Index
Join the Crew
A Program Under Development
American Saudade, Inc. (ASI) is designing a crew participation program aboard S/V American Saudade, our 1985 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37.
The program will connect practical sailing and responsible seamanship with maritime history, education, cultural exploration, and community involvement. Participants may eventually help sail, maintain, document, and support the vessel as she becomes an active platform for ASI’s mission.
The vessel refit and crew program remain under development. Sailing opportunities will depend on demonstrated vessel readiness, qualified leadership, appropriate insurance, and established operating procedures.
We are building the foundation now so that future participation can be purposeful, organized, and appropriate to each individual’s experience and abilities.
Different Waters, Different Responsibilities
ASI is developing several pathways for participation: Narragansett Bay sailing, coastal sailing, racing and regattas, and offshore passages.
Each activity presents different demands. An introductory afternoon on the Bay requires a different level of preparation than an overnight coastal passage or an extended Atlantic voyage.
Crew selection will consider the intended activity, assigned responsibilities, sailing experience, training, physical capabilities, and ability to work constructively with others. Progression will depend on demonstrated readiness rather than interest alone.
Narragansett Bay Sailing
Narragansett Bay is envisioned as the starting point for introductory sailing, vessel familiarization, and supervised crew development.
Beginners may have opportunities to learn alongside experienced sailors. Initial preparation would include a dockside orientation, properly fitted personal flotation equipment, safe movement aboard, basic sailing terminology, line handling, and emergency procedures.
Participants would need to follow instructions, communicate concerns, and safely carry out their assigned responsibilities.
The Bay program could also provide opportunities to explore local maritime history, working waterfronts, navigation, and the relationship between coastal communities and the sea.
Coastal Sailing
Coastal sailing would offer a progression toward longer trips, greater responsibility, and more varied conditions.
Participants would generally need basic sailing competence demonstrated through previous experience, recognized instruction, or supervised assessment aboard American Saudade.
Preparation would include sail handling and reefing, lookout duties, basic navigation, communications, crew-overboard procedures, and familiarity with the vessel’s safety equipment. Trips involving darkness would require additional preparation for night operations.
These experiences would help crew members develop judgment, endurance, and confidence while learning to function as a coordinated team.
Racing and Regattas
Participation in selected races and regattas may provide opportunities to develop boat handling, communication, teamwork, and disciplined seamanship while introducing ASI’s mission to the wider sailing community.
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Crew members would need to prepare for their assigned positions, practice aboard the vessel, and be familiar with relevant racing procedures and safety requirements.
Requirements would reflect the event. A daytime race in Narragansett Bay would require different preparation than an overnight or offshore race.
Participation would depend on the vessel’s suitability, insurance approval, event requirements, and crew readiness.
Offshore Passage Opportunities
Offshore participation would require the highest level of preparation.
Prospective crew members would be expected to demonstrate coastal sailing competence, complete qualifying sails, and show that they can contribute reliably to watchkeeping, vessel routines, and life aboard a small vessel for an extended period.
Preparation would include night sailing, emergency drills, communications, personal safety equipment, fatigue management, and offshore safety training appropriate to the passage.
Medical readiness would be reviewed in relation to the voyage, assigned duties, and potential distance from professional care. The ability to live cooperatively, communicate honestly, and remain dependable under difficult conditions would be central to selection.
The planned Great Circle Heritage Voyage represents a future opportunity that will require extensive preparation. Participation would be earned through training, assessment, and demonstrated readiness.
Readiness, Health, and Responsibility
ASI intends to begin with an adult crew program while developing its procedures and capabilities.
Participation criteria will address functional ability, relevant health considerations, necessary equipment, conduct, and training. Assessments will reflect the actual responsibilities of each role and the conditions anticipated.
All participants will receive vessel-specific orientation. Additional instruction, medical review, and practical assessments may be required as activities become more demanding.
Guided by SubSafe to SailSafe™, ASI will emphasize inspection, documentation, training, testing, and verified readiness. Safety will determine when an activity proceeds.
ASI intends to explore partnerships and alliances with sailing organizations, maritime educators, community groups, and institutions that share an interest in responsible access to the water.
Potential discussions may include Sail Newport, the Community Boating Center in Providence, and others in the Narragansett Bay sailing community.
Possible areas of cooperation include introductory instruction, training referrals, seamanship workshops, educational programming, and pathways for individuals to develop their skills before joining activities aboard American Saudade.
These are relationships we hope to develop. Any joint program would require mutual agreement and clearly established responsibilities.
An Opportunity for East Providence
With American Saudade based in East Providence during her refit, ASI sees an opportunity to connect the city’s residents with Narragansett Bay and the maritime traditions surrounding them.
A locally rooted program could bring together experienced mariners, adult learners, veterans, educators, skilled tradespeople, and volunteers. It could connect shoreside learning with practical experience and introduce participants to maritime occupations, local history, and environmental stewardship.
We hope to develop this work in cooperation with East Providence schools, community organizations, businesses, and waterfront interests.
A Future Youth Program
As the adult program develops, ASI may explore a separate youth initiative in cooperation with established sailing and educational organizations.
Potential collaborators could include Sail Newport, Community Boating Center in Providence, and the wider local sailing community. Such a program could combine introductory sailing, maritime heritage, teamwork, and exposure to marine trades and careers.
Youth participation would require its own age-appropriate instruction, qualified supervision, safeguarding procedures, parental consent, and insurance arrangements. It remains a future possibility to be developed with suitable partners.
Help Shape the Program
ASI welcomes expressions of interest from prospective crew members, experienced sailors, instructors, marine professionals, and organizations interested in helping develop this initiative.
There are also important roles ashore, including training coordination, maintenance, voyage research, communications, logistics, and documentation.
Contact ASI to share your experience, describe your interests, or discuss a possible partnership. Your interest will help shape the program as development continues; it does not guarantee a place aboard.
