TOWING VESSEL ATLAS

Built by Topsfield Vocational Academy Student Boat Builders

Students from the Topsfield Vocational Academy (also TVA) visit the shipyard twice a week, and are encouraged to take ownership of the projects and maintain the space throughout the school year. While learning to use hand and power tools, the students explore the rich history and culture of shipbuilding. These hands on projects allow them to practice responsibility, communication, accountability, critical thinking, problem solving and other essential life skills.

Beginning in the Fall of 2019, and continuing throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic years, as restrictions allowed, TVA students along with their teacher Mark Webster and EHSSM shipwright Jeff Lane built TVA, a Ben Garvey designed motorized skiff, which launched in the Spring of 2021.

TVA will be used as a chase boat for rowing programs on our other student built fleet of Sharptown Barge rowboats

Topsfield Vocational Academy has partnered with EHSSM for more than 5 years, working on projects such as our flagship LEWIS H. STORY, a grand banks dory for schooner ADVENTURE, and EHSSM’s traditional Essex Clam Skiff (funded by ECCF) .