With the ship now covered for the winter, Captain Greg Bailey is preparing for a multi-million dollar upgrade of the U.S. Brig Niagara.

In the spring, the Flagship Niagara will be sent to shipyard to undergo repairs and structural upgrades.

"It includes new engines, new generators, every piece of rotten wood being removed and replaced, a new plumbing system, a new electrical system," said Captain Bailey. "Basically, we will have a new ship as we can have, after being alive for 40 years."

According to Captain Bailey, he's received proposals from several shipyards who are interested in the project.

All of the shipyards are in New England.

"They are all located in New England, which is kind of where you would go to have work done, that's where the expertise is," said Captain Bailey. "They all have experience in dealing with wooden ships."

Erie News Now asked why the ship isn't being sent to Cleveland, where it's typically gone for repairs.

"Cleveland would require getting that talent in shipwrights, particularly traditional wooden shipwrights to move to Cleveland for the better part of a year, if not a whole year." said Captain Bailey.

Captain Bailey says he is in the process of hiring a crew to help get the ship to New England in April, via the St. Lawrence Seaway and canal systems.

"The crew will be hired," said Captain Bailey. "It will be probably around 15 people, which allows us to operate around the clock on the way out there."

Due to the timeline, the Flagship Niagara will not be part of Tall Ships Erie Fest in August.

"Niagara will not be here for Tall Ships 2025," said Captain Bailey. "Large portions (of the ship will be) torn apart by then, and preparations being made to renew and reinstall and do all the things that need to happen."

According to Captain Bailey, the goal is to have the U.S. Brig Niagara repaired and back in Erie before July of 2026, in time for Pennsylvania's 250th anniversary.