NEWSLETTER #94 MAY 2021

USS ALBACORE (AGSS 569)

NEWSLETTER #94

May 2021

 

Shipmate,

           

            Executive Director Patti Violette announced that Albacore Park will reopen for visitors weekends only beginning, Saturday, 8 May. “We are excited to have some normalcy return to Albacore Park and Portsmouth, NH,” she said. “In addition to self-guided tours, we will be providing social-distancing activities such as Morse Code and Semaphore programs.  Our successful efforts last year have allowed us to come back this year with continued sanitation measures and health protocols across the museum and Park that will make visitors feel confident and safe during their visit with us.” In June, the Park is expected to return to full 7 day a week operations. For the immediate future, the following policies and procedures will be in effect.

 Policies and procedures include:

  • All staff will wear masks. Visitors are also required to wear masks for everyone’s protection.

  • Sanitization and cleaning procedures in place before, during, and after visitors arrive.

  • All visitors are required to check in upon arrival to show masks and answer a few short questions.

  • Signs, barriers, and directives in the submarine, museum gallery and Visitor Center gift shop will require 6 feet social distancing measures.

 

Coming up toward the end of this month is the virtual showing of a documentary

“The Saga of the Submarine Squalus” on Saturday, May 23 at 1830. It will be a Zoom presentation and RSVPs are required and can be obtained by emailing albacoremailcall@gmail.com. In addition, on May 31st, there will be a Memorial Day Observance at 1200 at the Park. There will be Zoom live coverage as well as a small gathering on site. The Shipyard Commander will be the keynote speaker.

A new item is being added to the Albacore website on the “About” page. It concerns Albacore’s contribution to the development of the Navy’s Captor mine program. Watch for it.

There is a new face on the Park’s staff. Camden Ballard has been brought onboard as the Operations Manager. Camden most recently worked at the Boston Science Center. Welcome aboard Camden.

The need for more space has been temporarily resolved with the purchase of a 7 x 7 foot shed set up next to the Annex building at the south end of the Park property. Items currently in the Annex that are not supporting the Collections effort will be relocated to this added space.

Shipmate Dennis Spurgeon has relocated to 929 Orchid Point Way, Vero Beach, FL 32963. His new email is dennisspurgeon@gmail.com.

I regret to report that shipmate Donald Engle departed on Eternal Patrol January 4, 2021. Don was an EN1 during his time on Albacore from ’61 to ’69.

Until next time, shipmate, stay safe and stay healthy. The vaccines are here! Get shot!

 

Jack Hunter

11 Admiralty Drive, Apt 3

Middletown, RI 02842-6254

(401) 849-7282

“jhunter2007@cox.net

Patti Violette