Page 37: of Marine News Magazine (February 2015)

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NAVAL ARCHITECTURE “In particular, our local senior marine inspectors, Douglas

Olson and Thomas Alho with the USCG Sector New

Orleans, Domestic Vessel Inspections Branch, have been tremendously hands-on in lending their expertise.” – Mark Masor, Gibbs & Cox Naval Architect

Huckins Yacht Co. in Florida was another producer. To make the boat fully operational, some designs had

The Higgins and Elco designs used a planing-type hull, to be modi? ed. ”The challenge is to restore the vessel to developed for racing boats. The PT-305, with a sharp V historical accuracy while making it compliant with today’s at the bow that softens to a ? at bottom at the stern, lifted Coast Guard standards,” New Orleans-based volunteer out of the water at high speeds. With a layered hull over a and naval architect Mark Masor with Gibbs & Cox in Vir- wood frame, these vessels were light, but strong and resil- ginia said.

ient enough to stand up in heavy seas, Robert Stengl, the The vessel will be launched in Lake Pontchartrain in

National WWII Museum’s boat builder and logistics en- early 2016. After that it might visit several ports along the gineer, said last month. The PT-305’s wood construction Gulf Coast. “Once the restoration is complete, PT-305 allowed it to be repaired near the front lines. will go back on the water in an as-yet-determined capaci-

A number of PT boats were set on ? re when WWII end- ty,” said Kacey Hill, spokeswoman for the National WWII ed. But PT-305 was sent to New York in 1945, auctioned Museum. “A number of options are being explored for the in 1948, and put to private use as an oyster boat in Chesa- boat. But the ? rst step is to have it certi? ed by the Coast peake Bay until 2001. “Thirteen feet of boat were removed Guard to carry passengers.” from the stern before it began collecting oysters,” Stengl The project’s volunteers include boat builders, engi- said. That was to avoid a regulation that vessels over 65 neers, electricians, mechanics and carpenters. “These men feet have a Coast Guard-licensed captain. In 2001, PT-305 and women have various work experiences and profes- was acquired by the Defenders of America Naval Museum sions, and give their time to make a difference and honor in Galveston, Texas. Five years later, that institution con- ? ghting sailors,” Hill said. “A few are retired and do hands- tacted the National WWII Museum about taking over the on work on the boat.” Many are veterans knowledgeable vessel’s restoration. The boat was moved to New Orleans about military equipment.

in April 2007. “We began this restoration with six WWII volunteers ? ve years ago, and our remaining volunteer vet from that

Volunteers and Donations Defray Costs war, Jimmy Dubuisson, serves as the project’s brain trust,”

Work on the vessel, now housed in the John E. Kush- Hill said. The project’s price tag, which could have been ner Restoration Pavilion, is about two-thirds done, Stengl several million dollars, has been reduced by voluntary la- said. He’s in charge of collecting new and vintage spare bor and donated parts and services. The projected cost of parts from U.S. and foreign donors, and he oversees a restoration is about $1,425,000, Hill said. “That doesn’t cadre of volunteer craftspeople. ”Over a span of ? ve years, include estimates for mobilization and operation once the our restoration crew has had 195 total volunteers,” he said. restoration is complete,” she said.

Sixty are donating their time now. “We have one WWII “Volunteer work is done in a matrix organizational veteran, Jimmy Dubuisson, who is 87 years old and work- structure, with very little top-down management,” Hill ing on the PT boat,” Stengl said. “His contributions are said. “The work atmosphere allows innovation by individ- huge. And as the cofounder of Halter Marine in Missis- ual contributors, leading to or in? uencing broad solutions. sippi, he introduced us to his supply chain.” No one volunteer is more important than another.” www.marinelink.com MN 37