.png)
ARIA is a historic aluminum sailing yacht designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in 1957 by Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. More than a classic yacht, ARIA represents a rare piece of American maritime craftsmanship and Gulf Coast restoration heritage.
Kingdom Restoration, Inc. (KRI), a Louisiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, acquired ARIA as the organization’s first flagship restoration project. The vessel will serve not only as a major marine restoration effort, but also as a hands-on workforce development platform designed to help restore lives through meaningful work, mentorship, structure, and opportunity.
KRI’s vision is to restore ARIA to her original elegance while integrating modern propulsion, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, navigation, and safety systems hidden within the vessel’s classic appearance. The result will be a historically respectful restoration combined with modern reliability, efficiency, and operational safety.
The restoration process itself is central to KRI’s mission. Skilled tradesmen, marine professionals, veterans, volunteers, mentors, and individuals seeking a fresh start will work side-by-side throughout the project. Participants will gain real-world experience in marine and industrial electrical systems, mechanical systems and propulsion, woodworking and cabinetry, metal fabrication and coatings, rigging and sail systems, project coordination, warehouse operations, and administrative support.
KRI believes meaningful work can help restore confidence, discipline, and purpose while opening pathways toward long-term careers in Louisiana’s maritime and industrial industries.
The ARIA restoration is planned as a phased project beginning from a temporary operational site in the Greater New Orleans area. KRI believes the work can successfully begin with a modest footprint consisting of shipping containers, temporary enclosed workspace, and leased industrial property with utilities. Waterfront access is not initially required. This phased approach allows restoration work, training, and organizational development to begin immediately while the organization grows toward a larger long-term vision.
Over time, KRI envisions developing a permanent marine restoration and workforce development campus in South Louisiana that could include waterfront industrial property, vessel lifting capacity exceeding 500 tons, restoration and fabrication shops, workforce housing components, offices and operational facilities, classrooms and certification partnership space, and community maritime heritage programming.
The long-term vision extends beyond restoring a single vessel. ARIA represents the beginning of a broader effort to restore maritime craftsmanship, workforce opportunity, and underutilized marine infrastructure throughout the Gulf Coast region.
We restore lives by putting people to work and training them for business and industry for Louisiana and beyond.