Dear Mariners,

For more than a year, the Northland Sea Scouts and their ship the SSS Northland (52), formally the USS Phoenix (TWR 771), former U.S. Navy torpedo weapons retriever, have been unable to leave the dock at Port Richmond because of engine failure.

Jon Sargent, President of the Northland Nautical Foundation, explained that a year ago the starboard 16-cylinder engine failed after leaving the Richmond centennial celebration. The scouts bought a replacement for $5000 in Southern California. On 9 March 2007, Foss Maritime provided towing services to the Manson Construction's dock where the rebuilt engine is being installed.

Sargent explained, that funding is needed for some final parts to get the engine ready to run once installed. "We also need fuel - a lot of fuel as the ship uses 30 gallons per hour - several thousand gallons would help greatly, as well as 4 barrels of 30 weight oil." "We need some maintenance materials for both the ship (deck work) and our new land sea base which is being built under the dock on graving dock four in the Port."

Several maritime industry companies have provided assistance (Port Richmond, Foss Maritime Co., Manson Construction and other local firms) and the scouts are doing what they can to raise funds for essential parts. However, the scouts need more help to get the Northland seaworthy.

I became interested in the Northland Sea Scouts while working as a deckhand/engineer aboard the tugboat American Eagle, Oscar Neimeth Towing (ONT), at Port Richmond. I noticed the scouts working on the Northland, but I never saw it leave the dock. When I learned of the trouble the scouts were having I realized how disheartening it must be for the kids to work on a vessel that cannot leave the dock. Imagine being a kid working on a ship that can't leave the dock. I decided to help them.

My work as a marine consultant made me aware of the vast shortage of people interested and knowledgeable in the maritime industry. This would include mariner resources to crew vessels.

Organizations that foster the growth and development of inspiration and enthusiasm in our youth are rare. The Northland Nautical Foundation is one of those rare organizations that work serving the kids interest in and for the maritime industry and community. Keeping kids interest high and on the right track, focused and out of trouble.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) originally chartered the Northland Sea Scouts chapter in Berkeley, California, in 1933. The charter is always seeking new recruits, who must be boys ages 14 to 18.

Any contribution amount is worthwhile here. With a little help, the Northland Sea Scouts can be underway toward advancing their maritime skills and learn about becoming mariners for all of us.

The Northland Sea Scouts website:  http://www.hometown.aol.com/sssnorthland/
Jon Sargent can be contacted at:  SSSNorthland@aol.com

To make a 501(c) tax-deductible donation to the Northland Sea Scout program, please make checks payable to:

NORTHLAND NAUTICAL FOUNDATION
PO Box 5165
Richmond, CA 94805

Yours truly,

Derek Conant
E-mail:  derek@derekconant.com

Derek Conant & Associates
2020 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. #453
Washington, D.C. 20006  U.S.A.