Youth educational non-profit Sailing Ships Maine, based in Portland, has won two major national awards it was announced today by Tall Ships America and the American Sail Training Association.
At Tall Ships America’s annual conference, Sailing Ships Maine Senior Captain Anna Maria Hansen was seleted as US Young Sail Trainer of the Year and Sailing Ships Mane, the program she leads, was named US Sea Education Program of the Year.
Hansen, who has sailed 4 seasons with Sailing Ships Maine, two as Captain and two as mate prior to earning her USCG Captain’s license, was reached in Patagona where she is leading outdoor experiental trips this winter.
“Thank you so much for the unexpected honor. I fell really touched by the recognition. I feel deeply fortunate to offer meaningful wilderness experiences and voyages of self-discovery for young people. I cannot imagine work more worth doing than to empower youth to develop problem-solving skills, communication, teamwork and environmental awareness,” she wrote in acknowledging the award.
Hansen will be leading one week sail training trips this year in Maine starting in May and sailing into October. Space is still available on selected summer sail training voyages.
“We are profoundly grateful to Tall Ships America for the recognktion of Sailing Ships Maine as the Sea Education Program of the Year. Sailing Ships Maine’s mission is to deliver experiential learning programs at sea and create life-changing opportunities for teens of all abilities and income levels to discover the ocean environment, expand leadership skills and consider further maritime training. As Mainers and lovers of the sea, we feel a responsibiliy to support the marine economy, provide access to the ocean and traditional sailing ships, and preserve our maritime heritage. Our reward for this work is seeing the joy, learning and personal growth that our trainees experience on their voyages. This recognition is icing on that cake,” wrote Dr. Chris Wellins, of Cape Elizabeth, and Chair of Sailing Ships Maine Board.