Tall Ship Lynx Partnership

What a summer! We had a wonderful summer on the water with the Tall Ship Lynx! This year was memorable for so many reasons; not only did students sail aboard the Lynx for historic Sail250 events, but we also brought students aboard the Lynx in August, partnering with local summer camps to expose more local children to the wonders of on-the-water education. As always, all of our youth-based programs on the Lynx are 100% free.

The 2026 season began differently than usual, with four Nantucket High School students joining the Lynx in Baltimore and Boston for Sail250 events. From the moment they stepped aboard, our students were fully immersed in life at sea. Sailing alongside the experienced Lynx crew, they learned what it truly means to work as a team, handling lines, standing watch, and keeping the ship running.

When the ship docked, our students stepped into their role as ambassadors. They welcomed visitors aboard for deck tours, sharing their knowledge of the Lynx's history and helping guests connect with the rich tradition of sail. The harbors were alive with masts and rigging as vessels from around the world gathered for the festival. Our students had the rare opportunity to tour both international and U.S. tall ships.

Plus, during the historic parade of sails, the Lynx was fortunate to have Channel 5 WCVB on deck to interview the students and learn more about our program!

To read more about this incredible opportunity, click here. Thanks to our local paper, the Inquirer and Mirror, for covering these events.

To see Carlisle's interview with WCVB, click here!

Once the Lynx returned to Nantucket, it was business as usual.

Egan Maritime hosted numerous sails - from sunset sails to daytime harbor cruises; it was a great summer on the water. A highlight was a special sunset photography sail with Life with Matt and, of course, our on-the-water concerts with local band Ripe for the Picking.

This summer, instead of the traditional June sails with the Nantucket School system, Egan Maritime has partnered with the Nantucket Community School, Nantucket Boys and Girls Club, Maria Mitchell Association, and Small Friends to provide special daytime sailing opportunities during August. The Lynx sails were integrated into these organizations’ camp schedules, all of which primarily serve local Nantucket families through summer camps and summer school programming.

These sails were extra special, as they offered many local youth their first opportunity to explore Nantucket's harbor. When one young camper took the wheel, "Look, I am driving the ship; this is what we call a core memory." What a statement from a 7-year-old!

All youth sails aboard the Lynx are free for Island youth. By removing this cost barrier and partnering with established Island camps that primarily serve year-round residents, we provided additional enrichment opportunities to local youth who would typically sail with Egan during the school year.

Thank you to our very generous sponsors:

Sail 250 Sponsors

Stephen and Joanne Caulfield

Dennis and Connie Keller

Addison Hanan

Nancy Rosenthal

Sue Storey, SHOREPOINT ADVISORY GROUP.

Alfred Sanford

These experiences are 100% free and supported through generous donations. If you want to support the 2025 sailing season, please email Carlisle Jensen at cbjensen@eganmaritime.org or click here

Since 2014, Egan Maritime has partnered with the Tall Ship Lynx to provide on-the-water sailing opportunities. In a typical year, during May and June, Egan and the Lynx Educational Foundation work together to offer a unique experience for local students. Sailing aboard the historic Tall Ship Lynx—a cornerstone of the Egan Maritime student experience—provides an unparalleled experiential educational opportunity. Over 500 local students climb aboard the Lynx each year, immersing themselves in Nantucket’s maritime history and oceanography while applying what they learn in the classroom to their sailing experiences. These opportunities are completely free and funded by generous donations.

Our Lynx sails are about more than just sailing; they aim to inspire future learning and career opportunities. At Egan, we aspire to cultivate the next generation of “Salty Nantucketers.” Our sails include two extended expeditions of three and five days, during which students learn the ropes and build confidence at sea. Upon their return, these youth earn the title of Student Mariner.

Egan's Tall Ship Sails offers many local youth their first opportunity to explore Nantucket's harbor. All youth sails aboard the Lynx are offered free of charge to Island youth

Thank you to our very generous sponsors:

Sail 250 Sponsors

Stephen and Joanne Caulfield

Dennis and Connie Keller

Addison Hanan

Nancy Rosenthal

Sue Storey, SHOREPOINT ADVISORY GROUP.

Alfred Sanford

These experiences are 100% free and supported through generous donations. If you want to support the 2025 sailing season, please email Carlisle Jensen at cbjensen@eganmaritime.org or click here.

The Tall Ship Lynx is an educational sailing vessel dedicated to hands-on educational programs that teach the history of America’s struggle to preserve its independence, with close attention to the maritime challenges during the War of 1812. The replica Privateer Schooner employs a comprehensive, interactive program designed to enrich personal achievement through teamwork and the discipline of sailing.

Lynx is an interpretation of an actual privateer, Lynx, built by Thomas Kemp in 1812 in Fell’s Point, Maryland. The original Lynx was among the first ships to defend American freedom; she evaded the British naval fleet, which was blockading American ports at the time, and served in the important privateering efforts. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, the American Navy consisted of only 17 ships – eight frigates, two brigs, and seven assorted smaller vessels including a few schooners which where in service during the Barbary Wars. When a nation went to war, owners of private vessels were granted special permissions, called “letters of marque,” to prey upon the enemy’s ships; earning the title of “privateers.” While rarely engaging enemy warships, the impact of privateers was felt by English merchants who insisted on warship escorts for their vessels.

In order to perform their duty as an escort, warships were drawn away from engaging the scant American Navy and blockading our coast, and thus the privateers, motivated by profit, assisted in our national defense. Privateers were so effective at running the British blockade and harassing the British merchant fleet that the ship yards that built them, became primary targets for British revenge.