Maritime Deconstruction

Laurel 1891 — Upcycle Americas Oldest Oyster Boat by Jean Paul Vellotti — Kickstarter

Look what we found waiting in our in-box from Kickstarter this morning. You better believe with think this is a great idea!

They need some serious clams though, so if you like it too cruse on over and throw them a line (or two).

Enjoy sustainably-harvested oysters and cocktails on the deck of Laurel. Upcycled crafts from her deck restoration make great gifts.

This image shows how Laurel looks today, ready for her journey as an oyster bar.

Although the Laurel holds the honor of “oldest active fishing vessel” by the United States Coast Guard, her days of hard-work are behind her. Laurel is a real head turner so we came up with an idea to bring her from port-to-port and let people come aboard and hear about her legacy…and have some really great oysters and cold drinks at the same time.

Additionally, farmers harvest dinners on her deck for a limited number of guests, served family style, should prove to be a hit. Because Laurel is a mobile platform, guest chefs at many locations are possible which will keep the menu exciting. And, for hyper-local foodies, Laurel can still harvest her own shellfish, so dont be surprised if the oysters you eat in the evening were harvested by her that morning!

This image from 1930 shows Laurel docked at Greenport, Long Island, NY. For 50 years (from 1905 to 1955), Laurel brought seed oysters from Connecticut and planted them in the Great Peconic Bay; she returned weekly with Long Island grown oysters.

Laurel's deck beams will be replaced by Maine-shipwright Captain Robert Blood (yes, that's really his name). Inset is a photo of A.C. Brown, master carpenter and builder of Laurel.

Laurel sitting pretty after her yearly painting and caulking at Cove Marina in Norwalk, CT. In the background is another wooden oyster boat, the Catherine M. Wedmore.

You can almost taste the sea in this photo of Laurel passing Penfield Light off Fairfield, CT. As you can see, her decks have seen better days.

via Laurel 1891 — Upcycle Americas Oldest Oyster Boat by Jean Paul Vellotti — Kickstarter.