Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette The people involved in the creation of a new anchor at the Houghton County Marina pose with it at its dedication Wednesday.

RIPLEY — Visitors to the Houghton County Marina will be greeted by a new sight the next time they dock.

The county unveiled a new ceremonial anchor by the marina sign Wednesday afternoon painted in the style of the American flag. The idea had come from county maintenance supervisor Tom Bingham, who passed it on to Administrator Ben Larson and teachers he knew at the Copper Country Intermediate School District’s Career and Technical Education program.

“It’s fun to see it,” Larson said. “I thought it came out really sharp. I think it’ll be a great new thing for the marina and welcome everybody in here with a great patriotic anchor there.”

Designing and fabricating the mild steel anchor was handled by students of welding/manufacturing teacher Tim Stites and welding machine teacher Jordan Schulze.

“Jordan was able to sit down with some students and draw up a design and pass it down the line in the shop,” Stites said. “The next group of kids passed it down the line to kids that did quick welding to it. It was a good all-around project.”

About four students were involved in the work, which they were able to finish in about one class period.

“It was at the end of the year, so everybody’s fairly experienced,” he said.

The classes have been involved in other community projects, such as making monuments for the veterans memorial in Hancock.

“If we can do anything, we always help out as much as we can,” Stites said. “Any community involvement we get into is great.”

It still needed painting. Larson called Brady Bekkala, owner of Wildwood Coating, and sent over sample ideas of an American flag design.

Wildwood applied a polyurethane coating to the anchor to provide protection against the elements, including ultraviolet rays.

“When Ben reached out to us, we were proud to be able to be given the opportunity to provide any of our services we can back to the community,” Bekkala said.

An anchor needs a rope. And Larson got one donated by the U.S. Coast Guard Station — Dollar Bay.

Bingham was pleased to see his idea become a reality.

“It looks nice,” he said. “I’m happy with it.”

More is on the way. Schoolcraft Township Supervisor Joel Keranen is donating a brick marker that will be engraved with “Est. 1946” — the year the county marina was founded.