Egan Maritime Institute Announces 2025 Caldwell Heritage Award Honoree
Egan Maritime Institute is proud to name Alfred F. "Alfie" Sanford III as the recipient of the 2025 Caldwell Heritage Award, recognizing his lifelong dedication to preserving and promoting Nantucket's maritime heritage.
The Caldwell Heritage Award is named in honor of Robert Cary Caldwell, the visionary behind the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who, like Caldwell, play a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Nantucket's maritime heritage, including its lifesaving traditions and narrative history. The award is a testament to our community's collective efforts to safeguard our rich maritime legacy.
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Sanford first visited Nantucket as a child and was captivated by the sea. Over the decades, he has become a foundational figure in the island's maritime culture. In 1977, Alfie and his brother Edward founded the Sanford Boat Company, reviving the wooden Alerion Class Sloop using cold-molded epoxy-a technique that helped revive traditional wooden boatbuilding.
Alfie is also a mentor and advocate, freely sharing his expertise and enthusiasm with aspiring sailors, young boatbuilders, and the wider community. His writings and lectures have shed light on the history and art of Nantucket sailing, while his active presence on the waterfront has made him a beloved and respected figure. "Without fanfare, Alfie has taught many young Nantucketers blue water sailing skills-passing on not only technical seamanship but a deep respect for the ocean and the traditions of maritime life," shared Garth Grimmer in his nomination.
Beyond boatbuilding, Alfie has been an owner and manager on Old North Wharf for over 40 years, championing historic waterfront restoration and recovery efforts, most notably after the 1991 "No Name" storm. He has also authored technical and philosophical works such as Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors and a memoir, A Letter for Arabella.
"Alfie's quiet mentorship has inspired several to pursue careers on the water, continuing the island's seafaring legacy. This spirit of hands-on education, heritage preservation, and community impact embodies the very mission of Egan Maritime Institute and reflects the ideals honored by the Caldwell Heritage Award," stated Carlisle Jensen, Executive Director.
Alfie will be presented with the Caldwell Heritage Award by Michelle Maturo, Robert Caldwell's granddaughter.
The 2025 Caldwell Heritage Award is generously sponsored by Jessica and Drew Guff.
Sources
• The Nantucket Historical Association's oral history archives
• Sailing Around Nantucket by Alfred Sanford (Tilbury House, 2019)
• Wooden Boats for Blue Water Sailors and A Letter for Arabella by Alfred Sanford
• "Stories from Ashore" by Envision Resilience
• Sanford Boat Company history and Alerion Class Sloop design documentation
• Interviews and committee notes from the Caldwell Heritage Award selection panel
