Dedicated to educating students in maritime history, the tall ship Denis Sullivan has sailed its way into New Bedford.
A 137-foot schooner, it was named Denis Sullivan after the longest-serving tall ship captain to sail the Great Lakes region.
For the past twenty years, the ship has served as a “floating classroom,” built entirely by volunteers under the direction of the Wisconsin Lakes Schooner Education Association in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Its purpose is to educate individuals about the Great Lakes, marine ecology, stewardship, and seamanship. The ship serves as an educational tool, providing hands-on experiences and interactive lessons.
In 2022, World Ocean School acquired the ship and obtained its Certificate of Inspection as a Sailing School Vessel.
World Ocean School is a nonprofit organization based in Boston and St. Croix, USVI, which provides educational programming to more than 600 students annually along the eastern seaboard.
The Denis Sullivan, a tall ship that is part of the World Ocean School
The Denis Sullivan then embarked on a voyage with AmeriCorps volunteers to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where it began its journey with the World Ocean School. It has since hosted numerous students, teaching them about the ocean and basic maritime skills.
Now with its home port in Boston, the ship continues to serve as a valuable platform for learning nautical knowledge, life lessons, STEM skills, and teamwork.
Why is Denis Sullivan in New Bedford?
From now until Sept. 24, the Dennis Sullivan will be docked at the State Pier in New Bedford. This is the first stop on their journey southward.
The students aboard, who are part of an overnight program, will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s rich culture and maritime history. They will explore the Whaling Museum and the Seaport Art Walk, as well as sail to Tarpaulin Cove with the staff of the Buzzards Bay Coalition.
“During this visit, we hope to forge meaningful connections with local organizations and inspire a connection to tall ship sailing,” said Nona Hunter, Program Manager for World Ocean School aboard the Dennis Sullivan. “
“Our stay in New Bedford these next few days is both a great opportunity for our Deckhand Educators to learn about New Bedford’s history and for the local community to meet World Ocean School and Denis Sullivan,” said Hunter.
The ship plans to return to New Bedford next summer to welcome even more students aboard. In the meantime, visitors are welcome to stop by and say hello to the crew while the ship is in port.
For more information about Denis Sullivan, visit https://www.worldoceanschool.org.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Tall ship Denis Sullivan has sailed to New Bedford. What to know