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.

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.

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.

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).

Class Afloat announces $15,000 Scholarship

Photo Credit – Class Afloat

This morning I was posting jobs on the Billet Bank and longingly eyed one submitted by Class Afloat looking for an AB to sail with them on Sørlandet  from Rio de Janeiro to Lunenburg from January to June.  Sailing along the South American coast sounds amazing (and warm, especially when facing a New England winter).  But what is even more amazing is having this sailing experience not only be along the South American coast but all over the world and getting school credit for it. Instead of sitting in a classroom for nine months, you could experience the “blue water high school” of Sørlandet with the Class Afloat Young Sailor Scholarship.

This scholarship will be awarded to ‘one young Canadian sailor and one International sailor who best demonstrates the values of excellence, integrity, community, teamwork, accountability, respect, commitment and achievement in his or her academic and sailing life.’  Information on the criteria and application process is available here. 

You can read more about Class Afloat on their website www.classafloat.com  and watch the below video -

NOTICE TO CREW AND ADVANCED TRAINEES

Sail Training and Professional Development aboard USCG barque EAGLE

A unique opportunity for Tall Ships America Members to advance their professional training, qualifications, skills, and credentials in a two-week training program aboard America’s Tall Ship.

Program Parameters:  EAGLE will sail on an Officer Candidate Training program,departing New London CT on 10 September and returning New London CT on 23 September 2012.  There will be a brief port visit in Greenport, NY.  CAPT Pulver has graciously offered to include a small number of Tall Ships America working crew and experienced trainees in this program.  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 3 SEPTEMBER 2012, 1700h EDT.

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 OCS 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 OCS trainees.

6.)  The ideal candidate is a mid-level 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 14 days = $168.

Application Process: 

1.)  All applications must be submitted electronically to Tall Ships America at lori@tallshipsamerica.org

2.)  You must be a Tall Ships America member in good standing to apply.

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 EAGLES’ “Welcome Aboard” packet)

            d.) Completed Medical Questionnaire (see EAGLES’ “Welcome Aboard” packet).  NOTE:  This
                   requires a consultation with a medical doctor.

This opportunity is available to you based on the mutual regard and respect that is shared between the EAGLE leadership and Tall Ships America, and in support of our shared mission in promoting leadership training under sail.  This is truly a rare and special opportunity, and we are very happy to be able make it available to you, the up-and-coming next generation of sail training officers and crew.

We expect that all participants in this program will work hard and do their best to uphold the excellent relations that exist between EAGLE and the civilian sail training community, and in all ways observe and respect the policies, procedures, and rules of comportment as established aboard EAGLE.

If you have any questions about this program, please call Bert Rogers or Lori Aguiar at Tall Ships America:  401-846-177

Don’t miss this unique opportunity…….Apply Now!

Sisters Under Sail

I first met Dawn and the Sisters Under Sail program way back in the Great Lakes in 2006 when Unicorn was part of the fleet and I was just getting my bearings in the tall ship community.  Since then, Sisters Under Sail has grown into a bastion of girl-power amongst a primarily male community.  It is always a pleasure to have them as part of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r) fleet and this year I am so excited to work with them, especially after hearing about Dawn’s latest program. Girls aged 13-18 with parents who are currently deployed with the U.S. military have been invited to sail aboard Tall Ship Unicorn this summer for six days.   Click here to learn how you can help sponsor a girl. 

This year, Unicorn has a new captain and a new crew including our very own Libby Drew (Hey Libby!), 2010 summer intern.  It’s always great to see our summer interns still in the tall ship family!  

Unicorn will be part of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE(r) fleet in Greenport, Newport and Halifax. See you soon, girls!

Interested in sailing on Tall Ship Unicorn this summer? There are limited berths left for the summer series.  Visit www.sistersundersail.org and click on either ‘Just for Girls’ or ‘Womens Sailing Program’ to see availability.

Crew membership and health insurance. Like cookies with milk, it just makes sense.

One of the updates we had over the course of our regional meeting (Read about it here. See the photos here), was about the crew membership and health insurance program that ASTA provides for it’s members.

 As an ASTA member, you have an opportunity to purchase health insurance through the special membership program offered through Allen Insurance and Financial. This program is based upon your mariner lifestyle both in and out of U.S. waters. Regardless of your type of vessel, you require coverage providing security, flexibility and benefits unique to today’s marine industry demands.