The historic U.S. Brig Niagara is preparing to return home to Erie following a more than $5 million repair and refit project in Maine, though the ship may not be fully rigged under sail for its July 2 homecoming celebration.

The restoration work has been taking place at Bristol Marine and is nearing completion. The vessel, owned by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, underwent what officials are calling a significant midlife overhaul.

According to Cal Pifer, who also serves as a commissioner for the PHMC, Pennsylvania’s investment in the Niagara is unusual among states that own historic tall ships.

“A lot of them will have official tall ships, but that’s in name only — they don’t fund them,” Pifer said. “This is a $5 million midlife refit, so from Pennsylvania’s standpoint, it’s a big deal.”

The restoration has been overseen by Captain Greg Bailey, who recently announced he will resign June 1 for personal reasons.

“He’s done a wonderful job with the restoration,” Pifer said. “The ship looks beautiful. It’s ready to return on July 2, but he won’t be the captain bringing her back.”

Taking over in an interim role will be Captain Richard Bailey, whose maritime career includes 16 years as master of the HMS Rose — the ship featured in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World starring Russell Crowe.

“If viewers have ever seen the movie ‘Master and Commander’ with Russell Crowe, the ship the movie was shot on — this is that captain,” Pifer said.

While the Niagara is expected to return to Erie on schedule, officials say it likely will not be fully rigged for sailing by the July 2 celebration.

“It’s extremely complicated,” Pifer said. “You have to have the right trained people to do it, but at this point it doesn’t look like she’ll be fully rigged, which is disappointing.”

Even so, organizers say the public celebration will move forward. Pifer said Governor Josh Shapiro is expected to attend, and the Niagara will be open to visitors free of charge during the holiday weekend at the Erie Maritime Museum.

“The governor will be here, she will be open and free to the public all weekend long at the maritime museum,” Pifer said. “The museum itself will be open free to the public. But in order to do the parade of sail and have the fanfare that we had all hoped for, she would need to be rigged.”

Officials expect a final decision on the ship’s rigging status by the end of the week.