In 2002, Bay Engineering, Inc. (BEI) furnished the technical expertise for compliance with intact and damage stability requirements for the conversion of the cargo vessel S/S CAPE BON to public nautical school ship S/S ENTERPRISE. BEI determined the fixed ballast requirements for compliance with the MARAD standard applied for two-compartment subdivision along with the weight estimate, hull modifications, stability test and loading manual

The vessel was built in 1967 as Avondale Hull 1069 and was converted by Bender Shipbuilding and Repair Co. Inc. of Mobile, AL. The vessel is owned by the US Department of Transportation, is operated by Interocean Ugland Management Corporation And is assigned to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards May, MA.