Rhode Island’s Marine Industry Welcomes the America’s Cup World Series 

There is a whirlwind of excitement and preparation taking place behind the scenes to ensure Newport, RI is ready for the final round of the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS), which will be held June 23- July 1. Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), with its 230 member companies dedicated to the growth in recreational boating, has representatives helping to coordinate facility upgrades, on- and off-water safety and logistics, as well as community presentations and events.

Fort Adams State Park in Newport is the event venue. With the support of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, significant upgrades have been made including improvements to roads in the park, the installation of new docks for the international fleet of AC45 catamarans competing in the World Series, and the construction of an AC Village and an Exploration Zone for children. 

“The America’s Cup World Series offers the opportunity for Rhode Island to show off its expansive marine industry and its capacity for world-class on-water competitions,” said Paul Harden, the Executive Director of America’s Cup Rhode Island and the marine industry representative at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. “We expect, through the permanent facility upgrades made to Fort Adams and infrastructure improvements throughout the State, that additional international sailing events, such as the Volvo Ocean Race, will be drawn to Newport.”

With an all-volunteer Board of approximately 40 professionals from around the state, and countless other volunteers on various sub-committees, The Rhode Island America’s Cup World Series Host Committee is charged with ensuring the necessary preparatory work is getting done. The Host Committee, chaired by Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, consists of several industry leaders. Michael Keyworth of Brewer Cove Haven represents RIMTA on the Host Committee Board and co-chairs the Marine sub-committee. Other RIMTA members on the Board include Alison Eichler, owner of Dutch Harbor Marina in Jamestown, Halsey Herreshoff of the Herreshoff Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol and Terry Nathan of the International Yacht Restoration School and the Museum of Yachting, located in Newport.

The ACWS has also drawn additional marine industry professionals to its very active sub-committees. Tricia Yeoman of Nautor’s Swan USA East has spent countless hours coordinating a public speaker series with a spotlight on well-known contributors to past and current America’s Cup events including Eric Goetz of Goetz Composites in Bristol, and Dirk Kramer, the AC45 designer, from Tiverton. Alison Eichler has been working with local and regional businesses to coordinate product donations for the ACWS Cocktail Celebration being held on June 8 at Fort Adams, which benefits Rhode Island’s Tall Ship, the Oliver Hazard Perry.

Several RIMTA member companies are providing goods and services for the America’s Cup World Series. Hall Spars & Rigging in Bristol has built the wing sails for the defenders, ORACLE Team USA, and several challengers. Naiad Inflatables of Newport, an Official Supplier to ORACLE Team USA, is building four RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) support vessels for the team’s AC45 and AC72 catamarans. The hulls of these boats are being built at New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, with painting by Diversified Finishes in Bristol.

Oldport Marine Services of Newport and Conanicut Marine Services of Jamestown are providing water shuttle service, around Newport Harbor and across Narragansett Bay. Newport Shipyard in Newport is providing dockage for support vessels and spectator boats. Rhode Island Bay Cruises is offering 3-hour America’s Cup sightseeing cruises on each day of the World Series, departing from their facility at Quonset Point in North Kingstown.

With 400 miles of coastline surrounding Narragansett Bay, world-renown boat building, superior products and services, exciting on-water competitions and destinations, the message is clear: Rhode Island is for boating enthusiasts.

Source : http://windcheckmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1399:rhode-islands-marine-industry-welcomes-the-americas-cup-world-series&catid=85:racing&Itemid=416