People passionate about the U.S. Brig Niagara’s future are speaking with urgency Wednesday, wondering what the plans are for spring-time repairs. They said time is of the essence to keep plans for the Niagara on track.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) has been in charge of the Niagara since the start of the year and while they’ve laid out a plan verbally, anticipation surrounds the execution.

Former volunteers said the clock is ticking to take care of the U.S. Brig Niagara’s needs, and it’s ticking fast.

They said any setbacks in getting Erie’s flagship to shipyard for repairs could jeopardize a timeline the PHMC was hoping to hit.

“April is when they should be going to shipyard,” said Kathleen Zawrotniak, volunteer. “When we talk about timelines and requirements, they need to give the coast guard 30 days’ notice in order to get them to shipyard to do the inspections that are required to be done.”

While the PHMC posted a job listing for a shipwright back in February, it’s the only posting, and there’s been no announcement about hiring crew members.

Towards the end of march, the PHMC announced an agreement with the Flagship Niagara League (FNL) to work with them as associate partners. That release said the FNL will help organize educational programming, but the future of sailing programs is up in the air.

“So every month we delay, is another month behind the Niagara being able to sail,” said Steven Perry, volunteer.

Perry said typically this time of year, the winter tarp is being removed and it’s being rigged up for the season but right now, the ship stays under cover.

“There’s a high risk of some of these deficiencies staying out there, and the Niagara not being able to sail again,” said Perry.

With much needed repairs, crew members, inspections and work to be done, these volunteers are hoping for an update.

“All of this has really been unnecessary, it’s been frustrating and maddening, but it could have been avoided if the PHMC had continued to work with the Flagship Niagara League and the crew,” said Ginny Sivak, volunteer. “It could have been three months where work could’ve been done and things could’ve been prepared and the should could’ve been ready.”

The group has petitioned to protect the Niagara and has filed several right-to-know requests that they said shows how important a trip to shipyard is. Without it, they said the Niagara could lose it’s certificate of operation.

“And then the Niagara couldn’t do anything including be a dockside attraction,” said Zawrotniak.

We reached out to an official with the PHMC who said they’re working on providing answers to some of our questions, but have not heard back since.

You can find out more information about their cause here and a link their petition here.