As volunteers of the Flagship Niagara League, Ginny Sivak and Steven Perry are concerned about the future of the U.S. Brig Niagara.

"It just keeps getting worse instead of getting any better," said Sivak. "There's no sign of anything improving."

The U.S. Coast Guard has changed the Brig Niagara's status to inactive, in preparation for shipyard repairs.

As a result, the public will not be able to tour the ship this season.

"The key thing is, it impacts the public access to the Niagara, where now moving forward, the public is not going to be able to go on board the Niagara while it's in this inactive status," said Perry. "At this point we don't know how long that's going to be."

The Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission took over operations of the Niagara back in January.

For months, the PHMC has been in contract talks with the Flagship Niagara League.

However, the PHMC ended programming with the FNL, after eight of its board members resigned.


While the PHMC says the change is status is a common practice, Sivak says that's not the case.

"I'm concerned because the statements the PHMC are making, they talk about how this has happened before, and actually I think it only happened once." said Sivak.

Legislators are dealing with the issue at a state level.

"We're working hard," said Rep. Bob Merski. "It's been tough. There's been a lot of transitions at the PHMC, and so making sure that they know that the legislators are taking this very seriously and we're actively involved, I think that's important."

Erie News Now asked Rep. Pat Harkins what he is hoping to see happen.

"Continuity," said Rep. Harkins. "Everybody getting back to working together on this. We've got what seems to be segregated groups on it and I just hope that we can bring everybody together and make the ship sail."


The PHMC issued the following statement, in response to the change in the Niagara's status.

"Last week, PHMC hosted U.S. Coast Guard representatives from Buffalo, NY at the Erie Maritime Museum for a comprehensive review of planning related to U.S. Brig Niagara operations. The discussion included plans for the Brig’s impending trip to shipyard as well as plans for long-term maintenance and future Niagara sailing programs. As a result of that meeting, the USCG has placed Niagara in “layup/inactive” status in preparation for shipyard as has been common practice in previous years. Niagara’s current Certificate of Inspection as a sailing school vessel remains valid and once repair work is completed and approved by the USCG, Niagara will return to “active” status. While in “layup/inactive” status, Niagara is not permitted under Coast Guard rules to host tours as a dockside attraction. PHMC fully anticipates the return of ship tours upon Niagara’s return from shipyard. PHMC looks forward to working closely with the USCG to address necessary maintenance and repairs, allowing Niagara to sail for decades to come. "