Join The Sailing Crew

Join more than 250 volunteer crew members and learn the art of 17th-century square-rigged sailing aboard a full-scale replica of the original 1638 Kalmar Nyckel. Our comprehensive crew training program prepares you to sail and care for Kalmar Nyckel, while discovering the history of one of America’s great colonial ships. No experience needed!

Crew Training

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation offers crew training classes four times a year at our Copeland Maritime Center shipyard campus in Wilmington.

Winter classes run from mid-January through mid-April on Saturdays from 9 am to 12:30 pm and 9 am to 4 pm. In the spring, we offer a three-week live-aboard program that allows you to learn to sail during our education season. Both programs provide opportunities to meet and work with our crew.


Experienced square-rigged sailors, who are seeking to join our crew for several months, can check out our independent study crew training class.


Crew Training Requirements

A registration fee covers class materials, a background check (paid to third-party Intellicorp Company), and a drug test (required by the U.S. Coast Guard). The required fees vary from class to class.

  • All KNF staff and volunteers are encouraged to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations per CDC recommendations.
  • Ship’s staff (employees of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation) and live aboard volunteers staying more than three months are required to be fully vaccinated, plus have at least one COVID-19 booster.
  • Sailing crew must be at least 18 years old, or ages 14 to 17 with a parent/guardian approval.
  • All crew must be physically able to safely perform all skills needed to sail the ship and keep our guests safe.
  • Plan to spend time studying at home, practicing knot tying daily, as well as practicing skills on board the ship. Homework assignments include reading the manual, worksheets, practicing knots and belays on the ship, and other hands-on studying on board the ship.

Sailing Our Ship
Crew training class is required for all volunteers who are interested in joining our sailing crew. Once trained, volunteers are eligible to participate in day sails and weeklong voyages to other ports.

 

Sailing crew must maintain active crew status by putting in 20 hours of volunteer time each year and taking an annual three-hour crew refresher class before sailing. You can get started on your 20 volunteer hours when our ship maintenance season starts in November. 

How To Register

To register for crew training classes, choose a seasonal training page using the links at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions in the link. If you have questions about volunteering, please contact Captain Sharon Dounce or call the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation office (302) 600-7917. 

 

Drug and Alcohol Policies
All participants are subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation random drug testing program, which prohibits the use of federally illegal drugs including marijuana and CBD oils (even if they are legal in your state for recreational or medicinal use). Participants must also have no alcohol in their system eight hours before and during participation. 
 

Policies & Recommendations

What To Wear

Class is held rain or shine. Warm clothes and sturdy shoes are highly recommended.

 

Volunteer Hours 

Crew members are required to perform 20 hours of volunteer time to help maintain the ship, serve our education program, and/or lead tours for our ship/building before they are eligible to sail. This is an annual requirement.  Volunteers can start their 20 volunteer hours each season in early November.