Who is Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island?
Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) was founded 15 years ago as nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to host Tall Ships visits to Narragansett Bay. OHPRI produced three very successful events, which drew thousands of visitors to Newport each festival day. We also raised money to make sail training available to hundreds of students allowing them to board and sail a tall ship and experience deep-water sailing for the first time.

Why is the ship named Oliver Hazard Perry?
Oliver Hazard Perry was a native son of Rhode Island. He was born in S. Kingstown, educated in Newport and is buried in Newport Island Cemetery. A commemorative statue stands in Washington Square in Newport. He was a U.S. Captain and Naval Hero in War of 1812 and a Commander of the American Naval fleet that met the British forces in the Battle of Lake Erie. His most famous victory was over the British near Put-In-Bay where he declared “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

Where is the Oliver Hazard Perry now?
Currently the partially completed hull for the tall ship is at Promet Marine Services in Providence, RI.

How much is completed on the ship?
Our design calls for enlarging the Canadian hull by adding an additional deck, replacing the bow and stern and enhancing the rig. Fuel and water tanks are installed but will be modified, and there are shafts and propellers for its twin-engine propulsion system. Steel platforms await her twin generators. Plans for the additional steel work, electrical, HVAC, electonics, and piping systems have commenced. Once the major Rhode Island shipyard work has been completed, the hull will be returned to Newport and be moored at State Pier 9 on Washington St. where the final phases of construction will be achieved. In full view of the public, SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will be rigged, her wooden weather deck overlay will be added over the steel substrate and incidental finish work completed.

What work still needs to be completed?
This immense engineering project will include:
• Precise drawings to guide the shipyard as it constructs an upper deck.
• Plan all mechanical electronic, electrical, HVAC, piping, hydraulic, safety, fire suppression, disabled student access and berthing systems and receive American Bureau of Shipping and US Coast Guard approval for the plans.
• Insure compliance with all safety requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping.
• Design some wheelchair accessibility for the ship as practical.
• Design and evaluate an appropriate three-masted square-sail rig for the vessel.

Is this ship a replica?
No. It's not a replica and is not intended as a replica of any particular vessel, but it will bear a ‘family resemblance' to American naval vessels of the early 1800s.

Why is it made of steel and not wood?
Wood is a wonderful material for the fabrication of small craft, but after seeing the wear and tear of wooden tall ships for several decades, we're confident that both safety and maintenance challenges are better met with a steel hull. The SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will have a wooden deck laid over her structural steel deck and, wherever possible, additional wood may be used. Upper spars, pinrails, caprails on bulwarks, trim around deckhouses and more may be executed in wood. Fire safety and other regulatory issues will govern the use of wood throughout the ship's interior.

Who will be able to sail aboard the ship?
Aside from crew and educators, the ship will embark up to 36 ‘trainees'---education at sea participants---sometimes referred to as ‘voyage crew.' While the majority of the ship's programs will be geared to youth---mostly high school and college---there will be some general admission programs for adults and families. And some educational day sails for up to 86 people are also anticipated.

Can I be a passenger aboard the ship?
There will be many opportunities to sail aboard the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry but no passengers will ever be carried aboard the ship. Because she will be U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified under the Sailing School Vessel Regulations, all who sail aboard her will do so as student members of the ship's company fully participating in the ship's operation.

What sort of experience will I need to sign up for an education at sea session aboard the ship?
No particular experience or extraordinary fitness is required to sail aboard the ship. An individual of ordinary abilities ought to be able to participate in the ship's programs. Also, there will be some wheel-chair accessibility to the ship with programs crafted to meets the needs and abilities of wheel-chair occupants.

Will I have to climb the rigging?
Going aloft is an important part of operating a tall ship, but climbing the rig is not required by every person aboard. Willingness and some physical ability will be considered before allowing anyone aloft; decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis with an eye to the safety of both the ship and the individual.

Are there employment opportunities with the ship?
Yes, but not immediately. Sometime in 2012 when the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry returns to Newport for the final fit-out there should be openings for riggers, carpenters and possibly more. When the ship sails, probably later in 2013, there will be openings for licensed mates (minimum 500-ton auxiliary sail endorsed license); licensed engineer (minimum designated duty engineer or 3rd assistant engineer), able seamen (minimum able seaman/special/sail), ordinary seamen; deckhands and educators (credentials to be announced later).

Are there opportunities for volunteers with the ship?
Yes, especially with special events, just not onboard yet. Please visit www.OHPRI.org , Go to Ways to Give and download an application, and send it to OHPRI. There are also opportunities to volunteer at OHPRI events or to help the office with specific projects.

I want to build a model, how can I obtain plans or drawings of the ship?
In time, plans and drawings may be made available but we must point out that the ship, its design and image will be trademark protected, so any material provided would be for private non-commercial use.

How fast will the ship go?
The theoretical maximum speed of the ship under sail is probably about 13 knots. This is based on the concept of “hull speed”.