We are now accepting nominations for the 2023 Sail Training Awards, to be awarded at our 2024 Annual Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships.
Click here to nominate!
The Tall Ships America Sail Training Awards recognize the achievement and contribution of individuals and programs involved in the work and the community of sail training and tall ships. Each year we recognize strong leadership, extra effort, significant impact, and steadfast commitment to our collective work. Receiving a Tall Ships America Award is a high honor and celebration of the people dedicated to the principle that experience under sail strengthens character through authentic challenge. Most recent recipients are shown below. Click on the Awards to see all recipients and read the criteria for each.
Lifetime Achievement
Awarded to an individual who has dedicated their life’s work to getting people to sea under sail and has worked to preserve the traditions and skills of sail training.
2022 – Bart Dunbar
2021 Captain Susan Brittain
2020 Captain Robert Douglas
2018 Captain Bert Rogers
2017 Captain Phil Watson
2016 Eben M. Whitcomb, Jr.
2015 Captain Daniel Moreland
2014 Alix Thorne
2013 Nancy Richardson
2013 Captain Jim Wehan
2012 Captain Jan Miles
2011 Captain George Moffett
2010 Captain James Gladson
2009 Captain Jonathan Bacon “JB” Smith
2008 Captain Karl Mehrer
2008 Captain Walter Rybka
2007 Captain Joe Maggio
2006 Beth Bonds
2006 Captain David Hiott, IV
2005 CAPT David V. V. Wood, USCG (Ret.)
2004 Rafe Parker
2003 Francis MacLachan
2002 Karl Dillman
2001 Captain Lane Briggs
2000 Exy Johnson
2000 VADM Thomas Weschler
1999 Thad Koza
1999 Billy Black
1999 Ward Cleveland
1999 Captain George Glasier
1998 Ernestine Bennett
1998 Harry Anderson
1998 Graeme Smith
1997 Gregg Swanzey
1996 Captain Arthur Kimberly
1996 Tom Gochberg
1995 Nick Fairhurst
1995 Bob Walker
1995 Biff Bowker
Leadership
Awarded to a member of Tall Ships America who has made a significant contribution to sail training through the demonstration of leadership at executive or senior levels, and whose impact has been felt by the sail training community at large, beyond that of their own organization.
2022 – Johnathan Boulware; South Street Seaport
Previous Award Recipients:2021 – Captain Bruce Heyman
2020 – Captain Lauren Morgens, Kalmar Nyckel2018 – Captain Alan Olson, Call of the Sea
2017 – Captain Peg Brandon, SEA Education Association
Leadership
Awarded to a member of Tall Ships America who has made a significant contribution to sail training through the demonstration of leadership at executive or senior levels, and whose impact has been felt by the sail training community at large, beyond that of their own organization.
2022 – Captain Andy Chase
Previous Award Recipients:2021- Bruce Heyman, Los Angeles Maritime Institute
2020 – Captain Lauren Morgens, Kalmar Nyckel
2018 – Captain Alan Olson, Call of the Sea
2017 – Captain Peg Brandon, SEA Education Association
Sail Trainer of the Year
Awarded to a member of Tall Ships America who has made a significant contribution to sail training through the demonstration of leadership by means of empowerment and inspiration.
2022 Captain Billy Sabatini
Previous Award Recipients:
2019- Captain Tiffany Krihwan
2017 Captain Jen Haddock
2016 Captain Matthew Meilstrup, USCG
2015 Captain John Eginton
2014 Captain Aaron Singh
2013 Captain Wes Pulver, USCG
2012 Captain Deborah Hayes
2011 Captain Eric Jones, USCG
2010 Captain Wesley Heerssen
2009 Captain Meghan Wren Briggs
2008 Captain J. Christopher Sinnett, USCG
2007 Captain Ken Neal
2006 Captain Walter Rybka
2005 Captain Tim Pyron
2004 Terry Davies
2003 Captain Jan Miles
2002 Captain Peg Brandon
2001 Captain Bob Hodgson
2000 Captain George Moffett
1999 Captain Daniel Moreland
1998 Alice Moore Robinson
1997 Captain Richard Bailey
1996 Captain Christopher Rowsom
1995 Captain David Wood
1994 Captain Walter Rybka
Sail Training Program of the Year
Awarded to a current Tall Ships America member program that significantly contributes to the development of seamanship, navigation skills, teamwork, and leadership skills. The program is offered aboard a USCG (or national equivalent) inspected vessel, is offered by certified/qualified personnel, has clear training goals and a curriculum compatible to the Tall Ships America sail training logbook and offers students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge at sea by participating as active trainees in the running of the vessel.
2022 The Perry Corps, Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island
Previous Award Recipients: 2021- SEA|Mester 2019 Historic Schooner Roseway 2018 Tall Ship Elissa 2017 Bermuda Sloop Foundation and Spirit of Bermuda 2016 Marimed aboard Makani Olu 2015 US Brig Niagara 2014 Lettie G. Howard 2013 Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) Tall Ship Expeditions aboard the TOLE MOUR 2012 Schooner Pioneer, South Street Seaport Museum 2011 Ocean Classroom High School Semester at Sea 2010 US Brig NIAGARA 2009 BOWDOIN 2008 LYNX Educational Foundation 2007 SPIRIT OF BERMUDA 2006 PICTON CASTLE 2005 Tabor Academy, “Orientation at Sea” TABOR BOY 2004 Camp Schooner Discovery, OCF, Hole in the Wall Gang 2002 “Experience at Sea” LETTIE G. HOWARD 2001 ST. LAWRENCE II 2000 Boston University’s Maritime History in the Atlantic World Course aboard the HMS ROSE 1999 Sea Explorer Program 1998 SALTS 1997 USS CONSTITUTION 1996 BRILLIANT, Mystic Seaport 1995 SWIFT OF IPSWICH 1994 Toronto Brigantine’s PATHFINDER & PLAYFAIR
TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®
Port of the Year 2022 – Tall Ships® Erie
Awarded to a city which has demonstrated significant support of Tall Ships America or a member organization of Tall Ships America and who has furthered public recognition of sail training
Previous Winners: Port of the Year 2018 – Tall Ships® GalvestonCrew Vote 2019 – Tall Ship Celebration Bay City, Michigan
Awarded to a city chosen by vessels and crew members as the best port of call. The vote is based on reports from participating vessels and crew, per a standardized questionnaire
Best New Port 2019 – Tall Ships® Kenosha
Ports or port organizers which are new to the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® are evaluated by Tall Ships America according to their scores in the above categories. Each of the above categories bears equal weight in the decision.
2019 Perry Bowl – PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II
Awarded to the Top Finishing Tall Ships America Member Vessel in the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®
Young Sail Trainer of the Year
Awarded to a sail trainer under the age of thirty to encourage and recognize high-performing individuals who deliver sail training programs for young people at sea.
2021 – Rebecca Johnson
Previous Award Recipients: 2019 – Brandi Poort 2018 – Erin Grieg
Volunteer
Awarded to an individual member of Tall Ships America who has significantly advanced our overall mission through volunteer activities.
2021 – Mary Anne McQuillan
Previous Award Recipients: 2020 – Phil Dunn 2018 Shannon McKenzie 2017 Nelson Chin 2016 Michael Langley 2015 Mark Jensen 2014 Captain Rachael Miller 2013 Captain Rick Miller 2012 Roberta Kacenjar 2011 Captain Deborah Hayes 2010 Captain Jonathan Boulware 2010 Captain Jonathan Kabak 2009 Claudia Bankert 2007 Ron Tasker (Toronto Brigantine’s) 2006 Hal Barstow 2005 Richard Rice 2004 Cathy Spencer 2003 Chuck Fowler 2002 Nancy Richardson 2001 Hisakazu Nakayama 2000 Alison Healy 1999 Thad Koza 1999 Billy Black 1999 Roger Archibald 1998 Graeme Smith 1997 Gregg Swanzey 1996 Tom Gochberg 1995 Nick Fairhurst 1994 Bob Walker
Sea Education Program of the Year
Awarded to a program offered by a current member of Tall Ships America which has significantly contributed to the educational credibility of programs under sail. The program is offered in conjunction with a school, school system, school group or other recognized educational institution; has a clear curriculum of educational goals compatible with curriculum goals of traditional schools; and has qualified instructors on a certified vessel.
2021 – World Ocean School aboard ROSEWAY
Previous Award Recipients: 2019 – Class Afloat aboard GULDEN LEEUW 2017 NOAA Basic Officer Training on board USCGC EAGLE 2016 “Celebrating our Rivers” Place-based Learning Onboard the Floating Classroom Piscataqua 2015 Hudson River Sloop CLEARWATER 2014 Sea Education Association’s SEA SEMESTER®: The Global Ocean 2013 San Diego Maritime Museum 2012 Sound Experience aboard the Schooner Adventuress 2011 SEA|mester 2010 Sea Education Foundation (SEA) 2009 SULTANA 2008 CLASS AFLOAT, West Island College International 2007 Explorer’s Program aboard ALMA 2006 Tall Ship Semester for Girls 2005 Bayshore Discovery Project, A. J. MEERWALD 2004 New York City Harbor School, LETTIE G. HOWARD 2002 BaySail’s Environmental Education Program APPLEDORE IV 2001 Great Lakes Schoolship Program of the Inland Seas Education Association 2000 Class Afloat aboard CONCORDIA 1999 Mercy High School, Tall Ship semester for Girls 1998 Harvey Gamage Foundation 1997 South Street Seaport Museum 1996 Orange County Marine Institute 1995 Living Classroom Foundation 1994 Sea Education Association
Reimagination
New for 2020 and because of 2020 – Reimagination Award: Recognizing a Tall Ships America organizational member who explored options and opportunities, in spite of the challenges of 2020, to achieve positive results in community engagement, fundraising, programming within COVID-19 guidelines, and/or virtual programming through innovation, flexibility, adaptability and engagement.
2020 – Captain Sean Bercaw and the Crew of the Robert C Seamans On Shore and At Sea
