The Dee of St. Mary’s mast was re-stepped (re-installed) thanks to the collective teamwork of many people and local businesses. Because a large crane was necessary to lift the 76-foot-mast, the Calvert Marine Museum reached out to SMECO for help. SMECO enlisted the assistance of Southern Maryland Crane Rental, Inc. and their contribution made this re-stepping possible. Hours of tender loving care from the Patuxent Small Craft Guild, Dee captains, and crew members over the winter have this historic skipjack another step closer to raising sail for the 2016 season.
While safety compliant Coast Guard inspections are conducted yearly, pulling the Dee’s mast out for a physical inspection is only done every 10 years. Work began back in November when SMECO and Southern Maryland Crane Rental assisted with removing the Dee’s mast. The Patuxent Small Craft Guild members, Dee of St. Mary’s captains and crew members worked diligently over the winter to clean and refinish the wood, and replace most of the rigging and the hardware. Their work also included repair and refinishing of the boom.
The Dee of St. Mary’s was commissioned and built in 1979 in Piney Point, Maryland. Originally used as a commercial oyster fishing boat for 10 years, she is now a floating classroom educating children about the history of the Chesapeake Bay. Public sails aboard the Dee begin in May and will go throughout the summer; public charters are available.
