Lot’s of Exciting Sail Training News from South Carolina Last Week

There was some great news last week coming out of South Carolina.

First, on July 17th, the South Carolina Maritime Foundation hosted a Whiskey Plank Celebration to commemorate laying the final hull plank for the Schooner Spirit of South Carolina. Read the Post & Courier article.

Then on July 18th the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation announced that they hired Tony Arrow as captain of the Schooner Spirit of South Carolina. Press Release. Tony is a great professional mariner, experienced sail trainer and longtime ASTA member and supporter. We wish him the best with this exciting opportunity.

Lot’s of exciting things have taken place on this project since Brad and Meghan Van Liew arrived in Charleston. The 2006 ASTA Conference will be in their city and I look forward to getting a first hand look at the ship and learning more about the programs they have planned.

While South Carolina will soon have it’s own official tall ship, it can also soon boast about having one of it’s natives commanding America’s Tall Ship the USCGC Barque EAGLE. On Saturday July 29th there will be a Change of Command Ceremony in Newport, RI with Captain Eric Shaw handing over the keys to Captain Chris Sinnett. Read The State article about Captain Sinnett.

We wish Captain Sinnett the best and we look forward to seeing Newport resident Captain Shaw around the ASTA office more often!

Kind of like winning the Super Bowl and the World Series in the same year!