Woman Boater Inspiration

Seattle sailor Sarah Scott is "...using my platform as a Black woman sailor to connect with other Black women who want to get into sailing, but who might feel excluded by the fact that sailing seems so white." She shares her story in this article in BoatUS:

 Our first female marine pilot, and one of the youngest, and she's a mom! Her job is to board large ships entering or leaving Puget Sound, and guide their captains to ensure safe passage through our waters.

The oldest woman to sail solo nonstop unassisted around the world. The first woman to sail solo nonstop unassisted around the world from North America. The oldest PERSON to sail solo nonstop unassisted around the world. Track to the right shows her going around Cape Horn! 

What one woman can do: 

What is Knot  A Boat?

It is a 8’ BY 8’ bow of a fiberglass boat outfitted as a knot-tying  station. It offers a 3 dimensional  opportunity to learn and practice  tying the many knots that we as boaters need to or should use to make  our boating lives safer and easier but which we are often out of  practice with or have never learned.

Where did the idea for Knot A Boat come from?

It came from the creative imagination of the co-director/creator of  Northwest Women in Boating, Vivian Strolis, who needed a hands-on three  dimensional way of making knot tying stick. It took the focus of  Northwest Women in Boating on helping improve boating skills for greater  safety. It took the supportive community of boat-loving gals to adopt a  unique idea.

Where did Knot A Boat come from?

It came from ‘the depths of the Puget Sound’. Yep, creative Vivian  asked herself, “Where can we get a boat and someone to cut the end off  for us? It turned out that the Derelict Vessel Removal Program were the  perfect source. These are the folks who drag up derelict, sunken boats  from the depths and gather other abandoned boats from around the Sound.  They were so thrilled that someone actually wanted to take one of the  boats off their hands, or at least part of one, that they did the actual  cutting off of the bow to Vivian’s specifications.

Adventuress is a century-old National Historic Landmark tall ship. Sound Experience is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) based in Washington State, USA.  

"Our most popular program - where STEM science, the Salish Sea, and  maritime history come alive - is back for 2022 and has been adapted to  provide a Covid-responsible experience! Join us for 5 days of overnight  programs for girls in grades 7-12. The girls participate directly in  every aspect of sailing the ship, from hauling lines to learning about  navigation and STEAM principles. Through these activities, they’ll learn  the significance of teamwork, how to take responsibility for their own  actions, and the pride of accomplishment. Sailing and learning together  as the ships company, the girls will develop confidence as leaders,  sailors and advocates for the future of the Salish Sea. " 48 North article: https://48north.com/instructional/girls-at-the-helm-inspires-aboard-schooner-adventuress/

What a Woman Can do: Founding Organizer and President Laura Wilbur was inspired by a girl she knew announcing "I don't do math!" 

Laura created after school and summer programs for middle-school aged girls, staffed by volunteers. Held in partnership with local organizations such as the Center for Wooden Boats, Sail Sand Point, Virginia V. Check out some of the cool things they did!