Our Partner in Traditional Sail – Master Mariners Benevolent Association
On May 29th, as on Memorial Day weekends in past years, more than sixty magnificent traditional sailing vessels will be seen racing across San Francisco Bay in the Master Mariners Regatta, a competition that dates back to a race for sailing workboats first held in 1867! In the spirit of working sail, each regatta vessel is sponsored by a maritime organization. Schooner Seaward is always in the thick of the race, proudly flying the “house flag” of our sponsor, the San Francisco Bar Pilots.
In its current form, the Master Mariners Benevolent Association provides a great connection for enthusiasts of traditional boats, with events throughout the year like the New Year’s Race, the Wooden Boat Show, the China Camp BBQ Sail-In, and the Chicken Ship Cruise.
As if that weren’t enough, Master Mariners also supports connecting young people to the sea. Their sponsorship has permitted several deserving teenagers to ship aboard Schooner Seaward for offshore voyages, including the recent Sea Scout coastal passage. Mike Douglas of Master Mariners Benevolent Foundation writes, “This sea educational program for teens packs adventure and learning into a ‘rite of passage’ that will change their lives.”
Check out the Master Mariners website, http://www.mastermariners.org/, for all the news of this fine organization, traditional boat activities, plus an extraordinary collection of photos. And plan a visit to the 17th Annual Wooden Boat Show at Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon,