Sailing Hall of Fame leaving Maryland for Rhode Is

Associated Press//October 17, 2018//

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A supermoon raises over Fiskeback harbor with sailing boats, outside of the Gothenburg, Sweden, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The supermoon phenomenon, which scientists call a "perigee moon," occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) — A supermoon raises over Fiskeback harbor with sailing boats, outside of the Gothenburg, Sweden, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. The supermoon phenomenon, which scientists call a “perigee moon,” occurs when the moon is near the horizon and appears larger and brighter than other full moons. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

ANNAPOLIS — The National Sailing Hall of Fame will officially leave Maryland for Rhode Island, barring any last-minute discoveries.

The Capital reports the board of directors voted 17-9 Tuesday to proceed with its deal to purchase space in Newport’s historic Armory Building. President Gary Jobson says the vote total represented “a strong statement in favor of Newport,” but the site still needs to be inspected for structural and environmental issues before the Nov. 8 deal deadline.

The hall plans to spend about $4 million in total, including installing exhibits. It has a lease on a state-owned building in Annapolis until 2020, but hadn’t been successful in building a museum.

Despite the departure, a spokeswoman for Mayor Gavin Buckley says Annapolis won’t relinquish its title as the “sailing capital of the world.”