 The
North Fork of Long Island is becoming a hot bed of entrepreneurial
success. One of the latest east end businesses created is a woman
owned business - the Lady Stirling, a windjammer schooner sailing
out of Greenport. The Lady Stirling is Greenport's newest sailing
ship, built with the elegance and tradition of the great days of sailing.
Built from a design by one of the nation's top naval architects, the
ship is an 80 foot, 35 ton steel schooner with fine old wooden doors,
rails and cabinetry salvaged from local boat builders. Sandy Soucy,
owner of the vessel, has a long time interest in sailing and extensive
experience in marketing, for national companies.
The
vessel was actually built by Sandy and her business partner, Capt.
Dan Hallock. Capt. Dan comes from a long line of seafaring Long
Islanders going back to the 1700s. Previously he built and operated
a paddle wheeler out of Greenport and prior to that was a well known
sod farm operator and winemaker.
The
Lady Stirling sails from Preston's Dock in Greenport near Claudio's.
It can accommodate up to 49 passengers and operates scheduled sailings
(at 1 pm and 6 pm daily) in addition to special charters. Perfect
for corporate outings, client entertainment or just a leisurely
family outing, hosts Sandy and Capt. Dan provide a relaxing sail
on this magnificent vessel with light snacks and beverages.
The
Lady Stirling is the only large schooner offering day trips on Long
Island. The closest opportunity for a similar adventure is in South
Carolina or Maine. The introduction of the Lady Stirling to Greenport
provides another wonderful facet to Greenport's revitalization as
the North Fork's tourism destination. Vacationers and corporate
visitors can now set sail on the Lady Stirling, relax at the new
Greenporter Hotel and Conference Center & Spa, ride on the municipal
merry go round, visit local wineries, and shop, shop, shop, as well
as eat, eat, eat. It is exciting to see such a successful local
business started from scratch by a woman entrepeneur on the East
End. For consumers (individual and corporate alike), the thrill
provided by sailing on this beautiful, quiet schooner around Long
Island Sound is incomparable.
Construction
on The Lady Stirling was begun several years ago, funded largely
by an Empire State Targeted
Industries Loan obtained through LIDC. The schooner is 100%
woman owned by Sandra L. Soucy. Sandra along with Captain Dan Hallock
had the Schooner built from a design by one of the nation’s
top naval architects, the late Charles Wittholtz over a two year
period. The Lady was completed and launched out of New Suffolk,
New York and came to Greenport on November 1, 2003 to complete stepping
the masts and rigging. It sailed on its maiden voyage on Memorial
Day weekend and was Coast Guard certified in June 2004. The owner
and captain live on the boat from which they operate their business.
Targeted
Industry Loan Funds can be borrowed to finance the fishing industry
and acquaculture programs among other industries that have been
negatively impacted governmental retractions, environmental concerns
and imports. Targeted Industry Loans are long term, low fixed-rate
working capital or equipment loans of up to $250,000 for defense
dependent manufacturers, fisheries related companies, bio medical,
pharmaceutical, software developers, high-end electronics and special
community projects.
For
information on the Lady Stirling, call 631-357-2714.
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