MT. PLEASANT, SC (WCSC) -
Patriots Point will begin a month-long project on Tuesday to repair and renovate one of the nation's last remaining MK1 River Patrol Boats (PBR).
Volunteers will remove the PBR from Patriots Point and ship it to Pierside Boatworks. Once there, the team will remove old paint, repair fiberglass, prime and repaint the boat, and install new canvas. The project is estimated to cost $30,000.
The project was scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 12, but has been postponed until later this month.
Patriots Point received their MK1 PBR in 1989, and after nearly 25 years of being on display, the historic boat is in need of repairs.
"What better way to show our appreciation for our veterans than to fix up a part of their history," said Dave Coker, General Manager at Pierside Boatworks and one of the leaders of this project. "We will all feel good at the end of the day for our efforts."
MK1 River Patrol Boats were used during the Vietnam War to block the movements of insurgents and their supplies into South Vietnam.
"With only one other MK1 PBR remaining in the United States, it is especially important that we preserve this vessel, which played a significant role in our nation's military history," said Patriots Point Executive Director Mac Burdette.
The MK1 PBR will be returned to Patriot Point's Vietnam Support Base once repairs are complete.
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MK1 PBR at Patriots Point. Source: Patriots Point
