With the support of the Kiwanis Club, the money was raised for a restoration, soliciting donations from individuals and corporations.

A matching funds grant was also received from New York State, which brought the total amount of money raised to $150,000.

Declining membership in Sea Scout Ship 303 resulted in the unit becoming dormant and the end of its 50-year charter relationship with the Kiwanis Club of Webster.

Later that year, the unit was re-invigorated by a group of sailors and re-chartered under the Newport Yacht Club in Irondequoit, New York, with the understanding that the Seneca Waterways Council would make arrangements for the care of Lotus.

Sea Scout Ship 303 and several caring volunteers made attempts to protect her from the elements over the next few years, but with little success.

By that time "The Friends of the Schooner Lotus," organized in Sodus Point, New York at the end of 2019, had begun meeting monthly.

By that summer, several setbacks brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, legal and financial concerns, differences of opinions on restoration methods and other issues involving the owners made it seem like there was no hope of saving Lotus and that she would likely be scrapped by the end of the year.

With determined efforts of the new owners over the following several days including help from Katlynn Marine, Lotus was prepared for transport.