The Suva has finally come home.

The 90-year-old schooner, originally contracted by a prominent Whidbey businessman, has traveled around the Pacific Northwest only to return to her native waters.

For Captain Mark Saia, owner of Penn Cove Sailing, Suva’s return has been a long time coming and has taken a village to accomplish.

“Thanks to everyone and their support,” Saia said.

Saia embarked on the project late last year when he was looking to purchase another boat for his business. When he came upon the Suva, he realized it was a ship that should be preserved and shared for many generations to come.

His efforts culminated in the creation of the Coupeville Maritime Heritage Society, which acquired the vessel through donations, and currently operates under the umbrella of the Island County Historical Society. Saia said the CMHS will function as in independent entity focused on maritime history once it acquires its nonprofit status.

Saia describes the future of the Suva as a type of “floating museum” that would be maintained according to its history.

Whidbey’s Frank Pratt contracted with Ted Geary a very well-known Seattle sailboat designer to build the one-of-a-kind, 57-foot schooner in 1925. Built in Hong Hong entirely of old-growth teak, Suva was specifically designed for the Pacific Northwest.

Alex Potenziani, a former U.S. Forest Service firefighter who is volunteering for the CMHS, has been spending a bulk of his time on the boat, cleaning, repairing and getting to know her.

“It’s an institution and I’m its first student,” Potenziani said. “It’s a ‘Field of Dreams’ kind of thing.”

His goal, Potenziani said, is to develop a “standards and practices” maintenance program for the Suva that can be passed onto future generations.

“He’s a godsend,” Saia said of Potenziani. “Without Alex here it would be hard for me to do it by myself.”

Several other community members have volunteered time and donated money toward the project, and a board of directors has been established to oversee the organization.

“It started here. It fits into our historic Whidbey perfectly,” said Vickie Chambers, president of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association and CMHS treasurer. “The idea of bringing it here and having a vessel, it just seems right.”

Saia said the CMHS continues to seek donations and volunteers to work on the historic craft.

For more information, visit www.schoonersuva.org or contact Mark Saia at captainmarksaia@yahoo.com or 360-969-1791.