Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust

The Invasion of the Pirates is On!

2006-05-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Annual Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla is set for Saturday, Oct 7, 2006 during Riverfest in historic downtown Wilmington, NC.

This year's Invasion will be bigger and badder than ever. Sinbad, aboard the Meka II, will be along to help take the city. A surprise Tall ship may join the siege.

So swab the decks, load up the cannons, deck your ship and join the Invasion. Registration now open. Here's the form matey. Free dockage will be provided on a first come basis. All hands will enjoy the Pirate's Pre-Invasion Party Friday night. Check back for more info on the treasure hunt and other events.

Brought to you by WHET

The Nina in Port

2006-05-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

The The Nina is docked in Wilmington, you can watch the activity from the WECT WebCam.

Click Here to Watch

WHET Thanks our Sponsors and WECT for the extra special media coverage provided.

Finding the Nina

2006-04-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Nina arrives in Wilmington, NC on Tuesday, May 2, 2006.

While in port, the general public is invited to visit the ship for a walk aboard self-guided tour every day of the week. From Wednesday May 3rd to Sunday May 7th. The prices are $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for senior citizens (60+), and $3.00 for students. Children 4 and under are Free. The ship will be open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No reservations necessary.

The ship will be docked at the Conlon Dock located at 503 Nutt Street. The Dock is the northernmost point of the downtown Riverwalk, located behind the Coastline Inn and Convention Center and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Take Market Street (west) towards the river. Turn Right on N Water Street. Water Street will curve right at the Railroad Museum. Turn left on Nutt Street. Plenty of parking at the Convention Center and on the Street.

Call the Wilmington Visitor's Center at (910) 341-4030 for additional directions.

April Membership Update

2006-04-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

New members include John Hooten, Bob and Marilyn McKoy and Watermark Marine Inc.

Renewing members include Paul Bennett, Jason Thompson, Robert Pearsall, Cookie and Tom Armstrong and Wilmington Downtown, Inc.

Click to join WHET

The Nina is Coming!

2006-03-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

The Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust announces that on Wednesday May 3rd, the “Nina”, a replica of Columbus’ favorite ship will open in Wilmington, NC. The ship will be docked at Conlon Dock, 503 Nutt St., behind the Coastline Convention Center, until her departure early Monday morning May 8th.

Built completely by hand and without the use of any power tools, Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.” The craftsmanship of construction and the details in the rigging make it a truly fascinating visit back to the Age of Discovery. The ‘Nina’ was used in the production of the film 1492’ starring Gerard Depardieu and directed by Ridley Scott.

The ‘Nina’ was built in Bahia, Brazil by the Columbus Foundation which is based in the British Virgin Islands. The ship has been touring continually since 1992 as a ‘sailing museum’ for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the ‘caravel’, a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world.

While in port, the general public is invited to visit the ship for a walk aboard self-guided tour every day of the week. The prices are $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for senior citizens, and $3.00 for students. Children 4 and under are Free. The ship will be open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No reservations necessary.

Teachers or groups wishing to schedule a 30 minute guided group tour with a crew member can call the ship at 1-787-421-0402, or email columfnd@surfbvi.com. Minimum of 15. Visit our website at www.thenina.com for additional information. The ship arrives on Tuesday May 2nd and there will be a private viewing of the ship for the media after docking.

Columbus Foundation Inc., British Virgin Islands,
Phone (284) 495-4618 Fax (284) 495-4616
email columfnd@surfbvi.com
The Nina, Ltd., Georgetown, Grand Cayman, BWI,

Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust (WHET) Join WHET by visiting our website and help us bring more ships and docking to downtown Wilmington.

Board Minutes, February 7

2006-02-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

WHET
Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust, Inc.
Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, February 7, 2006

President Bruce McGuire called the meeting to order at 1740 in the Cellar at Prima, 35 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC.

Directors Present: Bruce McGuire, Joy Allen, Mike McCarley, Paul Sullins, Nancy Bullock, Gene Merritt, Diane Boissiere, Alan Smith and Ronald Wilson.

Guests: Wilmington Dockmaster RT Jones, Allison Merritt and founding member Jim Bath

Directors Absent: Lynda Weil and Richard Eisenman

Minutes from the Tuesday, January 10, 2006 meeting were approved. Treasurer Nancy Bullock reported a balance of $6,645 in the WHET account. The balance reflects payment of $250 for membership in the American Sail Training Association and payment of $150 for WHET web site hosting.

Riverfest Coordination Meeting Report. Mike McCarley reported that a conference he attended with City of Wilmington staffers Gary Shell and Wendy Larimer and WHET President Bruce McGuire and Paul Sullins to outline plans for the Invasion of the Pirates in 2006 went well. WHET’s purpose, as determined during the Board’s January 2006 meeting, was to propose that the Invasion take place under the umbrella of Riverfest’s activities, but that its finances be kept apart. This would mean that WHET would have to provide liability insurance for Invasion of the Pirates activities and cover all costs of the event, but would be able to establish a separate budget and raise its own funds. Gary and Wendy indicated that the next step would be to seek approval from City Manager Sterling Cheatham.

Market Street Docks. RT Jones reported that the City’s formal request for bids to construct floating docks at the foot of Market Street went out a week ago. Bids should be in by March. If approved, work should be done by this summer.

Waterfront Bulkhead Replacement. RT Jones also noted that the City is moving ahead with plans to renovate the deteriorated bulkhead between the riverwalk and the Hilton Hotel’s property. The project will include running new power and water lines to waterfront docks currently lacking them. Because this project will be quite disruptive to the riverwalk, it will not begin until after the 2006 boating season is over.

City of Wilmington Marina Ordinance. Gene Merritt noted that the City reportedly has brought its definition of a marina in line with the State’s, but he has not reviewed the changes. Gene will follow the issue and report next month.

Rowing Club Relocation. Joy Allen reported that the Wilmington Rowing Club has had no luck in finding a new location for its boathouse. The land they’re using now has been sold. The club is lobbying for space that could become available if the May 2nd Parks, Facilities and Greenspace Bond Referendum succeeds.

Invasion of the Pirates.

Budget. President McGuire tabled a preliminary budget for this event, calling for the receipt and expenditure of $37,000. This total would cover the costs of two tall ships, advertising, the pre-invasion party, gifts and prizes forejudges and contestants, the shadow players and extra security. The Board supported this budget and Diane Boissiere suggested we invite an experienced fund raiser, Paul Kennedy, to our next meeting to discuss strategies.

Early Promotion. Various board members suggested that we use WHET’s Maritime Day display station as an opportunity to promote Invasion of the Pirates events. Paul Sullins and Nancy Bullock proposed that WHET members at our booth be dressed as pirates to recruit participants and donors. Paul Sullins agreed to research possibilities to make our booth more professional-looking, possibly with a new banner, visual displays about the Pirate Invasion and updated activity information. Diane Boissiere noted that the Children’s Museum, which is tentatively scheduled to open in April, would be an excellent venue for passing information about pirates and the invasion out to local children.

Committees. All Board members noted that committees are open to all members of WHET and that volunteers would be warmly welcomed. Committees were established with responsibilities and members as indicated in the following summary:

1. Sponsorships Committee – Mike McCarley, Gene Merritt, Bruce McGuire
A. Identify and contact / enlist sponsors
B. Set up sponsorship levels and programs
C. Coordinate sponsored activities

2. Advertising and Promotion Committee – Diane Boissiere, Joy Allen, Paul Sullins, Bruce McGuire
A. Create and distribute flyers geared towards participants
B. Coordinate media advertising
C. Website design and updates
D. Select Judges
E. Obtain trophies for each judging category
F. Obtain Judge’s Gifts

3. Riverfest and DBA Liaison Committee – Ron Wilson, Bruce McGuire, Diane Boissiere
A. Coordinate with Riverfest Committee to avoid conflict with other
events
B. Coordinate and work with DBA on Children’s Treasure Hunt

4. Rules and Logistics Committee – Bruce McGuire, Alan Smith, Mike McCarley,
RT Jones, Dick Eisenman, Paul Sullins
A. Receive registration forms and fees and record each registrant
B. Coordinate docking arrangements
C Set flotilla start time and route (7:15 last year)
D. Create rules and distribute to participants
E. Organize and handle captain’s meeting
F. Obtain Coast Guard Permit (must be applied for 60 days
before event)
G. Arrange for security at docks if necessary
H. Handle arrangements for judge’s station.
I. Determine judging categories

5. Entertainment Committee – Nancy Bullock Lynda Weil, Diane Boissiere,
Allison Merritt
A. Organize Pre-invasion Party
Location
Catering and beverages
Entertainment
Decorations
Captain’s gift bags
B. Shadow Players or Other Street Entertainers
C. Arranging for catering and beverages for Tall Ship parties if necessary

6. Tall Ship Committee – Paul Sullins, Bruce McGuire, Dick Eisenman
A. Contact Tall Ships that will be in the area and recruit one or two
B. Coordinate services and docking
C. Coordinate with Entertainment Committee for Party Arrangements
D. Provide ground transportation for crew if necessary

Action Items. Gene Merritt suggested that we need a liaison to the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) immediately. Diane Boissiere agreed to be our liaison and to attend DBA’s meeting on 8 February (the next day). Bruce reported that the Coast Guard requires 135 days notice of a “marine event” such as the pirates’ flotilla. An application package must be sent to the USCG station at Ft. Macon. Nancy Bullock volunteered to submit the application.

New Board Members. President McGuire asked for nomination to fill vacancies on the WHET Board. Several names were suggested, and members in closest contact to them offered to make contact.

The next Board meeting will be held at 1730 in the Cellar at Prima, 35 North Front Street, on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. ALL WHET MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND BOARD MEETINGS.

The meeting was adjourned at 1845.

Downtown Docking

2006-02-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

City of Wilmington, Dockmaster R.T. Jones introduction to docking downtown. Click Here

Website Updated

2005-12-29T10:03:00.000-08:00

Visit the new WHET website and check back soon for more information on the 2006 Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla. The website now has an online memership application. Consider joining now.

Happy New year

The Shadow Players

2005-11-23T05:31:00.000-08:00

WHET hosted the Shadow Players during the Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla Weekend. For more pictures click here and more about them click here

Roaming Pirates on the streets and Riverwalk added a lot to the theme of the weekend.

Online Docking Application

2005-11-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

The City of Wilmington has an online docking application

2006 Board of Directors

2005-11-15T08:44:00.000-08:00

The following members will be serving on the Board of Directors for 2006.

Joy Allen
Diane Boissiere
Nancy Bullock – Treasurer
Dick Eisenman
Mike McCarley
Bruce McGuire - President
Gene Merritt
Dean Scarfoni
Alan Smith – Secretary
Paul Sullins – Vice President
Lynda Weil
Ron Wilson

Invasion of the Pirate Flotilla 2006

2005-11-15T08:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, WHET is going to do it again. Stay tuned for details, registration and sponsorship opportunites. Start collecting your pirate gear, 2006 is going to be HUGE.

Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla 2005 - Pre-Invasion Party

2005-11-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

A hearty time was had by all. Special thanks to the crew of One Tree Hill for the decorations and our sponsors. [View Slide Show]

Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla 2005 - Treasure Hunt

2005-11-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

Special thanks to organizer Diane Boissiere and the downtown merchants who participated in the Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla Treasure Hunt. [View Slide Show]

Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla 2005 - Best of Show

2005-11-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Bob & Marilyn McKoy. Blackbeard's Babies.

Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla 2005 - Best Decorations

2005-11-15T06:06:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Residents of Old Wilmington

Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla 2005 - Best Costume Winner

2005-11-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Summer Duck.

Welcome

2005-11-15T05:36:00.000-08:00

The Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust of Wilmington, NC welcomes you to our Blog. Our website

We are the proud sponsors of the Invasion of the Pirates Flotilla during Riverfest.