Iver Franzen Chosen as Naval Architect to Design New Maryland Dove

ST MICHAELS, MD – Iver C. Franzen Maritime, LLC, an Annapolis-based firm specializing in historic vessel naval architecture services, has been chosen by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to design the newest iteration of 17th century pinnace Maryland Dove. Maryland Dove, a representation of the trading ship that accompanied the first European settlers to what is now Maryland, is owned by the state of Maryland and operated and maintained by the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission. Starting this year, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will be constructing the newest reproduction of the ship.

Principal architect and firm founder Iver Franzen’s 40-year maritime career has included work both as a naval architect and captain. He became a licensed captain in 1980, and now has a 500-ton Master’s License, with endorsements for auxiliary sail and 1600-ton OSVs. After earning his Bachelor of Arts from Union College in 1974, Franzen worked many years as a charter and delivery captain, and many more as a commercial passenger vessel captain, throughout the East Coast and Caribbean.

Franzen has worked in naval architecture since 1987, starting with an intensive five-year apprenticeship with Professor Thomas Gillmer, becoming a member of Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in 1992. He’s been involved with the design of tall ships such as Pride of Baltimore II, Kalmar Nyckel, and USS Constitution, among others. Franzen opened his own practice in Annapolis in 1996, and continues to work as a sailing, power, tall ship and commercial vessel designer, USCG certification consultant, writer, educator, public speaker, and, when an interesting situation comes along, as a captain.

“Achieving the most appropriate design for the new Maryland Dove is of the utmost importance,” said CBMM President Kristen Greenaway. “We have full confidence in Franzen, thanks to his impressive background in designing historical reproductions, and to U.S. Coast Guard standards.”

Maryland Dove is Historic St. Mary’s City’s floating ambassador and one of its most popular exhibits. The goal of the new ship design is to be as close to the 1634 original as possible, including features that were not known when Maryland Dove was built in 1978. The new Maryland Dove will also be built so that it may be Coast Guard certified as a passenger carrying vessel.

“Given the various excellent efforts around the Chesapeake Bay to research, interpret, teach, and preserve the fabric of the Bay’s history, maritime and otherwise, and, indeed, the history of this country’s early years in general, it’s a real honor to be chosen as the designer of one of the new flagships of those efforts,” Franzen said. “I’m impressed with the commitment by HSMC and CBMM to re-create the best example possible of one of our early founding ships, while also realizing that incorporating certain modern details necessary for U.S. Coast Guard certification will actually allow an even better experience and understanding for all of this very important vessel.”

Construction on the new ship is anticipated to begin at CBMM by mid-year, with launch of Maryland Dove targeted for late 2021. All work will be done in full public view in St. Michaels, Md., allowing the public to experience every stage of the project.

To learn more about Maryland Dove, visit bit.ly/marylanddove. For more information on CBMM, visit cbmm.org.

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~ Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum