WHY MARITIME RI
A New Name. An Expanded Mission. The Same Commitment.
For more than a decade, Maritime RI (OHPRI) has delivered life-changing maritime education programming aboard the SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, the largest civilian full-rigged sailing school vessel in the United States. As our programs, partnerships, and statewide impact have grown, our organization has evolved beyond a name tied to a single asset.
To reflect the full scope of our work — today and into the future — we are proud to introduce our new identity: Maritime Rhode Island. This evolution allows us to better represent who we are, who we serve, and where we are headed — while honoring the legacy that brought us here.
What Remains the Same?
- The SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY will serve as our flagship, and the primary platform we use to deliver our programming.
- We are committed to youth education, leadership, and workforce development.
- Our partners, values, and standards of excellence remain unchanged.
- We strongly believe that access to the sea changes lives for the better.
What’s New?
- We are expanding our identity as a statewide resource for the people of Rhode Island.
- We are actively seeking a new “Homeport” for the organization and ship in Providence, Rhode Island’s Capital City.
- We are expanding the reach of our programming and events to deliver our mission ashore, not just aboard the ship.
A Clearer Public Message
Maritime Rhode Island reflects a mission that emphasizes our commitment to maritime education, STEM and workforce development, heritage preservation, and community engagement across the Ocean State.
Our new name is inclusive, easier to understand, and positioned for long-term growth beyond any single vessel or program. Messaging becomes clearer for funders, families, and institutions.
Why Providence?
- Places Maritime RI closer to schools, universities, and workforce partners
- Strengthens access for urban and underserved communities
- Aligns us with Rhode Island’s education, innovation, and nonprofit hubs
- Expands opportunities for collaboration and scale
What This Means
- Existing partnerships continue uninterrupted
- Program quality, safety, and impact remain central
- New opportunities for collaboration and scale may emerge
- The SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY continues as the core of Maritime Rhode Island’s offerings, including traditional underway and dockside programming.
Looking Ahead
Maritime Rhode Island positions the Ocean State as a leader in maritime education, workforce pathways, and heritage — a community truly Empowered by the Sea.