Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority

Programs: Education: each year, over 9,000 school children come aboard for our education programs. Our primary service group is 4th and 5th grade students, but we serve all ages. The students sail the ship themselves with direction from our crew, and break into small groups to learn about life aboard in the golden age of sail. Our learning stations include historic replica objects for hands-on learning. Our crew member teachers discuss early navigation, food aboard, trade routes during the pacific fur trade, and how shipping has evolved. This hands-on approach to history teaches critical thinking and encourages teamwork. All of our students are west coast residents, which means the history they are learning is directly relevant to their region. Vocational training: our vessels are an inexpensive, accessible route to jobs in the commercial maritime industry. We currently boast over 70 alumni working in the commercial sector. This industry is currently facing a well-documented labor shortage, in large part due to lack of visibility and the expense of formal schooling through maritime academies. Our two week training program is all-inclusive and costs participants $750. Upon successful completion they are eligible to become volunteer deckhands. With this job experience, they can earn their merchant mariner credentials and access high paying jobs with benefits in the commercial industry. Public sailing: our tall ships visit over 50 communities in washington, oregon, and california. This includes metropolitan centers such as seattle, san francisco, and los angeles, as well as small, isolated coastal communities that anticipate our visit each year. In 2016 alone, our vessels brought over 50,000 people aboard for sailing or walk-on tours. In this capacity, the lady washington and hawaiian chieftain serve as mobile ambassadors, inspiring citizens to learn about american maritime history and become stewards of the ocean environment. The seaport has 45 volunteers contributing thousands of hours of service. The value of in-kind services donated, including the use of equipment and other property, as well as services that require professional or technical expertise totaled $39,350 in 2016.