In what has become an annual ritual, Plymouth celebrated the return to port of the Mayflower II on Monday after a winter of renovations in Connecticut.
But that ritual may be broken in December when the reproduction vessel of the original Pilgrim ship is expected to return to Mystic Seaport for up to 30 months of uninterrupted work needed to finish the restoration of the ship that began in 2013.
Officials at Plimoth Plantation, which owns the 59-year-old wooden ship, said the plans for Mayflower II’s extended stay in Mystic will move forward provided they are able to raise the money needed to complete the $12 million project. The prolonged absence of a familiar symbol of the nation’s origins would come as Plymouth prepares to host celebrations in 2020 marking the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony.
Kenneth Tavares, chairman of the Plymouth Board of Selectmen, said the long absence will be a “tremendous loss’’ to the town. “Over those 60 years, she has become very much an icon unto her own and draws a great number of people to Plymouth. She is certainly a beloved vessel, and she will be missed when she is not here,’’ he said.
But he said the major overhaul the ship is undergoing is vitally important and “certainly worth the wait.’’
“When the ship is not there it creates a huge hole on the waterfront,’’ said Kevin O’Reilly, executive director of the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve heard some businesses on the waterfront that their business drops around 30 percent when she’s not in port. We want to do everything we can to get her back as soon as possible.’’
More than 250,000 visitors annually come aboard Mayflower II, with many others drawn to the Plymouth waterfront to observe the ship from Pilgrim Memorial State Park, said Kate Sheehan, a spokeswoman for Plimoth Plantation.
“We are confident that we will provide an engaging and educational experience for our visitors at the Mayflower II exhibit on the State Pier while the ship is away,’’ she said. “Plimoth Plantation is actively pursuing interim exhibits on a variety of maritime themes as well as the possibility of visiting ships.’’
This past winter’s renovations involved continued work to stabilize the 106-foot-long vessel, including replacing much of Mayflower II’s half-deck area and topmast rigging, and updating its tween deck.
The vessel was towed back to its home at the State Pier in Plymouth over last Sunday and Monday. A “Welcome Home Weekend’’ of activities was planned for this weekend.
Sheehan said the final phase of the project includes restoration of the hull and the keel, work that will require the ship to remain at Mystic without seasonal interruption.
John Laidler can be reached at laidler@globe.com.
