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Running Free April 2026
From the Bridge
I have a confession.
I went on a cruise to see the band Creed.
I'll give you a second to process that.
For what it's worth, it was my first cruise in over 25 years, and I'm not even that big of a Creed fan (don’t tell the band). I know a handful of songs — enough to sing along, not enough to pass a quiz. But two close friends were going and they made the case and, sometimes, that's all it takes. You don't go for the headliner. You go for the people and the experience.
And here's the thing: that's exactly what happened. Three thousand people on a boat, many of whom hadn't thought about "Higher" since the early 2000s, and yet the energy was incredible. Not because anyone had suddenly rediscovered a deep love of post-grunge rock — but because they were together. They were sharing something. Singing songs they hadn't sung in years with people who remembered the same era, the same feelings, the same version of themselves. It was community dressed up as a concert.
Sound familiar? It should.
The tall ships world runs on shared experience. Shared language. Shared identity. That's the product. It always has been. The ships are magnificent, the ocean is humbling, and the skills are real. But, the thing that keeps people coming back, the thing that makes someone say "that changed my life", is the feeling of belonging to something. And that, more than anything, is what Tall Ships America is here to support and protect.
Everything we do - the Women Offshore Foundation roundtables, the Community Musters, the role-based networking discussions, our annual conference, and a host of scholarships that help get people on deck- all of it exists for the same reason those people got on that Creed cruise: because it feels good to be part of something bigger than yourself, and because those connections matter long after the music stops. But as much as we honor what this community has been, we also need to look ahead. What does the future of tall ships, and Tall Ships America, look like? We can't answer that alone.
That's one of the reasons we're so excited about our new partnership with the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA). Partners like NAMEPA help us expand our reach in ways we can't do on our own, through jointly supporting each other's grants, collaborating on conference presentations, and finding meaningful ways to champion each other's missions. It's exactly the kind of forward-looking relationship that makes both organizations stronger, and we're excited to do some great work together.
Partnerships like these help us grow outward. But growing in the right direction? That has to come from you.
We've been taking a hard look at our membership-what we offer, how we serve you, and whether it actually reflects what you need. The truth is, we won't know unless you tell us. So we've put together a survey, and we're hoping you'll take a few minutes to share your thoughts. It can be completed anonymously but, if you include your name, you'll be entered to win a Zhik OFS600™ Offshore Cruising Jacket ($340 value). The survey will be open for the next two weeks and your input will directly shape where we go from here.
This community has always been built by the people in it. Help us make sure we're building it right.
Tall Ships America and NAMEPA Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Maritime Education & Workforce Development
Tall Ships America and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership formalized through a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This collaboration establishes a framework for the two nonprofit organizations to work together in support of shared priorities, including maritime education, environmental awareness, workforce development, and public engagement across the maritime industry.
“Tall Ships America is thrilled to partner with NAMEPA as we work toward a common vision of inspiring the next generation through maritime experiences while protecting the waters that make those experiences possible,” said Stu Gilfillen, Executive Director of Tall Ships America. “By aligning our efforts, we can expand our impact—connecting people to the sea while reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship across the maritime community.”
Through this partnership, Tall Ships America and NAMEPA will leverage their respective networks, expertise, and programs to strengthen awareness of the maritime sector and its career opportunities, while promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable best practices. The organizations will collaborate on cross-promoting initiatives, sharing resources, engaging industry stakeholders, and identifying opportunities for joint programming and funding.
“The Tall Ships America community represents a group of natural environmental stewards—individuals whose deep connection to and reliance on the water uniquely positions them to lead by example. said Molly Dushay, Executive Director of NAMEPA. Together, we also share a strong commitment to growing the maritime workforce. Partnerships like this are essential to inspiring, educating, and preparing more people to pursue careers on and around the water.”
The agreement reflects a shared belief that collaboration across organizations strengthens the maritime ecosystem and enhances the collective impact of educational and industry initiatives. Both organizations will remain independent while working together to advance programs and initiatives aligned with their missions.
Mark Your Calendars for our Fall Musters!
Registration will open on our website soon.
Women+ Maritime Digital Roundtables
We are excited to continue our monthly online series in partnership with Women Offshore.
This session will be hosted by Liz Schmidt, a maritime professional and nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic operations, community programming, and maritime industry advocacy. In this space, we set aside titles, ranks, and credentials so we can focus on the real experiences that shape our time on the water. By speaking openly and listening to one another, we strengthen the sense of community, professionalism, and resilience that defines our industry.
Join a growing community of supporters who believe that sail training builds the next generation of mariners, leaders, and maritime professionals. We provide the education, skills training, and institutional relationships that create life changing.
We’re asking 1,000 people to give $10 a month. That’s $120,000 a year in reliable, recurring support — the kind that allows us to make commitments, not just plans.
The Technical Apparel Partner of Tall Ships America
Zhik makes innovative sailing gear that pushes technological boundaries and propels the industry forward. We work with world class athletes and sailing enthusiasts, to capture generations of sailing knowledge within our ranks.
At the core of all our products and actions is one key value: Made for Water.
The water is at the centre of what we do. Our passion for the water drives us to push the boundaries of technology, design and performance in water sports apparel. We challenge the status quo, identify problems, and find breakthrough solutions to continually set the benchmark.
Tall Ships America members receive 25% off USD retail pricing for all purchases made by Tall Ships America organizational members for their own operational needs.
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