Jennifer Harner, Marine Systems, class of 2005

Jennifer was born in Middletown Ohio, in 1973. She was the oldest of 5 children in her family. When she was thirteen her father moved the family to a farm. Jennifer had her first taste of tool use, construction projects, and working along side her father for all sorts of jobs a rural existence required. At school she was diligent in all subjects and graduated third in her class. Furthermore she was keeping very active with sports, theater, and volunteering at every opportunity

She remembers her family would take two week vacation every year that was always near the water, whether a lake or the sea in places like Maine. Water was special and was something that she treasured and anticipated every year, including fishing and light boating and of course swimming.

She entered Miami University, in Oxford Ohio, in 1992. It was time for her to rebel and spend the first years enjoying herself. Soon however, she decided to get serious and chose to get a degree in anthropology. She enjoyed the aspect of research, and learning about different cultures often through different disciplines. While at the University Jennifer joined a student run organization called the Outdoor Pursuit Center where she lead cave exploration and backpacking trips. She also worked in their retail/rental shop. At the time the organization was relatively new with the usual growing problems. Jennifer, as part of an independent study, used her anthropological background by applying it to problem solving within that organization. The data she collected helped in a number of problem areas and resulted in increase of sales and higher student participation.
After graduating in 1996, she headed to North Carolina and worked at summer camps, becoming a program director and managing over 30 camp counselors working there with her. She held a job in a warehouse, which did not work very well and was somehow disappointed with things when she decided to join her family in Rhode Island in 2000. There she held several temporary administrative jobs, which she decided did not suit her.

Unsure of what direction to take she came across the website of IYRS. She was intrigued and after a little research decided that this could be a worthwhile pursuit. As she said she could learn a “life long skill” and one she could enjoy. Jennifer worked while putting 40hrs a week at IYRS. She could not do it otherwise. The only time she decided to forego work was the last 3 months before graduation because of the demands to complete the project, unhappy to let her classmates down. There were many nights that she would be there till midnight, but at the end she felt it was all worth it.

She was remembered at the school for the extremely detailed notes she took on the beetlecat construction. She has kept her love for detail even today. After graduating from IYRS in 2005 she moved into Westerly, RI and worked for Rick Waters, a boat builder in Mystic.

While with Rick she worked on various projects including the 1907 Herreshoff sloop NEITH and a 1941 converted lobster boat. For the past year and a half Jennifer started her own business Bristol Fashion Yacht Services. Most Recently she subcontracted out to Bluewater Marine Consultants, where she was involved and completed a major restoration of the 1926 sloop EZILI that had originally been built for William Wrigley and donated to IYRS. Another recent project was an intricate stem repair on the 53ft McInnis trawler EMMA B. In parallel to her carpentry Jennifer had the opportunity to develop bright and finish work skills.

Through the projects above Jennifer was able to branch out and build upon the skills that IYRS taught her adding efficiency. Both EZILI and the 1941 Lobster boat SEA LARK (which she continues to maintain her bright and finish work) were recognized at the 2008 Antique and Classic Boat Show held in Mystic Seaport.

Jennifer still lives in Westerly and enjoys the area with the opportunities for boatbuilding and wooden boat restoration.

Jennifer Harner, Marine Systems, class of 2005