Schooner A.J. Meerwald organization honored by EPA for environmental efforts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Bayshore Discovery Project with an Environmental Quality Award for its high level of its accomplishments in improving the environment. The organization was honored April 29 for its continuing success in achieving its mission to motivate people to take care of the environment through the use of the schooner A. J. Meerwald, the official tall ship of New Jersey.

Taking a sail on the ship is not just about hauling up the sails and dredging for oysters: it is a water going classroom where visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Delaware Bay and other New Jersey coastal waters while they learn how to ensure they are maintained for future generations. With this award. the EPA also acknowledged the years-long efforts, now nearing completion, to preserve and restore the oyster shipping sheds, originally constructed in 1904.  The sheds were used to land the catch, shucking and packing the oysters, for boat repair and construction, and were home to shops used by the oystering community. Once the restoration is complete, the sheds will house the Delaware Bay Museum and Folklife Center, home to artifacts collected by the Bayshore Discovery Project over the years, as well as event space for meetings and presentations and office space for staff.

The Bayshore Discovery Project was one of 30 organizations or individuals to be honored this year in EPA Region 2, which includes New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and seven Native American tribes. Presentation of the awards took place at the Ted Weiss Federal Building in New York City. EPA presents Environmental Quality Awards annually in conjunction with Earth Day. The awards recognize significant contributions to improving the environment and public health in the previous calendar year.

Steven Leonardi, long-time volunteer and former chair of Bayshore Discovery Project's board of trustees, and Laura Johnson, director of development and marketing and also a long-time volunteer, accepted the award on behalf of the Bayshore Discovery Project.

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Schooner Adventuress announces video contest for students in NW Washington state

Updated May 4: The deadline for submitting videos is extended to May 13, 2011. Voting occurs May 16-27. The winner will be announced May 23.

Port Townsend, Wash.—The schooner Adventuress and its owner Sound Experience have announced an online video contest asking kids, parents, and teachers, “Why do YOU want to sail on Adventuress?” Titled “Land to Sea—The Adventuress Video Project,” the contest is aimed at kids, parents, and teachers living in northwestern Washington state, challenging them to create a short video showing why they would like to sail on the historic tall ship. Next month, viewers will be asked to vote on a winner.

The prize is, of course, to sail on Adventuress! The winning class or youth group will receive a three-hour Sound Studies sail for up to 45 students, teachers and parents in mid-June, 2011 from Port Angeles or Port Townsend. Together, the winners will raise the sails, take the helm and experience the majesty of Puget Sound's marine environment aboard the 1913 schooner.

The contest is open to youth living in Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap counties in Washington state in grades three to twelve, along with their teachers and parents. Videos must be two minutes or less. The videos can be sent either in DVD format to Sound Experience at PO Box 1390, Port Townsend, WA, 98368 or uploaded electronically. To upload a video, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for instructions. Videos must be received by Friday, May 6, 2011.

Sound Experience will invite the public to “vote” for their favorite videos during the week of May 9-15, 2011.  All videos will be shown on Sound Experience’s YouTube Channel, where voters can “like” their favorites. The video with the most “likes” will win the contest, and the winner will be announced on May 16, 2011. Videos submitted may be used by Sound Experience, a non-profit organization, for future program promotion.

To learn more about this contest or how your group can sail aboard the Adventuress, visit www.soundexp.org, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or contact Megan Addison at 360-379-0438.

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Sail training program 'Sisters Under Sail' transforms girls' lives for the better

Editors Note: Dawn Santamaria is the founder and executive director of Sisters Under Sail, which offers sail training opportunities for young women on the schooner Unicorn.

Whether you know her or not, you can change a young woman’s life.

Today’s teenage girls too often face a crisis in confidence that leaves them vulnerable to making wrong choices that can result in devastating, lifelong consequences. If her family is financially disadvantaged, the risks are even greater. Access to personal growth and confidence-building opportunities are often out of reach, making it hard for her to believe that she is the captain of her own life.

Your support can help disadvantaged girls find their confidence and experience the adventure of a lifetime!

One girl’s adventure

Ari came onboard from inner city Cleveland. She was tentative, overweight and completely self-conscious of her body. When it came time for a swim call on a hot summer day, everyone, including Ari, jumped into the Lake to cool off. Even though she enjoyed being in the water, climbing back onto the ship’s deck was difficult for her. The swim ladder was thin, laid up tightly against the hull, and Ari couldn’t gain leverage to get herself up. With the assistance of other girls on deck, she was eventually able to climb out of the water. But, she was totally humiliated by the experience.

That afternoon, sporting protective eyewear and holding a power drill, Ari and the first mate built a new swim ladder from thicker, wider blocks of wood. When we tested out the new ladder the next morning, Ari was able to climb out of the water with ease and pride.

Ari’s pivotal moment

From that point forward, beaming and feeling empowered, Ari volunteered for everything! She took the helm and led sail maneuvers. She charted a course and stood watch. For Ari, the ship took over, and our mission was fulfilled. We helped her become part of the process, perhaps for the first time, to find a solution that would impact her life with positive results and build her confidence.

Ari, like so many other girls who have sailed with us, was changed for good, proving once again that Sisters Under Sail is more than a sailing adventure. It’s a voyage of self-discovery specifically designed for young women coming of age. It’s a program that can make all the difference in the world for a deserving girl from a disadvantaged community.

Your gift will help more girls like Ari experience their own pivotal moment and put them at the helm of their own life, too. With your help, we can do so much more, for so many more.

Donate Now to Sisters Under Sail via PayPal

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Schooner Sindbad Foundation formed to restore 1926 staysail schooner in Seattle

Editors note: The Schooner Sindbad Foundation is holding a dinner and music gala to raise funds for the Sindbad. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m., April 22, 2011 at the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, Wash. For more information, call or emaill David Moe, 360-531-1180, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Seattle, typical of all American cities, was founded by people coming from the sea in wind-powered vessels. Waterside villages became urban centers due to the commerce flowing in and out of the harbors. Out of the need for good boats, in environments of bountiful forests, America soon became a leader in making the finest boats. Competition between the boats building ports produced top rate naval architects and shipwrights. American vessels were the valedictorians of their classes. Think of Glory of the Seas in commerce, USS Constitution in military, schooner America in sail racing. Yacht building became one of Seattle’s main industries in the bonanza years of the 1920’s. Seattle yachts were known nationally as seaworthy, fast and stunningly attractive in every detail.

Sindbad is more than a 1926 staysail schooner; she is a northwest legend. Bill Hedley, her first owner, made Sindbad a part of his larger than life personality. Sindbad became a noble gathering place for conversations, or listening to Hedley read classic literature. Everyone within hailing distance on the shores of Puget Sound, the San Juan and Gulf islands were invited aboard with a loud and welcoming shout.

Bill Hedley was concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony. He sailed in the summer. The Seattle Yacht Club was winter home port. Many young sailors who idolized Bill and his exuberant lifestyle got their first schooner experience crewing on Sindbad. If one of his violin students did well on a practice session they would get a Bill Hedley sailing story at practice end, at no charge.

Leigh Coolidge, a naval architect, also called Duke Coolidge was renowned in Seattle and along the Pacific Coast. Coolidge is famous for the Miki-Miki tugboats and raised deck mother cruisers he designed. Beyond Sindbad’s social appeal, she was a stoutly built vessel for blue water sailing. Her massive beam clamp and hanging knees are impressive. The skipper and the schooner are woven into our northwest maritime culture.

Since 1983 the development of the Center for Wooden Boats has taken all my time, and Sindbad was moored in Lake Union with little maintenance. Between 1995 and 2000 the new stem, frames, topside planking, and deck beams were installed. Sindbad needs a lot more. The mission of Sindbad’s restoration is to get her back to sailing condition and operate public benefiting programs that will allow people of all ages, abilities, and economic standard to sail on Sindbad. Sindbad is a unique vessel which has earned the right to sail again.

We formed the Schooner Sindbad Foundation to provide the structure to oversee the restoration of this fine vessel which will allow us to collect monies from contributors large and small to complete the project. The foundation is in the process of obtaining non-profit status. More information can be obtained at www.schoonersindbad.com.

Donation can be send to:

Schooner Sindbad Foundation
Dick Wagner
2770 Westlake North
Seattle, WA 98109
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Photos courtesy Schooner Sindbad Foundation. Are you restoring a historic boat or ship? Send your story and photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .