Nina Replica Damaged by Hurricane Harvey Now Up for Sale in Corpus Christi

According to local reports, the Corpus Christi City Council has authorized a request by the Columbus Sailing Association to source a buyer interested in purchasing its replica of the Nina. It is the last remaining of the three Christopher Columbus replica vessels which were constructed in the late 1980s, marking the 500th anniversary of his voyage. The ship sustained damage during Hurricane Harvey.

The Nina replica outlasted its counterparts (the Pinta and Santa Maria), which both deteriorated and were subsequently demolished. All three ships had been docked in Corpus Christi following a tour they made in the 1990s. Unfortunately, Hurricane Harvey proved too much for the Nina, leaving it partially submerged. Kim Mrazek, president of the Columbus Sailing Association, told the press it took $20,000 in donations and a total of five months to raise the ship out of the Corpus Christi Bay.

Photo: Facebook/Mary Shell

As a result of the association’s small staff, the ship’s maintenance had become an issue. Gina Sanchez, the marina superintendent, stated that following the damage from Harvey, it became near impossible. The association had been contracted to manage the ship for a period of 15 years. In the meantime, Sanchez noted, “There’s good news — three separate interested parties that have been identified (as potential buyers).” By November 1 of 2018, it’s estimated that a draft sales contract will be presented to interim City Manager Keith Selman as a proposal for the purchase of the Nina.