Evening Sail on the Sigsbee

Join us for an evening sail on the Sigsbee, the traditional oyster boat of Maryland. Here is your chance to learn a bit about sailing as well as engage in hands-on marine science from our friends at the Living Classroom Foundation. Activities will include water quality testing, plankton trawling with microscope exploration, trawl fishing for marine life, oyster dissection, bird morphology and identification, setting sail, and steering the ship. Bring a light dinner and beverage: alcohol is allowed, too.

The Sigsbee is a Chesapeake Bay skipjack, the official state boat of Maryland. She was built in 1901 and used to dredge commercially until 1993. In 1994, she was rebuilt and certified to carry passengers. For a century, fleets of these boats could be seen hauling oysters. With the decline of oystering in the late 1900s, fewer of these old boats remained until only about two dozen skipjacks were working on the Chesapeake, all in Maryland. Today, only a few are still dredging for oysters, and about 30 boats are still in use for education and tourist trips.

• Ages 18 and up
• Temperatures drop when out on the water, especially in the evening. Bring a jacket.
• Bring drinks and a light dinner. An ice chest will be available.
• Closed-toe shoes are mandatory on board.
• Illegal drugs, marijuana, or firearms are not allowed.
• Allow plenty of time to park in the garage, walk to the dock, and check in. The ship leaves promptly at 6 pm.
• A restroom is available at the dock and on board.