BOSTON (WBSM) — New Bedford’s historic Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey will sail this year to Cabo Verde after Senator Mark Montigny secured the necessary funding today to make the trip happen in honor of the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence.
According to Sen. Montigny’s Office, his amendment to the legislature’s most recent supplemental budget provides for $100,000 “for the capital needs and equipment necessary for the Schooner to ‘sail to Cape Verde in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the island nation’s independence and strong cultural connection between its people and the diaspora in the city of New Bedford and across the United States.”
Montigny had also worked for years to secure the necessary funding for the restoration of the Ernestina-Morrissey. The seven-year restoration was completed in 2022.
As the official vessel of the Commonwealth, the Ernestina-Morrissey is under the control of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and a 2020 law drafted by Montigny “requires MMA to collaborate with the New Bedford Cape Verdean Community to ‘ensure the vessel is made available to local public-school children and residents of the city of New Bedford” at no cost during cultural events and educational programs,'” according to Sen. Montingy’s Office.
As such, the Ernestina-Morrissey will be in New Bedford and docked at New Bedford State Pier during Cape Verdean Recognition Week, beginning Sunday, June 29. Originally, the vessel had been scheduled to travel across the Great Lakes that same week.
However, Montingy worked with MMA Admiral Francis McDonald to “uphold the letter and spirit of this law” to ensure the Ernestina-Morrissey would be in New Bedford for the 50th anniversary of Cape Verdean independence.
“Despite longstanding discussions and law centered around the importance of the vessel’s connection to the New Bedford Cape Verdean diaspora, we were very disappointed to learn that the Ernestina had been scheduled to travel across the Great Lakes region during the Cape Verdean 50th anniversary celebration,” Montigny said. “This was an absolute violation of the spirit of our agreement and law to ensure the vessel’s longtime prosperity while honoring its cultural connection and importance to New Bedford and the Cape Verdean community.”
“I thank Admiral McDonald for his intervention and willingness to always listen and respond to our concerns as well as advisory board chair Jose Centeio for his tireless commitment to the Ernestina,” he said.
