3-day 'escape the heat' voyage offered in July

Ashley Garner
The Post and Courier

The Spirit of South Carolina leads the way to Charleston's Maritime Center in May, while helping to escort the Freedom Schooner Amistad in the far distance.

The Spirit of South Carolina tall ship is headed north for the summer to avoid hurricane season and is offering an opportunity to hitch a short ride.

The 140-foot-long wooden ship is offering a three-day "escape the heat" New England adventure next month, sailing out of Newport, R.I., to Martha's Vineyard, and back. The trip will depart July 26 and return July 28, at a cost of $600 per person.

Meaghan Van Liew, deputy director of the S.C. Maritime Foundation, said Thursday that insurance coverage requires the vessel to leave Charleston during the hurricane season. The ship departed earlier this month and will return in October.

The mission of the nonprofit Spirit is listed as a floating classroom, taking students for day trips and other, longer voyages to learn the responsibilities, science and lore of the oceans. The three-day trip is not a pure education excursion for youths, but Van Liew said it is being offered as an event between other scheduled trips. The mission is not changing, she said, and the trip will include education sessions.

During the summer, the vessel and her crew of nine is making several stops along the East Coast while traveling north, and is in the Washington, D.C., area now. Other planned stops for the ship include the Merrimack River Maritime Festival and the Prince Edward Island Schooner Race.

Space on the Rhode Island-to-Martha's Vineyard trip is limited to 19 guests, who must get to Newport on their own. Once on board, guests are invited to be as hands-on as they wish. The itinerary could be altered based on factors such as the weather.

For more information, contact the South Carolina Maritime Foundation at (843) 722-1030. A 50 percent deposit is required at the time of booking.

Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postand courier.com.