Official Dedication of the Blue Marlin Pirate Ship at Camp Sam Hatcher, Newport After months of construction under the watchful and eager eyes of campers at Camp Sam Hatcher, Newport, the completed Blue Marlin Pirate Ship was officially dedicated on Tuesday evening, June 24. The structure was the culmination of fundraising efforts from the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament along with matching funds from the East Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America. Ben Moore, Past Council President ECC BSA and President-Big Rock Foundation was tapped to give the Welcome and Introductions. Brian Snow, Croatan District, gave the invocation which was followed by the flag ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance with a Color Guard consisting of Pack 446 Wolf Scout Trevor O Brien, along with Troop 446 Scouts Travis Rose and Ethan Ybanez. Dr. Bill Walker, Vice President-Program, ECC BSA spoke on the importance and significance of the Pirate Ship in relation to the Scouting program. Both Russell Proctor, President, ECC BSA and Pat Griffin, Vice President-Property gave recognition and words of appreciation to the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament for their generous support and sponsorship. Tommy Bennet, Past President, Chairman, Charity Committee, Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament gave an official response. He explained that in the building of this Pirate Ship, Scouts have been given quite a generous gift from people they probably don t know and will maybe never meet individually. He then asked the Scouts to look around at all the other Scouts in uniform and he offered a challenge. You ve been given a gift and in the near future you will be the future leaders in Scouting who will offer a gift to the next generation. It s that spirit of Scouting, leadership and volunteerism that is your gift to future Scouts. Look back on the generosity of this day and always be aware of what your response will be. A printed program offered Thanks to all who made the Big Rock Blue Marlin Pirate Ship possible for the youth of Eastern North Carolina and East Carolina Council, BSA. On hand for the dedication at Camp Sam Hatcher were representatives from the Big Rock Blue Marlin Charity First, Tommy Bennett, Chair; Pirate Ship Committee members: Ben Moore, Skip Greene, III, Pat Griffin, Hank Dierker and Scout Executive Ray Franks; also construction by Group III Management - Harry Cummings Co. : Skip Greene, III and Greg Theodorakis, and finally Landscaping by Brian Fetzer. The evening concluded with catered refreshments under the nearby Pavilion.
Prior to the opening formalities, as Ben Moore (at table) prepared and a local news photographer framed his shot, three-year-old Scout sibling David O Brien didn t waste any time stealing away to the largest Pirate Ship he s ever seen. This sign greets visitors to the new Pirate Ship along with a new gravel road, pathway, and newly seeded landscaping.
The rear of the Pirate Ship includes an external stairway and access. The interior of the ship has an additional stairway as well as lighting and two separate rooms for overnight campers. The Pirate Ship can be reserved by groups for a nightly fee. Assembled here are the very first of many a motley crew who will enjoy spirited fun and excitement aboard the Big Rock Pirate Ship at Camp Sam Hatcher.
Ben Moore, Past Council President, ECC BSA, and Past President, Big Rock Foundation, raised the Scout sign to bring to order the assembled guests and begin the dedication ceremony with a warm welcome and an introduction of invited guests and speakers. Next to him on the table is the Scout statue presented to the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in appreciation for their generous support and funding of the Pirate Ship with appreciation from the East Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Proudly serving as Color Guard for the opening Flag Ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance were (left to right) Pack 446 Wolf Scout Trevor O Brien (with Pirate eye patch), along with Troop 446 Scouts Travis Rose and Ethan Ybanez. Taking part in the dedication ceremony (left to right): Dr. Bill Walker, Vice President- Program, ECC BSA, Pat Griffin, Vice President-Properties, ECC BSA, Russell Proctor, Council President, ECC BSA, Ben Moore, Past Council President, ECC BSA, and Past President, Big Rock Foundation and Skip Greene, III, Past President, ECC BSA.
Observing the champagne christening of the Pirate Ship are (left to right) Pat Griffin, Skip Greene (doing the honors), Russell Proctor and Ben Moore. Among the first two Pirates with a view from the bow were two Cub Scouts from Pack 446 Cape Carteret, Den 3 Wolf Trevor O Brien and Den 5 Bear Derrik Smith. Scout Executive Ray Franks awarded each Scout dressed in Pirate costume a special edition jamboree size council strip patch for their uniform. (see below)
Decked out in full Pirate regalia for the Pirate Ship Dedication were (left to right) Tracy Sanderson, Ellie Gray (2), Monica Kruse, Cubmaster Pack 551, Tracy Kruse, Webelos Den Leader Pack 551, Chartered Organization Representative, Troop 272, Samuel Sanderson, Webelos Pack 551, and Vernon Burdick, Committee Member, Pack 272.
These washroom facilities adjacent to the Pirate Ship have been remodeled and upgraded with funds also donated from the Blue Marlin Tournament Charity. All new fixtures, paneling and painted wood are a welcome upgrade to the facilities and will also serve groups who can reserve an overnight on the adjoining Pirate Ship.
Following the dedication, a light reception with refreshments was held in the nearby Pavilion. Enjoying the repast are Jim Ward (in uniform) Committee Board Member and Neuse Basin Chairman, and (right) Jamie Rose, past Treasurer Pack 446, current Troop 446 Committee Member, Advancement Chair.