CAUSES WE SUPPORT

SALTY DAWG SAILING ASSOCIATION

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association is an educational and charitable organization dedicated to the maritime community. SDSA stands as a beacon for both experienced and novice boating enthusiasts, founded to educate, build camaraderie, and facilitate offshore passages.

Through a range of activities such as Rallies, Educational Seminars, Webinars, and Rendezvous, the organization aims to help individuals realize their dreams of long-distance cruising. The core principle of SDSA is knowledge transfer from veteran sailors, affectionately termed "Salty Dawgs", to those less experienced. This sharing of wisdom and expertise enables independent decision-making and fosters the development of offshore confidence among boating enthusiasts.

SDSA is a volunteer-led organization with a strong focus on community. With its initiatives, it educates, empowers, and builds a network of sailors who believe in helping each other. It embodies the spirit of maritime camaraderie: sailors helping sailors.

ANNAPOLIS TO NEWPORT RACE

The Annapolis to Newport Race is an exciting offshore sailing race that spans approximately 475 nautical miles along the eastern coast of the United States. This renowned biennial event attracts sailors worldwide and has become a favorite among competitive sailors and sailing enthusiasts. The race begins in Annapolis, Maryland, a historic sailing town known for its picturesque waterfront and vibrant sailing community. From there, participants embark on a challenging journey, navigating the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and finally reaching their destination in Newport, Rhode Island.

With its diverse and unpredictable weather conditions, the Annapolis to Newport Race poses a thrilling test of skill, strategy, and endurance for sailors. The race typically takes place in early summer, allowing participants to encounter a range of wind patterns and tidal currents. Sailors must carefully plan their routes, taking advantage of favorable winds while avoiding potential hazards. The race offers a unique blend of tactical coastal sailing and open ocean passages, providing competitors with an exciting and dynamic racing experience. The Annapolis to Newport Race is a thrilling display of seamanship, navigation and a celebration of the sailing community and its deep-rooted passion for the sport.

OCEAN RESEARCH PROJECT

ORP collaborates closely with scientists to design sailing expeditions that enable small teams of researchers to collect data and observations. By sharing this information widely, the organization aims to increase public awareness, particularly among younger generations, and inspire positive change to protect the Ocean and promote a thriving marine environment. One of ORP's significant initiatives is the GO-MARIE Program, which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to oceanographic research. Through this program, ORP takes action toward achieving these goals.

The organization was founded in 2012 by Matt Rutherford, an experienced sailor who completed a solo circumnavigation of the Americas. During his journey, he witnessed the extensive presence of plastic trash in the Ocean, which led him to establish ORP to address marine debris as their initial focus.

ORP acquired a steel schooner, the RV Ault, and embarked on its first expedition in 2013. Over the years, they have expanded their research efforts, sailing over 25,000 miles and conducting various studies. ORP believes sailing vessels can provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional research ships. They envision creating a global network of research-ready sailing ships to support marine science.

In addition to their research endeavors, ORP places great importance on increasing public awareness and education. They incorporate educational initiatives and citizen science programs into their mission to change human behavior by raising awareness about the abundance of single-use plastics and their environmental impacts.

U.S. PATRIOT SAILING

Founded in 2012, the 100% volunteer-run nonprofit has tenaciously pursued its objective of connecting veterans through the sport of sailing, creating supportive communities in which vets take part in racing, training, rest and relaxation initiatives, and more. U.S. Patriot Sailing's determined and successful approach has a life-changing impact on the veteran communities they serve, funded solely by grants and donated vessels.

Since receiving its 501(c)3 status in 2013, the U.S. Patriot Sailing organization has welcomed veterans to the sport of sailing nationally. Entirely operated by volunteers, the programs they facilitate are building a new generation of competitive sailors—in some cases revitalizing the sailing population in areas where the sport has declined. While much of the organization's programming puts veterans on the water in competitive racing teams, they offer some ASA Certifications, Safety at Sea courses, instructor qualifications, and R&R opportunities. As veterans become skippers, many invite more vets to join them, creating and strengthening supportive veteran communities wherever they dock. Sailing is uniquely suited as a sport where previously deployed veterans can participate regardless of age and ability and reintroduce them into a team environment of healthy stress.