Bridgeport Boatworks and Hornblower Marine Announce Local Scholarships Worth $15,000 to Support Local Maritime Careers

Bridgeport, CT (April 21, 2022) –Bridgeport Boatworks and Hornblower Marine announced today the launch of six scholarships supporting students at Porter & Chester Institute’s Bridgeport campus. The scholarships, totaling $15,000.00 and valued at $2,500.00 per student, will be dedicated to local Bridgeport residents, and will continue to establish the Bridgeport waterfront as a maritime industry leader and job center.

The announcement was made at the launch of Porter & Chester Institute’s Bridgeport campus welding program. Porter and Chester to Initiate New Welding Program

In April 2021, Bridgeport Boatworksannounced that it had entered into a long-term lease agreement with Hornblower Group, a global leader in world-class experiences and transportation and the operator of NYC Ferry, Statue Cruises, and ferry and vessel operations across North America and theUK, for a vessel maintenance, upgrade, and retrofit facility at the Boatworks. Under that partnership, Hornblower expects to create 45-60 employment positions at the facility while Boatworks anticipates 20 new employees will be recruited as the facility becomes a more robust regional hub for industrial maritime needs.

Harry Boardsen, Owner of Bridgeport Boatworks, stated, “We are investing in our local community and the people in them who will be our workforce in the very near future. We are thrilled to be a part of a developing water related culture.”

Hornblower Chief Operating Officer of Ferry and Transportation Services, Scott Thornton stated, “We are thrilled to continue our expansion in Bridgeport while strengthening our partnership with Bridgeport Boatworks to build upon the city’s historic maritime culture and ensure the maritime jobs of the future are accessible to local residents and students.”

“The fact that many of our skilled trades students will have the opportunity to apply for these generous scholarships supported by leaders in the Maritime Industry is fantastic! Not only will our welding students have access to the dollars, they will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience and the possibility of a great career,” said Jim Bologa, President and CEO of Porter and Chester Institute.

Courses through the Porter & Chester Institute welding program will begin on March 21, 2022. Program information and scholarship application guidelines can be found at www.porterchester.edu

About Boatworks

Bridgeport Boatworks is New England’s newest Yacht and Commercial Shipyard. The third property in a family of Connecticut waterfront operations, Bridgeport Boatworks ownership and management staff are seasoned in yard ownership, management and development. Bridgeport Boatworks prides itself on its growing reputation as a world class Shipyard facility providing outstanding customer service. For more information visit www.bridgeportboatworks.com

About Hornblower Group

Hornblower Group is a global leader in world-class experiences. The corporate entity of Hornblower Group is comprised of American Queen Voyages®, City Experiences and Journey Beyond. Seaward Services, Inc., a marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned vessels, is also a subsidiary of Hornblower Group, operating and maintaining U.S. Navy Ranges and port facilities, including local oil spill response.Today, Hornblower’s footprint spans 112 countries and territories, and 125 U.S. cities, with offerings including water-based experiences, land-based experiences, overnight cruise experiences, ferry and transportation services and full-service support via Hornblower Marineat BridgeportBoatworksin Connecticut. Hornblower Group is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional corporate offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Dublin, Ireland; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; London, United Kingdom; New Albany, Indiana; NewYork, New York; and across Ontario, Canada.For more information visit www.hornblowermarine.com.

About Porter & Chester Institute

Porter and Chester Institute (PCI), a private sector, post-secondary technical institution with nine campuses throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, featuring eleven different career programs, supports committed students in achieving the technical and professional skills essential for their chosen career through industry-modeled, student-centered education and training. For more information, please visit PCI at www.PorterChester.edu or call (800) 870-6789.

Press Contacts:

Michael DeiCas/ Hornblower Group / [email protected]

Ann Baldwin /Baldwin Media [email protected] (860) 985-5621