Baylake Bank has announced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 35
adventurous spirits to sail from Green Bay to Sturgeon Bay aboard the
square rig vessel U.S. Brig Niagara on Monday, July 31. According to Brig
Niagara Captain Walter Rybka, “Sailing onboard Niagara is an unusual
opportunity to experience the long-vanished world of the wooden square
rigged sailing ship. You are stepping into a pre-industrial society, to
see first-hand, and to lay your hands on, an ancient set of traditions.
The ship is a wind and muscle powered machine full of the sights, sounds,
and smells of maritime history . . .This is a relatively new ship (1988)
but carries on a very old process.”
The six-hour sail will be made available at no cost to 35 participants who
complete a brief essay describing why they want to be part of the
educational day-sail. No previous sailing experience is required for the
one-day Brig Niagara sail, which is designed as an introductory overview
for the completely uninitiated, but participants
must be at least physically fit enough to be ambulatory about the ship,
and comfortable with outdoor exposure for up to six hours. Also, the
Niagara is USCG certified as a Sailing School Vessel, which means that it
does not meet the same safety or ADA standards as a passenger vessel.
“Think of this daysail as a five hour hike or walking tour rather than a
cruise ship or bus tour,” said Captain Rybka. Minimum age for the July 31
sail is sixteen, but there is no maximum age.
The day of the sail includes 8:00 a.m. introductory briefing on the dock
near the ship; 8:30 muster on-board for safety orientation; 9:30
departure; 10:30-4:00 various maneuvers and drills, with frequent
informational musters; and arrival in Sturgeon Bay at approximately 4:00
p.m. Lunch will be provided on-board at approximately noon.
“I am absolutely thrilled that we are able to support the tall ships and
provide our community with opportunities to experience them,” said
Michelle Meacham, Baylake Bank Marketing Representative. “The quality
work, skill & experience, and rich history that are core elements of tall
ships are symbolic of Baylake Bank’s brand history and promise for the
future. I can’t think of a more perfect fit with what we are all about.”
Deadline for application to the educational day-sail is July 5, 2006. To
enter the essay contest, interested individuals must complete an
application form and write 250 or fewer words to answer the question “Why
I Should be on the Brig Niagara Day-sail.” The essays will be judged by
Robert Agnew, President & Chief Executive Officer – Peterson Industries,
Inc; Steve Kase, Baylake Bank General Counsel and retired Naval Officer;
and Meacham. Winning entrants will be informed by phone shortly
thereafter. Complete details and the application form are available at
www.baylake.com, and at any Baylake Bank Financial Center.
Baylake Bank, member FDIC, currently serves Wisconsin from 27 financial
centers throughout Brown, Door, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc,
Outagamie, Waupaca, and Waushara counties, and from its website. The
company is the title sponsor of the Baylake Bank Tall Ship festival
running July 27-31 in downtown Green Bay. In addition to the festival and
Brig Niagara day-sail, the bank is facilitating a sail-through Sturgeon
Bay as the ships depart en masse for Chicago on August 1.
