The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven is seeking volunteers to serve as crew members on its tall ship, the Friends Good Will.
Maritime Museum Education Director Ashley Deming tells us the ship is crewed by both staff and volunteers who take the public on trips out into Lake Michigan each summer. That’s why the museum is signing volunteers up now for its Basic Seamanship Training program.
“They’re going to learn a lot about the sail handling experience, some basic seamanship skills, how to set the sails, a lot of that kind of introduction for that,” Deming said. “Of course, the safety on the boat — that’s really important to us for everyone aboard, including our passengers and crew. And then because we do take passengers, they’re also going to function a little bit like historical interpreters, so we’ll cover some of that information and what it means to be a volunteer here at the Michigan Maritime Museum.”
The training dates are March 29, April 26, and May 17 and 18, with both classroom and on-water instruction. Deming says to serve, a volunteer must attend all sessions.
Deming says the museum has some volunteers who have sailed on the Friends Good Will since the first year it was stationed at the museum, way back in 2004.
To volunteer, you must be at least 16 years of age and a member of the Michigan Maritime Museum. To sign up, email captain@mimaritime.org or call 269-637-8078, extension 5.
