KITTERY AP) – Supporters of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard are gearing up for a regional hearing in Boston that will help determine its fate.

The Save our Shipyard task force plans to rent 50 buses to carry thousands of supporters to the July 6 hearing. The Pentagon has recommended closing the shipyard.

During the hearing, will make their case for the shipyard to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

Members of the community will not be given a chance to address the commission, which is reviewing the Pentagon’s list of recommended base closures. But shipyard backers say a massive show of support at the hearing will speak for itself.