A replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World nearly 400 years ago is undergoing major repairs.

The 56-year-old Mayflower II was brought to dry dock in Fairhaven, Mass., in December for routine maintenance and inspection. During that work, it was discovered that the wooden vessel needed repairs to its frame that could not be deferred.

The work is necessary to keep the ship seaworthy and to meet Coast Guard regulations. This work was originally planned for a later phase of the ship's restoration plan.

Once the work is completed in May, the Mayflower II will return to the Plymouth waterfront as part of the Plimoth Plantation living-history museum.

The ship is a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower, which sailed from England to Plymouth, Mass., in 1620.