The Mathews Maritime Foundation, which operates both the Mathews Maritime Museum and the Gwynn’s Island Boat Shop (used for the repair and resale of donated boats), has recently volunteered the boat shop as a location for Rappahannock Community College’s marine trades classes.

The location is convenient to the water, has docks and boat slips and also offers opportunities to examine various donated boats as well as to observe a typical boatyard operation, according to RCC spokesperson Tom Martin.

RCC’s marine trades’ students will gain practical experience in working on many different types of watercraft, while the revenue from the sale of restored boats provides funding for the Foundation’s programs, Martin said.

"I thought a partnership would be beneficial to both of us," said Peter Hall, treasurer of MMF and a past president of the Tidewater Marine Trade Association.

"The opportunity to use this facility gives a wide variety of o...