The Tall Ships America Sail Training Awards recognize the achievements and contributions 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.

You can nominate someone else or yourself/your organization, but each submission must include a nomination letter identifying the nominee and detailing why they are an appropriate recipient of a Sail Training Award. Letters of support for your nomination are helpful in selecting award winners but are not mandatory. The 2025 awards will be handed out at the 2026 Annual Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships.

Awarded to a current Tall Ships America member program that significantly contributes to the development of seamanship, navigation skills, teamwork, and leadership skills and contributes to the sail training and educational credibility of programs under sail The program must be offered aboard a USCG (or national equivalent) inspected vessel, must be offered by certified/qualified personnel, must have clear training goals and a curriculum which is compatible to the Tall Ships America Seagoing Skills Certificate (logbook) and must offer students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge at sea by participating as active trainees in the running of the vessel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Previous Award Recipients:

  • 2021 World Ocean School aboard ROSEWAY
  • 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

Awarded to an individual member of Tall Ships America who has significantly advanced Tall Ships America’s overall mission and whose volunteer activities have had impact beyond their own organization.

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. Nominees must have been employed or volunteered on a Tall Ships America member vessel for the year in which they are nominated.

Nomination Form

Awards
Your name
Your name
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Last
Nominee's name
Nominee's name
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Last

Maximum file size: 268.44MB

Maximum file size: 268.44MB