If the weather cooperates next week, the Elizabeth II will undergo haul out.  Once a year the representative sailing ship berthed in Manteo is taken to the Marine Maintenance Facility in Manns Harbor for a maintenance check.  This year's haul out will be pretty routine. 

The ship's bottom will be scraped and painted and her crew will give her an inspection to make sure the 23 year old vessel remains in ship shape.  Before putting the Elizabeth II back in the water, a sacrificial "worm shoe" is bolted on her keel.  The worm shoe is an unpainted piece of wood which is put out as a "free meal" for any for any small sea creatures that might otherwise eat the ship itself.

Roanoke Island Festival Park is closed to visitors until February 18.  The Outer Banks History Center remains open as usual.