About three months ago my column focused on interesting places youngsters can go to learn about America’s maritime heritage and history.

From Massachusetts to South Carolina, the column looked at all sorts of great places for youth groups to go to spend the night and touch history up close and personal.

The column got a good response from our readers.

Last week I received an e-mail that brought a response from New England about the same column. I didn’t realize we had many readers in the northeast, but with the Internet anything is possible. Our reader stated that I missed a location that would offer groups a chance to see and learn about maritime history – however, it is not our history, its Russia’s!

Our reader suggested that if I ever get to New England I need to get to Providence to visit the former Soviet diesel-powered submarine, the JULIETT 484, located at Collier Park. The submarine and its attached museum has been attracting groups from all over New England to learn about the Soviet Navy and a chance to see behind the Iron Curtain.

For decades American and Soviet Submarines have chased each other. The book/movie The Hunt For Red October and movie K19: The Widowmaker collectively brought the Soviet submarine force to everyone’s attention. Like our own nation’s &uot;Silent Service&uot; the Russia submarine fleet was the elite of their Navy.

A visit to www.Juilett484.org will provide all the information a guest would need. The site provides photos and detailed information about the submarine and its’ capability. You can even take a virtual tour from your computer in preparation for your visit. If you do not have an ability to get online you can also call 1-401-521-3600 for more information.

One other aspect of the JULIETT program that I really like, and could serve as a model for education systems throughout the country are the lesson plans that are available to use the submarine as a teaching point. We have some many wonderful pieces of maritime history that school groups could visit and use to re-enforce teaching points. Even with the emphasis on Standards of Learning throughout the country pieces like the JUILETT serve a valuable purpose.

So readers….want a see a piece of the &uot;Evil Empire&uot; up close and personal? The JUILETT484 awaits! Until next week….boat safe, boat smart.