graduation ceremonies for students from the two-year Boatbuilding & Restoration program and the one-year Marine Systems program begin at the IYRS Newport campus at 10:30 am inside Restoration Hall. (For a roster of the Class of 2009, click here.) The launching immediately follows at the IYRS docks. The public is welcome to the ceremony and the launching.
Boats launched this year include: a fleet of 12-foot Beetle Cats®, an iconic New England catboat design that dates to 1921; the 35-foot motor launch Corsair, originally launched in 1939 for yachtsman and financier J.P. Morgan; a Herreshoff 12 ½ designed by the "Wizard of Bristol," Nathanael Herreshoff; and a 15-foot replica of a 19th-century Whitehall rowing boat.
The Museum of Yachting joins Launch Day festivities with a book sale, held inside Restoration Hall from 12 noon to 3 pm. The sale includes maritime books and magazines, many of which are duplicate titles from the Museum's extensive library collection.
WHAT:
Launch Day at the International Yacht Restoration School
WHEN:
Saturday, June 6 / Graduation ceremonies begin at 10:30 AM
WHERE:
International Yacht Restoration School
449 Thames Street, Newport, R.I.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.iyrs.org
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cynthia Goss: 203-453-2731
Susan Daly: 401-848-5777, ext 220