With spring approaching, it’s time to think about getting out on the water. So, how many of these questions can you say “Yes!” to?

• Do you enjoy being on the water, perhaps especially Lake Michigan?

• Do you enjoy meeting new people?

• Do you enjoy learning new things?

• Do you enjoy testing your mettle a bit?

• Have you ever felt the allure of the sails of old; the romance of the Sea?

• Would you like to crew a tallship?

How many did you say “Yes” to? Did you know you could do all of these things here in West Michigan?

The Michigan Maritime Museum is offering Basic Seamanship classes aboard their replica tallship Friends Good Will, beginning on March 28, 2015.

Basic Seamanship Sail Training Program is open to all (14 year old minimum) regardless of experience. You’ll find that Friends Good Will draws crew from all of West Michigan, Northern Indiana and Illinois, and parts of Wisconsin as well as all walks of life.

Sailing a traditionally rigged vessel is hugely rewarding. As Crew, we help to teach 4th and 5th graders history, team building and self reliance. Watching youth work, again and again to set the mainsail as a team, then seeing the smiles on their faces as they get it. How rewarding is that? We do the same for employees of businesses and corporations. As Friends Good Will takes the Museum’s visitors out on day sails, an extraordinary world is opened up for them. And, because we teach, we also learn, and grow, to our own benefit.

Each time volunteer Marcia Flynn is asked when she will buy her own boat, she responds, “Why? I can sail aboard a tallship and a champion (the Museum’s racing yacht Bernida) any time I like.” And let’s face it, you just can’t beat the beauty of a sunset when viewed from the deck of a tallship.

Basic Seamanship is taught in four parts, with Part I held on Saturday, March 28, at 1:00 pm. Part II is May 2nd, Part III May 9th, and the final session Part IV is on May 16th. Completing all four Basic Seamanship classes allows you the opportunity to become part of the Ship’s Company. You must be a Museum member to crew Friends Good Will. All courses are free to Museum members. Membership in the Michigan Maritime Museum also gives you free access to the Museum and to all kinds of events and classes, including courses on April 26th that include Sail Theory and Sailing Vintage Sailboats, and much more! Why wait?  To register, and for more information, call 1-800-747-3810, or email volunteer@michiganmaritimemuseum.org.