This last year of the pandemic saw the world-wide fleet of tall ships mostly hunkered down or hauled out for accelerated maintenance, and sail training programs and vessel operators took this time to get creative and double down on mission-based education through virtual channels. Across the fleet, programs and operators created collaborative approaches to highlighting the significant role sail training and the tall ships play to inspire and educate the next generation of maritime and blue economy workforce.

The consequence of the pandemic lock down is a significantly greater need for mariners just as ships and programs get back on the water and underway. By providing essential training in seafaring skills, nautical sciences and leadership the tall ships create significant opportunities for young people to learn about and become interested in the maritime industry and the marine environment. And the ships create access to career opportunities, modern apprenticeships and shipboard experiences.

Tall Ships America is delighted to be part of the Maritime Primary Secondary Education Coalition to expand the school to ship to career connections. We focus on mission-based Adventure and Education Under Sail® and offer a variety of ship-board and shore side programs to a diverse audience. Captain Billy Sabatini of the Flagship Niagara League and Dr. Kris Von Wald of Tall Ships America are the tall ships editors for MPSEC and are eager to share resources, opportunities and adventure to students, job seekers, and workers from across the North American fleet of sail training vessels.