A Sturgeon Bay marine design firm will benefit from a $10-million donation to help the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee build a new Great Lakes research ship.  Seacraft Design of Sturgeon Bay has been involved in preliminary concept work on the proposed vessel since 2006.  The $10-million gift from anonymous donors would cover the bulk of the estimated $15-million building and operational costs of the ship to be named  “Maggi Sue”.  Mark Pudlo, President of Seacraft Design, expects his firm to now move forward with the design and cost breakdown work on the project.

The “Maggi Sue” would replace UW-Milwaukee's current research vessel “Neeskay”,  a former U.S. Army ship acquired in 1970.  Seacraft Design is also involved with the design for the new Washington Island Ferry.

*Photo courtesy of Seacraft Design website.