PHILADELPHIA, June 16, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Volunteering on the tall ship Gazela and the Tugboat Jupiter offers more than fun and a sense of adventure, it's educational as well! The Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild is beginning a Marine Engineering Training Program to prepare its volunteer crew members for engineering duties aboard the 1902 iron Tugboat Jupiter and the tall ship Gazela. Master chief engineer Dorn Yates will lead the class aboard the 1902 iron Tugboat Jupiter. First meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2003.
Trainees are expected to work at least one or more days a month aboard Jupiter performing on-the-job training tasks; successfully complete all study assignments, and purchase their own training materials and required personal equipment.
This is a pilot training program and not designed to qualify trainees for any professional U.S. Coast Guard licenses. However, many Guild members who began their maritime experience attending similar Guild-sponsored classes have gone on to earn professional Coast Guard licenses.
Although this and other Guild-sponsored maritime training classes are open to Guild members only, the Guild is always looking for new members. To learn how you can join the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild, or more about this training class, contact the Guild at 215-238-0280
The JUPITER was built in the Philadelphia shipyard of Neafie and Levy in 1902. From 1902 to 1939 she worked for the Sunoco Company towing fuel ships and barges. In 1939, Independent Pier Company of Philadelphia bought the tug and named her JUPITER. She worked along the Delaware River docking ships, towing barges and traveling the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. JUPITER worked with the Philadelphia Naval Yard during World War II and was the first tug to catch the lines of the USS NEW JERSEY during her launching.
JUPITER continued working in Philadelphia until 1980 when she was sold to the Eastern Towing Company of Boston. In 1989, the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild ("Guild"), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and maintaining historical vessels, bought the tug and returned her to Philadelphia. Currently, she is owned by the Penn's Landing Corporation, but maintained by the Guild. She takes part in educational programs, festivals and boat parades. JUPITER is also a functioning tug, helping the tall ship GAZELA, which is also maintained by the volunteers of the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. Children may remember her as part of the group of ships that welcomed the tugboat THEODORE when it came to Philadelphia.
Jupiter is maintained and operated by a volunteer group of active and retired tugboat professionals and enthusiasts. New volunteers are always welcome.
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