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Floating Fleet Day at CBMM May 31

On Saturday, May 31, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD will host Floating Fleet Day, where visitors can experience the Miles River aboard an authentic Chesapeake wooden workboat. For a nominal fee, 30-minute boat rides will be offered between noon and 3 p.m. aboard many of CBMM’s floating fleet, including the 1934 Hooper Island dovetail Martha, the 1912 river tug Delaware, the 1909 crab dredger Old Point, the 1931 Potomac River dory, the 2000 Smith Island crabbing skiff Volunteer, and the tuck-up stern, Jackson-built Pot Pie skiff.

1934 Bronza Parks-built Hooper Island dovetail Martha
1934 Bronza Parks-built Hooper Island dovetail Martha
“The museum has an amazing collection of workboats in the water and running,” said CBMM’s Assistant Curator of Watercraft Richard Scofield. “This is a great opportunity to get our members and the public out for a ride on them.”

The 30-minute Miles River boat rides are $12 per person, per ride and are scheduled for 12noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Space aboard these vessels is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting at 10 a.m. on the day of the event, tickets will be available for sale under the Hooper Strait Lighthouse, where participants can sign up for the boat and time slot desired.

The event is held in conjunction with the museum’s 10th Maritime Model Expo, which takes place Saturday & Sunday. The Model Expo offers pond demonstrations, model boat races, model boat exhibits, family activities, food, and more. Saturday also brings the St. Michaels Brew Fest to town, and may be a draw for visitors as well.

In addition to boat rides, demonstrations, and family activities, the Museum’s 12 exhibit buildings will be open to visitors. The two-day Model Expo is open to the public and free for CBMM members or $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students with college ID, $6 for kids ages 6-17, and kids under six free. Boat rides, select family activities, food and beverages are an additional cost. For more information, call CBMM at 410-745-2916 or visit www.cbmm.org