Ship offers: Education + Restoration! WE LIKE IT!

A unique collaboration between the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) and the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum is underway along the Stockton Deepwater Channel. SJCOE's San Joaquin Building Futures Academy now has a boat in its backyard!

The USS LUCID MSO-458, a wooden oceangoing minesweeper identical to those made at Colberg's shipyards in Stockton during the 1950's, is being restored by the Academy's students. According to County Schools Chief Mick Founts, it's the premier opportunity to bring education to life and make hisstory relevant for the studentst as they learn woodworking preservation, drafting, electrical, plumbing and metal fabrication.

It will take five years and approximately $1.5 million to restore the USS Lucid, shown here decked in traditional signal flags for today's ceremonies. It eventually will be a star attraction at the downtown Stockton waterfront!

This is an example of how the public can be involved in education and that non-traditional learning is an avenue worth exploring. The result benefits all: young people, the government and the general public Congratulations to Mick Founts, for working with the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum. To the Museum directors for having a "crazy idea" that WILL WORK! AND kudos to both for their diligence! We love it when a plan comes together!