Background
Friendship of Salem is currently out of port for repair and inspection. This page provides updates on Friendship's ongoing repairs and her anticipated return date will be posted here, when determined.
Friendship left Salem on October 7,2011 for her annual haul-out (the ship equivalent of an annual physical examination), where the hull of the vessel can be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and repaired, if necessary. She is currently located at Fairhaven Shipyard in Fairhaven, MA.
Latest Update
May 15th, 2012
The final stages of work on Friendship are wrapping up. The volunteer crew will begin prepping the ship over the next two weeks for a return voyage to Salem. A specific return date is still to-be-determined, currently estimated at late May - early June. The date will be posted here when work is complete and the return trip itinerary is finalized.
March 19th, 2012
As of this morning, the final stage of contract work on Friendship has begun! The park expects work to be completed by the marine contractor within the six-week period specified by the contract. If no unanticipated repairs are identified in this last stage of work and weather conditions cooperate, Friendship should be returning home on/around May 1st. An exact return date/time will be posted when work is complete. This page will be updated with more information in mid-April.
January 19th, 2012
Friendship is in Fairhaven, MA awaiting finalization of a commercial marine contract to address the unanticipated repairs identified in November 2011. Small-scale carpentry and systems repairs continue on the ship as park staff prepare Friendship for the next stage of work. A timetable for Friendship's return to Salem remains to-be-determined until the final marine contract is approved.
December 6, 2011
Friendship is still at Fairhaven Shipyard in Fairhaven, Massachusetts undergoing maintenance and U.S. Coast Guard-required inspections. We identified unanticipated repairs during the latest inspection. We are currently working with the U.S. Coast Guard and Fairhaven Shipyard to repair and certify Friendship for a return to Salem in late winter 2012, work schedule permitting.
October 9, 2011
Friendship has arrived at the Fairhaven Shipyard in Fairhaven, Mass. She's just across the harbor from our friends at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and you can clearly see her from the waterfront there. Photos are posted below.
