RESTORATION LOG #49 - 26 November 2007

Have you heard the news? The cruise vessel “Explorer” sank in sub-Antarctic waters, and all hands are saved! Wonderful news!

We laugh when disparaging fellows say, “Glacier is too old.” Your team knows better! Glacier today is immensely stronger and more capable than any of the so-called “Antarctic cruise vessels.” The Glacier is double hulled, contains five separate watertight engine room spaces, dozens of watertight bulkheads, and multiple compartments and decks within those bulkheads as well. Additionally, the armor-plated steel hull is not simply an after-thought add on; it is solid, super- strength steel, measuring well over an inch thick! Please keep that in mind.

We predicted this event years ago when passenger vessels began cruising into the perilous waters of the Antarctic. It was only a matter of time, and lucky indeed, that the weather was calm. What would have been the result of this vessel hitting a submerged object with the prevailing heavy winds and seas that are more typical in these waters? I think we all know - a total disaster!

We were planning to write you all this past weekend, and this event brings our mission clearly into focus. Since our May-Day message last year, we have been silent, but lots of things were going on under the radar. Here is what we accomplished this past year:

Our Senators and Congressmen came to the rescue and provided security for Glacier well into 2008. Glacier remains on “HOLD” by MARAD (Maritime Administration) and we are earnestly engaged with two campaigns: first, a permanent home in Bridgeport as a museum; and second, restoration as originally planned, sharing homeports in Florida and Connecticut.

Arctic Gayle (Glacier’s 26 ft. motor whale boat) is running with the Sea Cadets of Fort Lauderdale in command. Visit the Glacier website for more details.

Arctic Scout (Glacier’s 40 ft. research vessel) has been totally rebuilt with the support of dozens of firms under the leadership of Caterpillar Corporation, Dometic AB and Brewer’s Pilot’s Point Marina in Westbrook, CT., our three largest and leading supporters. (Visit the website to see the full listing of supporters.) We must recognize Rives Potts, Brewer’s General Manager, who led the restoration effort and kept faith with us as we struggled to get the parts donated and continue to struggle with paying off the yard labor bills. Arctic Scout is being operated by a mix of Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, Boy and Girl Scouts and Environmental Youth Groups along the Connecticut shoreline.

Our Washington teams of maritime architects, polar explorers, environmental crusaders, world health experts and a few brilliant politicians have not given up! Our dedication is steadfast, our mission noble, and the plans are financially sound. We have been running silent and deep, focusing our energy among the few and pushing toward our goal. As always, we need financial support, COLD CASH would do better than the COLD WEATHER! We were out on Long Island Sound yesterday with the Arctic Scout training boat operators and some children as well.

Remember, the Glacier Society has no paid employees. We are 100% volunteer and depend upon your donations of material, labor and funds to maintain our operations. Please include us in your year-end financial planning and gift giving; our youth groups need your support.

Please have a very Happy Holiday Season and keep an eye out for Santa!

Thanks for your continued support!

Ben Koether
Chairman

Come join the party! IF YOU CAN NOT BE THERE IN PERSON, PLEASE DONATE.

RESTORATION LOG #48 - 02 April 2007

We had an outstanding response from members of Congress who have encouraged MARAD (Maritime Administration) to hold Glacier in her donation status until Congress has had an opportunity to add funding to this year's budget request.

We especially wish to acknowledge the support of Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Kyl (R-AZ), and Congressmen Chris Shays (R-4 CT), John Larson (D-1 CT), and Rob Simmons (R-2 CT).

Good News! The conversion of Arctic Scout continues on a tight schedule to get her sailing with the Sea Scouts, Sea Cadets and Boy Scouts this summer. Last week we received a donation of electrical parts from Marinco. You will be reading more soon on our website about this significant donation which we value at over $10,000.

We still need significant contributions! Keep them coming!!

The Arctic Gayle sees Boy Scouts enthusiastically using the boat. Additional youth groups are in discussions for the use of the boat.

IPY: The International Polar Year is getting started with a big PR push in Washington. Unfortunately, we were not successful in finding federal agency support for Glacier so she will not participate in this program. A tragedy, but simply put, we have not been able to garner enough support from the "GREEN COMMUNITY," Arctic Community constituents, or a medical foundation in such force as to launch the funding of Glacier.

We are making one last effort in Washington and among the environmental and medical community. It is very difficult to reconcile the reception we receive everywhere, "What a wonderful and economical idea the Glacier Society represents. It makes perfect logic. You should have no problem raising the money!" Well that has not been the case and there is very little time left before Glacier will be headed for the scrap pile.

Regardless, the Glacier Society will continue with the Youth Program to memorialize Admiral Byrd's efforts and his inclusion of America's youth leadership.

Thanks for your continued support.

BEN KOETHER
Chairman

Come join the party! IF YOU CAN NOT BE THERE IN PERSON, PLEASE DONATE.

BACK TO CURRENT LOGS