Sunset Schooner Sail in Newburyport

Set sail with us this September!

Join the Merrimack River Watershed Council for a special Sunset Sail aboard the historic Schooner Ardelle. Departing from Newburyport Harbor on Monday, September 21 at 5:30 PM, we’ll take in the last of the summer sunsets together. This exclusive evening on the water will bring together MRWC’s donors, supporters, and friends for a memorable experience at the place where the Merrimack River meets the sea.

The Sunset Sail is more than a beautiful evening aboard a historic schooner. It is a chance to gather in community, celebrate the Merrimack River, and look ahead to a cleaner, safer future for Newburyport Harbor and the watershed we share. Guests can connect with MRWC’s leadership on the communities, wildlife, and working waterfronts that depend on clean water — and the shared responsibility we all have to protect it.

This event also comes at an important moment for MRWC’s work in Newburyport. After several years of concerning results in our water quality monitoring by our team and volunteers, we are launching an investigation into persistent high bacteria levels in Newburyport Harbor. This Sunset Sail helps to support the science, advocacy, and community partnerships needed to better understand these challenges and work toward long-term solutions.

Guests will sail aboard the Schooner Ardelle, a beautiful historic vessel built and captained by Harold A. Burnham, a master shipwright who has built several prominent local schooners. The Ardelle is rarely chartered out of Newburyport Harbor, making this a unique opportunity to experience the lower Merrimack in a new way.

All proceeds from the Sunset Sail benefit MRWC’s mission to protect and restore the Merrimack River. We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring evening as we explore the future of the Merrimack together.