Through a grant from the Miles River Yacht Club Foundation, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will be addressing boater safety at its September 2 Charity Boat Auction by providing free life jackets with boats auctioned off at the event.
“Thanks to the generosity of the MRYC Foundation, all our motored and large sailing auction boats will be equipped with a 4-pack of life jackets,” said CBMM President Kristen Greenaway. “Both our organizations are passionate about being safe out on the Chesapeake, and this gift facilitates that in a meaningful way.”
The MRYC Foundation makes grants of funds and equipment to non-profit organizations that offer maritime-focused educational programs. In the Foundation’s first five years, more than $300,000 in grants were made to 25 non-profit organizations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“We want people to be able to experience all the Chesapeake Bay has to offer,” said Marshall Patterson, chair of the MRYC Foundation. “Our hope is that these life jackets will allow them to do so in a safe way.”
On Saturday, September 2, more than 100 boats—ranging in size and performance from sailing dinghies to cabin cruisers, and everything in between—will be in the water and on land to be auctioned off to the highest bidders at CBMM’s 20th Annual Charity Boat Auction. All auction boats are listed at cbmm.org/auctionboats, with updates made daily as more boats are donated to CBMM. The website also includes auction rules and information on how to place an advanced or sealed bid.
Guests can preview all the auction boats at the museum on Thursday, August 31, and Friday, September 1, from 9 to 5 p.m., with advanced bids accepted until 2 p.m. on September 1. Boats can also be previewed beginning at 8 a.m. on September 2, with the live auction beginning at 11 a.m. Barbecue will be available for purchase at 10 a.m., with beer available at 10:30 a.m.
For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home or on boats during CBMM festivals, including the Charity Boat Auction. Leashed dogs are only permitted on CBMM’s campus during non-festival days.
Proceeds from the rain or shine event benefit the children and adults served by CBMM. To donate a boat or for a fully updated listing of the boats up for auction, please call 410-745-4942 or email [email protected].
