The MARY A. WHALEN is the last of her kind in the USA, on the National Register of Historic places and significant for a Supreme Court decision and more. She's also a handsome ship! As a coastal oil tanker, she is a great platform for discussing the history of USA fuel consumption.

Today the ship is used for education and cultural programs (not a restoration of how the ship was outfitted in 1938). Vistors can go in the engine room and all interior spaces and can touch everything except the electrical panel, get on bunks, sit on the galley stools, and interact with the ship—there's no plexiglass or rope to hold you back! OHNY Weekend is one of the few times a year that the interior of the ship is open to the public because is home to the offices of nonprofit PortSide NewYork.

Visitors get to explore the ship at your their pace. Docents will be stationed around the ship so no one feels rushed. A virtual guide to Red Hook past and present is also located at www.redhookwaterstories.org

Family Programming: For kids, there are toys on the main deck of the ship, and an ArtTable with free coloring supplies. Inside the ship, the Tankerman's cabin has been set up for young kids with books and toys.

It is possible, although difficult, for people using walkers or wheelchairs to cross the gangway to the deck, but accessing the interior requires the use of stairs.

Closed-toe, flat, rubber-soled shoes are strongly recommended, as the ship’s deck can be slippery and some interior surfaces are metal grating.

The available restrooms are portasans.

Additional information about visiting the Mary A. Whalen can be found at https://portsidenewyork.org/visitor-info.