.png)
All Aboard for Adventure: Tales Aboard Tall Ships from Two Pre-Apprentice Program Alumni
- mshimon
- Jun 25
- 7 min read
Last fall, the Guild launched our first Marine Trades Pre-Apprenticeship program, working with three young adults to introduce them to trades skills, the marine trades industry, and the tall ships community. Alongside skill training, Pre-Apprentices participated in career workshops, site visits to shipyards and tugboat companies, and the annual Tall Ships America conference in Baltimore, MD. After completing their program in March, all three alumni continued into the trades and marine industries. In April and May, two of our alumni - Yvonne "Yve" Flowers-Huffman and Felix Agosto - put their knowledge and skills to the test during 3- and 4- week ride-alongs onboard the Kalmar Nyckel and USCGC Eagle. Here, we've interviewed them to ask about their experiences, what they've learned, and what's next for them!
Felix was joined by fellow crew member, Nate Mackhouse, aboard Eagle!
Felix on USCGC Eagle
So, you’ve done the USCGC Eagle trip from Connecticut to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Going into it, where did you hear about it and what kinds of expectations did you have?
I heard about it from Tall Ships America after they posted this opportunity. I expected to sail across the ocean in a once-in-a-lifetime venture, and this would be my first time out at sea, so I was really just eager to see everything I have heard about in my career so far come to fruition. The waves, the culture of sailors when you’re out at sea, and also I expected to learn about a more structured underway vessel.
How long did you spend aboard, and what was life like when you were underway?
It was 28 days. Life was - in a very interesting way - like a sailorly summer camp in that, while we were there working, helping the Coast Guard, they were very much responsible and competent. If there was an emergency or anything that required that level of professional skill, they were there - they were always there. I joked that if something were to go wrong, I wouldn’t need to go call the Coast Guard, I would just go wake them up. That level of comfort was amazing because being out on the ocean, it was great to feel safe and to feel like I could learn and grow and also have responsibility and be able to lay in with the rest of the crew.
After finishing your journey and having some time to process it, what are some major takeaways you have from the program and how did it affect you?
First and foremost, I have a lot more confidence in myself and my abilities. I have a greater understanding of what matters in life and the relationships that matter. A key lesson I learned that was always prevalent as the ship was rocking and we continued to sail across the ocean - you are in control of your safety.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how safe a vessel is, how well you follow procedure, or how [well] somebody else follows procedure. Rather, you have to make the decision at the end of the day to be safe. If you cut corners, you might learn very quickly why those corners are supposed to be there. That level of awareness is something that I think is good to have in life, because you just might need to see what’s going on and pay attention to everything that is happening to you . The moment you get comfortable, you think “oh, well I’m fine because this process is in place or this structure of society is here.” Something may always happen. Trusting myself is a big takeaway there.
Would you do it again?
Yes. I also think other people should too!
Anything else you want to add?
I would like to thank the engineering department of Eagle for being very welcoming and allowing me to grow and learn with the rest of the crew.
About USCGC Eagle
The USCGC Eagle is a 295-foot, three-masted barque used as a training vessel for future officers of the United States Coast Guard. Known as “America’s Tall Ship,” the majestic Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the Stars and Stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service. Eagle is the seventh U.S. Coast Guard cutter to bear the name in a proud line dating back to one of the original Revenue Cutters built in 1792. Built in Germany in 1936, Eagle was one of three sail-training ships operated by the pre-World War II German navy. At the close of the war, the ship was taken as a war reparation by the U.S., re-commissioned as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and sailed to New London, Connecticut, which has been her permanent homeport ever since. You can learn more about Eagle here.
Yve on Kalmar Nyckel
So, you did the 3-week training for the Kalmar Nyckel this April and May. What were you expecting from this program?
Honestly, I was not thinking that the program was going to be as intense as it was until I received the textbook in the mail. [At] that moment, I knew that it was going to be grueling and involved three weeks. I’ve stayed on boats for long periods of time before, so I wasn’t [worried] about work load or anything, but I was thinking about it. I also [had] only been on Gazela before that point, so stepping aboard [Kalmar Nyckel] the first time was a bit of a shock. They had a significant shortage of belaying pins, no donkey engine, no wheel - it felt antiquated and brand new at the same time!
What kinds of things did you do aboard?
I was doing a three-week training program with four other people while I was there. With the exception of the first couple of days, we would wake up in our bunks at 0700, muster at 0800 or 0830, take two educational sails down the Christina [River], and then sit in what was essentially a lecture for three hours before dinner. Then, we would study the literal, actual textbook they gave us, practice a few knots, and then do it again the next day. Sometimes, I would help [give] museum tours, help with dockside events, or do special education programs with the kids, but most of the time, that was the typical pattern. My bunk was comfortable, the food was good, and I got to see all of the friends I made at this year’s Tall Ships America Conference, some old people from Gazela and other boats I knew, and meet a lot of new people. All in all, it was a good experience.
What are some major takeaways you have from the training?
I am not sure, the Kalmar Nyckel was a great experience and I feel very well versed with her rigging and how to run a ‘tight ship’. It did feel very rigid at times, but with that, the structure was nice too. I hope to continue to work with Gazela, Kalmar Nyckel, and any other tall ships that would take me, because the community is beautiful and tying knots are fun, despite the fact that tying a Kalmar bowline is the worst.
Anything else you would like to add?
Hi Laurie!
About Kalmar Nyckel
The original Kalmar Nyckel was one of America’s pioneering colonial ships. She brought the settlers who founded the colony of New Sweden in 1638 and established Fort Christina, the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley. Today's Kalmar Nyckel is a full-scale replica of the original Swedish colonial ship, a floating classroom, and inspirational centerpiece for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s broad array of sea- and land-based educational programs that engage students and visitors of all ages. You can learn more the Tall Ship of Delaware and their programming here.
Why a Maritime Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program?
The Marine Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program is more than just a training initiative; it's a pathway to a brighter future for our participants. For decades PSPG volunteers have discovered careers in maritime trades through the Guild. This program focuses those proven capabilities on a demographic that can greatly benefit: young Philadelphians aged 18-26. By targeting this age group, we aim to offer participants a unique opportunity to discover their passion and potentially build a career in marine trades. By providing them with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in the maritime industry, we are helping to create a diverse and skilled workforce that will contribute to the preservation of our maritime heritage.
This program was made possible through the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation, which provided the Guild a $50K challenge grant in 2024 to help us raise the funds needed to support the first iteration of our program.
About the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation
The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation is a charitable foundation established by Brook J. Lenfest in 2000, whose trustees include Brook and his mother Marguerite. It is dedicated to making people aware of positive life choices and providing support and opportunities for those motivated to pursue them. Its grants focus mainly on education, job training and mentoring programs.
Philadelphia Foundation provides administrative and management support services for the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation. It receives grant applications and distributes grants approved by the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation Board of Directors.
About Philadelphia Foundation
Founded in 1918, Philadelphia Foundation strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia Foundation grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation manages more than 1,000 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more visit www.philafound.org.
Comments