From Snow to Sun – A week on USCG Barque EAGLE

Last month, 18 Tall Ships America members had the opportunity to sail on Eagle as part of their Spring Officer Candiate School training cruise (you can read about my own experience in 2011 here) from March 8-15th.  Brian Holmen, Tall Ships America Youth Representative and 2013 summer intern, was on board. Below is his week on Eagle and you can see more photos on our Flickr photostream-  

2013 Spring Cruise

   This year Captain Pulver, the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Barque Eagle gave 18 members of Tall Ships America the chance to sail on Eagle. Our group of 18 (9 men, 9 women) would join Officer Candidates for the Coast Guard and NOAA Corps, as we sailed from New London, Connecticut to Charleston, South Carolina.  This  Coast Guard opportunity is truly unique, as no other country allows civilians to sail onboard their military sail training vessels.

Spring Has Sprung

We know it is Spring around Tall Ships America HQ when the invites to our annual “DC Reception” in the US Capitol Building go out in the mail. Every year, we host a gathering of politicians, naval attaches, board members, port partners, and supporters to talk about sail training, tall ships and the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®.

Introducing our Great Lakes TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r) 2013 Fleet

Sorlandet

We have a great (as always) fleet of vessels coming into the Great Lakes this summer. Familiar faces will be joining some new ships and we couldn’t be more excited. Here is the list and for more information on who is going where and how to contact them, visit our Participating Vessels page.

Appledore IV
Challenge
Denis Sullivan
Empire Sandy
Fair Jeanne
Friends Good Will
Hindu
Kajama
La Revenante
Lynx
Madeline
Niagara
Pathfinder
Peacemaker
Playfair
Pride of Baltimore II
Red Witch
Sorlandet
St. Lawrence II
Unicorn
Windy

 

Hot off the Press!

This morning we received our very first copy of the brand new directory. We hope to have these going out in March. In the meantime, here are some photos of  the all-color, glossy new book -

 

Put a bird on it

What a day for a sail

Twice a year, in the spring and fall, USCG Barque EAGLE has their Officer Cadidate School(OCS) participants sail aboard the ship as part of a training voyage. This past fall, Tall Ships America was able to extend an invitation to sail aboard with the OCS class to it’s members. We are pleased to announce that this spring, CAPT Pulver has extended this invitation to include experienced deckhands from the sail training industry.

This is an incredible opportunity (read about my own experience sailing with the OCS class to Philadelphia in 2011) and I can’t recommend enough that you take the time to apply for this voyage. Not only will you be sailing towards warm weather but Savannah hosts the largest St. Patricks Day parade in the country. Based on our own time in Savannah this past summer as part of the TSC with EAGLE, you are guaranteed to have great time both at sea and on land.

Here are the details from the announcement:

EAGLE will sail on a training voyage, departing New London CT on 8 March and arriving Savannah GA on 16 March 2013.  CAPT Pulver has graciously offered to include a small number of Tall Ships America experienced deckhands from the sail training fleet.  Junior officers are also welcome (be advised, berthing is in the trainee accommodations, not officer quarters). Experienced trainees are also welcome, if accompanied by an experienced professional. This experience will be a great resume-enhancer and tonnage-time booster! 

Time is short, so act now if you are interested in this great opportunity to train in USCG Barque EAGLE.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 22 FEBRUARY 2013, 1700h EST.

Program Details: 

1.)  You must be at least 18 years old.
2.)  There is no age maximum, but you must be fit, willing and able to work aloft.
3.)  You must be a U.S. Citizen.
4.)  You will be full a participant, along with the USCG trainees, in the operation of the
ship:  standing watch, helm, lookout, bridge, maintenance, working aloft, galley and all other regular trainee duties.
5.)  You are welcome and STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend training classes with
the USCG  trainees.
6.)  The ideal candidate is an experienced, rising sail training practitioner.  This
            program is not for “Old Salts”, and it is not for first-timers.
7.) Upon successful completion of the program, EAGLE will issue to you (if you request
it) a letter of Sea Service or other formal documentation of your sea service in
EAGLE. 
8.) Participants must pay $12/day for food and expenses, etc.  Total cost for 10
days = $120. 

Application Process: 
1.)  All applications must be submitted electronically to Tall Ships America at
            erin@tallshipsamerica.org
2.)  You must be a Tall Ships America member in good standing to apply – Become a member!3.)  Applications must include the following:
            a.) Resume of your traditional ship experience, as crew or as trainee
            b.) Letter of recommendation from your current (or most recent) Captain or First
                        Mate
c.) Completed Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement (see the EAGLE “Welcome Aboard” packet).
            d.) Completed Medical Questionnaire (see the EAGLE “Welcome Aboard”packet).  NOTE:  This requires a consultation with a medical doctor.

For those of you that giggled over the title, here is the (incredibly accurate) Portlandia sketch for your Friday viewing.

Hello 2013!

Yikes, it’s been oh so quiet over on this blog. While we ease into 2013 over here, all the action has been  happening on the conference blog .  We are less than a month out from our annual conference in Erie (weeee!) and there is a ton of information going up over there on a daily basis.  Roommate help, speaker bios (with photos!) and sessions are all being updated as fast I can get them up.  Soon, the agenda on the Tall Ships America website will link up to the blog to make perusing all of our awesome sessions even easier.

Crew grants, generously sponsored by Maritime Simulation Institute, are still available.  If you haven’t already applied, you still have time and it is super easy.

 Meanwhile, in non-conference related news, we have a very exciting announcement to make about a unique upcoming sailing opportunity. So stay tuned and be sure to check back here later this week…

 

We survived! Now you can donate to our Annual Appeal!

Photo courtesy SnorgTees.com

 

We made it! Wee! As you rush out to do the holiday shopping you thought you’d gotten out of this year, why not take the time to donate to Tall Ships America? It’s quick and easy. Through our scholarships, grants, programs, and conferences we help young trainees connect with life-changing experiences, and our members achieve greater success. 

Tall Ships America has been given a generous $50,000 challenge to raise an equal amount by December 31^st.  We are halfway there, and we need your participation to reach our goal. 

Your past support of Tall Ships America’s  was put to immediate use to fund scholarships, the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r), vessel resources and so much more.   Make a generous donation today and help us meet the challenge by December 31^st. 

Tall Ships America supports education under sail in ways that no other organization can ever do.  We thank you for your past support, and ask you to help us sustain sail training in America for the future.

Consider the halls decked

Last Friday we hosted our annual holiday party in Newport, RI. Usually we have our party the last day of work before we take our holiday break but this year, since our TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r) Director was in town,we decided to bump it up a week so we could have a full-staff holiday party for the first time. Totally worth it. We had a ton of food and holiday spirits, and a wonderful turn out. Here are a few photos from the  festivities and we hope you can join us next year!

Three EAGLE Captains all in a row

Our wee tree with tall ship ornaments

Happy Holidays

20th Edition – Sail Tall Ships!

Nineteenth Edition

In February of 2013, we will be releasing the 20th edition of Sail Tall Ships! A Directory of Sail Training and Adventure at Sea, a comprehensive guide featuring hundreds of Tall Ships America member tall ships, shore-based programs, and business partners offering a diverse range of sail training opportunities throughout North America and around the globe.  This 432-page soft-cover book includes photographs, specifications, program descriptions, and contact info.  A must for those planning their own adventure and for tall ship enthusiasts alike!

This directory is the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Limited Edition and, for the first time ever, will be in full color. To be included in the latest directory, the deadline for member dues in December 31st.

By now, our member organizations should have heard from Lori. If you are a current member organization and have not heard from Lori, please contact her asta@tallshipsamerica.org. If you would like to become a member of Tall Ships America and would like to be included in this special anniversary edition of Sail Tall Ships!, you can become a member online or call our office (401.846.1775).

A day to give back

 

This calming photograph taken by Matt Maples

 

First there is Black Friday. Then Small Business Saturday. Sunday is a day of rest. Then Cyber Monday works your internet skillz. As your credit card sizzles quietly and you swear if you see one more boldly aggressive advertisement telling you to ACT NOW! you miiiight just freak out, why not do something that feeds the soul and puts you on the good list. Today is #GivingTuesday™ and, according to the mission statement,

#GivingTuesday™ is a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.

In that case, welcome to the season of giving…back! Our annual appeal is ongoing (until December 31st).  Use your generosity to give back to the sail training community. With your support, we are changing lives and opening new horizons through adventure and education under sail. It is a work we are proud and privileged to undertake.  Help us find the leaders of tomorrow. Sign aboard and support the work of Tall Ships America today.