Why isnt the Scademia available for tours?

Several years ago I was working in Grand Cayman.  It was a great experience, meeting new people and actually living in a different country.  My close circle of friends came from all over the world, the UK, Trinidad, Kenya and Canada.  Grand Cayman has a lot of expatriates working there and most are from the British Commonwealth.

On one Saturday afternoon my Canadian friend noticed the Newfoundland Flag on a sail boat in the harbour.  I recall taking a look and said it reminded me of Scademia.  Sure enough it was, but what was it doing in the middle of the Caribbean when it belonged back at home thousands of miles away.  No one was on board at the time so my question was left unanswered.

Later that evening I went to a local sports bar that showed Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday night.  Many other Canadians came to the same bar on Saturday nights, it was a great way to feel at home with a group of people who all liked Hockey.  As luck would have it, that night I met Charlie Anonsen the owner of Scademia.  Charlie and I became fast friends and overtime I learned some disturbing things, the most  important was the fact Scademia was no longer in St. John’s harbour and might not ever work from there again.  Scademia was for sale and most likely would be sold outside of the province.

As I remember Scademia was the last schooner built in Newfoundland and Charlie started the first boat tour business in newfoundland.  Scademia became a recognized icon in the community and is still today seen on countless advertisements, posters and tourisms brochures.  Tourists still today come to St. John’s looking for her.

Now from what I can understand there was an issue between Charlie and the St. John’s Port Authority that ended with Charlie not being permitted to operate in St. John’s harbour.

We Newfoundlanders hold that which ours close.  We love our home, our family and friends and in my opinion to lose an icon like Scademia, the last schooner built in Newfoundland to someone outside of the province would be a great tragedy.  I’m starting this blog as a place for everyone to voice their opinion.  I also promise to meet with my friend, Charlie Anonsen and get more details to this situation.  If you have anything to add or know I have incorrect information please post.