Glacier Society Celebrates Arctic Scout

Columbus Day was the perfect day and Brewer’s Pilot’s Point Marina in Westbrook, CT was the perfect site for Arctic Scout Day in celebration of our training vessel, Arctic Scout. River Potts, Vice Pres. Brewer’s Yacht Yard Groups and General Manager of Pilot’s Point Marina, and Jeremy Maxwell, Yard Manager, were on hand to ensure the day’s success. 

Sponsors and supporters were given a ride aboard this 39’ survey vessel equipped with a brand new diesel engine donated by Caterpillar Marine Power Systems. Arctic Scout supports environmental and maritime training of youth ages 14 and older.

US Naval Sea Cadets, Edson Division, New Haven, CT and the Navy JROTC of Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk, CT presented colors to begin the ceremony and the Reverend John H. Branson of Westport, CT delivered the invocation. 

Memorial plaques were presented to Amy M. Thompson, Marketing Representative for Caterpillar Marine Power Systems; Shawn Devaney, Area Sales Director of Solidworks Corporation and Justin O’Neill, President of O’Neill Industrial Corporation. Awards were also accepted for Dometic Corporation and Whitecap Industries.

Celebrating with us were maritime and youth groups and supporters, as well as representatives of sponsors of the project. Glacier Society Chairman, Ben Koether, along with Joe DeFranco, Youth Project Leader, hosted the event. Without the continued support of our loyal members and friends, the Arctic Scout could not have become the welcome addition that it is to our Youth Project. Thank you, supporters! 

The attendance of Captain Philip Wells Porter, Jr., Commanding Officer of the USS Glacier from 1959 to 1963, added a unique distinction to the event, allowing Koether to recapture memories of shared adventures in the Antarctic on board the USS Glacier, Mother Ship to the tender, Arctic Scout. Several members of Glacier Society’s Board of Directors were on hand to thank the sponsors and participate in the celebration.