The Bayfront Maritime Center (BMC) is a nonprofit educational and community center located at 40 Holland Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1998, BMC specializes in hands-on, maritime-themed programs that engage youth and adults in sailing, boat-building, environmental science, and workforce development.
Mission & Programs
BMC’s mission is to design and implement engaging, hands-on, maritime-themed educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities for the community in a universally accessible waterfront facility.
The center serves the Erie community annually through a variety of programs:
Community Sailing: Offers sailing lessons and experiences on Presque Isle
Adaptive Sailing (EASE): The Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience provides individuals with physical and mental challenges the opportunity to sail independently. It is the first and only adaptive sailing program in Pennsylvania.
Project COMPASS: An afterschool apprenticeship and mentorship program for Erie youth, focusing on employment skills, boat-building, and life skill development.
Schooner Porcupine: A project to build a representation of Erie’s historic Schooner Porcupine, which will serve as an environmental science lab and research vessel for educational trips on Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie.
Facilities
BMC’s state-of-the-art waterfront campus includes a large boat shop, seven classrooms, locker rooms, offices, a lunchroom, and a multi-purpose lobby. Floating docks adjacent to the building allow for easy access to the water, facilitating hands-on learning experiences.
Community Engagement
BMC hosts annual events such as the Ales for Sails fundraiser and the Cardboard Boat Regatta, fostering community involvement and support for its programs.
For more information or to get involved, visit their official website: bayfrontcenter.org.