FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa L. Berger Public Relations and Marketing Manager
Office: 410-539-1151 Fax: 410-539-1190
E-mail: missy@pride2.org

PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II IS SAILING HOME
Damaged Masts and Spars Arriving in Baltimore via Container Ship

Friday, March 31, 2006, Baltimore, MD. Pride of Baltimore II is sailing across the Atlantic Ocean en route to Baltimore. The ship departed Saint-Nazaire, France on March 12, 2006 and is on course to arrive in Baltimore the last week of April.

On March 26, 2006 the remaining pieces of Pride II’s damaged masts and spars from the September 5, 2005 dismasting were loaded in France on Mediterranean Shipping Company‘s ( MSC ) vessel Scandinavia for return to Baltimore. The MSC container, donated in part by MSC (USA), Inc., is scheduled to arrive at Seagirt Marine Terminal on Monday, April 3, 2006. The materials will be cut into pieces and given to donors who contributed to Pride, Inc.’s Raise the Rig fundraising campaign. A large piece of the former mainmast will be displayed at the Annapolis Boatyard Bar and Grill, whose owner, Dick Franyo, has been a substantial fundraiser for Pride II.

Pride, Inc. has received assistance from several companies and individuals that have made the return of the damaged masts and spars to Baltimore from France possible. Arrangements for arrival of the container in the U.S. were provided pro-bono by Dartrans, Inc., a Baltimore-based customs broker. OST Trucking of Baltimore is providing pro-bono transport services to move the container materials from the Seagirt Terminal to Pride, Inc.’s storage facility in Canton. Additionally, several Pride II supporters, including Fort McHenry Rangers, have volunteered their time to unload the materials at Pride, Inc.’s storage facility.

Before returning to Baltimore, Pride II will stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico to clear U.S. customs and drop off guest crew and board new guest crew. Two guest crew will join the ship in San Juan, including a photojournalist from The Baltimore Sun, who will write a series of articles about sailing life onboard Pride II. A welcome home ceremony will be held for Pride II the last week in April. Information, including the date and details will be posted on the website www.marylandspride.org.

Pride of Baltimore II is a reproduction of an 1812-era topsail schooner privateer – Baltimore Clipper, and sails globally as the economic development tool and goodwill sailing ambassador for the State of Maryland and the Port of Baltimore . Maryland ’s PRIDE is owned by the citizens of Maryland. Funding is managed by the non profit organization Pride, Inc., which depends significantly on private contributions to implement Pride II’s missions and maintain her beauty.