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STAMFORD, CT/October 7, 2026 – Derecktor Shipyards and SoundWaters welcomed state and local officials to Derecktor’s Mamaroneck shipyard yesterday for an inside look at the R/V Brewer, a new educational research vessel under construction for SoundWaters.

Representatives from both organizations provided information about the vessel’s construction, why Derecktor was a good fit for the project and how this new vessel will play a key role in expanding SoundWaters’ maritime science and environmental education programs on Long Island Sound and positively impact Mamaroneck-area students.

Commissioned by SoundWaters, the R/V Brewer is a 50-foot by 23-foot aluminum catamaran designed by Chartwell Marine, a pioneer of next generation vessel design. The vessel is currently being constructed by Derecktor Shipyards. Scheduled to launch in Spring 2027, the vessel will accommodate two crew members, three on-board educators and up to 30 passengers.

 

 

“We are big believers in education and investing in the next generation,” said Derecktor’s New Construction Manager Erik Derecktor, with State Senator Shelley MAYER “The R/V Brewer will put that into action. She will introduce students from our backyard and across the region to the Sound’s critical ecosystem and the many opportunities available in the marine industry.”

The program was designed specifically to advance SoundWaters’ educational mission of creating a better world through joyful learning on Long Island Sound while inspiring children and adults to become lifelong stewards of the environment. The R/V Brewer will include a wet/dry laboratory and specialized equipment for hands-on marine research, giving students the opportunity to conduct sophisticated field investigations and learn about Long Island Sound directly on the water.

“This new vessel will give students the opportunity to experience Long Island Sound as a working laboratory, conducting hands-on research and learning directly from the environment around them,” said President of SoundWaters Leigh Shemitz, (center) with Steve Otis and Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney.

“Watching this vessel come together at Derecktor is so exciting. Working with teachers and school districts throughout the region, we are going to change education on Long Island Sound for the next 50 years.  We believe our communities are stronger when we are all connected to and learning from Long Island Sound.”

SoundWaters currently reaches more than 30,000 students annually through its environmental education, youth development and community programs, serving more than 146 schools throughout the Long Island Sound region. The R/V Brewer will provide a new platform for SoundWaters to expand these hands-on learning experiences and connect 10,000 more students with the Sound every year.

The new vessel is named in honor of Jack Brewer, founder of Brewer Yacht Yard Group and a long-time member of the Northeast boating community.

Brewer’s connection to Mamaroneck and the marine industry began with his family’s hardware business. While attending Columbia Business School, he learned that the nearby Post Road Boat Yard was for sale and decided to acquire it.

That acquisition became the foundation for Brewer Yacht Yard Group, which grew into a network of marinas from Maryland to Maine. Brewer built the company around service, responsible business practices and a commitment to the waterfront. Naming SoundWaters’ new vessel in his honor recognizes his long-standing connection to the region’s marine community.

“I built my life on Long Island Sound, and I’ve seen firsthand how the water can change a life,” said Jack Brewer. “Every kid deserves the chance to explore, learn, and discover on the water. Give a child that experience, and they’ll carry it with them for the rest of their life.”

For SoundWaters, the R/V Brewer represents a significant expansion of a mission that began more than three decades ago. Founded in 1989 with a vision to connect people to Long Island Sound through learning and exploration, SoundWaters now provides environmental education and youth development programs to tens of thousands of students each year. To learn more, visit SoundWaters.org/Brewer.

About SoundWaters
SoundWaters prepares the next generation for their future. With our climate in crisis, we teach tomorrow’s leaders the science they will need. With Long Island Sound as our classroom, we create love and respect for the natural world. As a matter of justice, we open the water to all. As a matter of urgency, we work to protect our common home. For more information, visit soundwaters.org.

Chartwell Marine is a trusted pioneer of next-generation vessel design. A reputed naval architect with an industry-leading track record designing award-winning offshore wind vessels, commercial boats, passenger ferries and leisure craft, Chartwell Marine support ambitious boat builders and vessel operators around the world with specialist, independent designs to create practical, optimized vessels that perform in real-world operations, with end user always in mind.

 

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