Tall Ship Volunteer Crew Program

The Tall Ship Red Witch has started a two level volunteer programs, the "Weekly Volunteer" and "Volunteer Sailing Crew" program. These programs are designed to allow people access to skills and experiences unique to Tall Ships.

Sailors from times gone by, have worked their way up through the ranks, to earn the few and the prized positions aboard Tall Ships. As we are a small ship, and which carries only a small crew, we are developing our program that will allow potential future crew to show what they can do. Also, we encourage others who just want to take part and to help maintain Chicago's only traditional wooden Tall Ship, to join the fun.

The first step:
Every Saturday Morning, 9AM, for 3-4 hours, you are invited to help us with maintaince and general up-keep of a wooden schooner. You can will come aboard and help the crew with the daily, weekly, and monthly tasks at hand.

This time worked will not be without rewards. You will be trained in skills and traditions that Tall Ship sailors have used for centuries. For the ones who show the dedication to be a Tall Ship sailor, they may have the privilege and the opportunity to become a second level volunteer crew as well! First level volunteers may also be invited to sail with us, when space is available on ticketed events!

No xBox here... but conversation of these 3 did include video games!

Capt Jim showing what needs to be done.

• Refinishing wood surfaces
• Knots and their uses on ships
• Engine and sail repair
• rigging repair
• Tall Ship specialists will be brought in occasionally, in to teach in these areas

The second step:
The second level will be our Volunteer Sailing Crew positions! The second level crew will be predominately chosen from our first tier volunteers. These will be crew who will be working along side our professional crew and will be sailing along with us, and they will be there to learn and do, what a crew member does on a Tall Ship like ours while underway.

Some of the skills and duties are listed here:

• Safety - what are the safety details of this ship and how to use them
• Sailing Techniques used on Schooners
• Sail Trim - how to work the sails
• Customer safety and assistance
• Docking procedures
• After charter boat cleanings

In conclusion

In short, we are pleased offer such a basic Tall Ship training opportunity aboard our Tall Ship. If you are interested in this program, please call us for information and more details and information. Please contact us before "showing up" to help as we will have assigned crew and tasks for those who we are expecting. The email to write is captbruce@lakeshoresail.com

Thank God for Black & Decker!

Here are the first days results!