Sailing ship becomes classroom for Sea Grant experts, researchers

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CT Sea Grant Associate Director Nancy Balcom, standing in the center, welcomes passengers to the on-the-water workshop.
CT Sea Grant Associate Director Nancy Balcom, standing in the center, welcomes passengers to the on-the-water workshop.

Photos by Judy Benson

Leaders of partner organizations, town officials and individual stakeholders joined Connecticut Sea Grant on Oct. 5 for an on-the-water workshop aboard the Onrust, a replica of the vessel Dutch explorer Adraien Block sailed into Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River in the early 1600s.

Wesleyan University Prof. Johan Varekamp talks about his research on mercury in Long Island Sound, sea level rise and the history of Dutch explorer Adriaen Block's voyage into the Sound and the Connecticut River.
Wesleyan University Prof. Johan Varekamp talks about his research on mercury in Long Island Sound, sea level rise and the history of Dutch explorer Adriaen Block’s voyage into the Sound and the Connecticut River.
Long Island Sound Outreach Coordinator Judy Preston, left, talks about the numerous designations given in recognition of lower Connecticut River's unique ecological and cultural significance.
Long Island Sound Outreach Coordinator Judy Preston, left, talks about the numerous designations given in recognition of lower Connecticut River’s unique ecological and cultural significance.

 

The ship, kept at the docks of the Connecticut River Museum in Essex for the summer and fall, took the three dozen passengers, speakers and crew members on a two-hour excursion south to Old Lyme and back. Along the way, Connecticut Sea Grant’s staff experts and funded researchers shared their current and past projects with the audience. The event was part of Connecticut Sea Grant’s celebration of its 30th Anniversary year as a Sea Grant College Program, the highest status in the National Sea Grant network.