Sea of Opportunities

Our Impact

Cardboardboats 0016 Katiekaizerphotography

Sea of Opportunities is a diverse offering of education and outreach programs available to every Nantucket student at multiple points throughout their education. It seeds the maritime workforce of tomorrow and opens doors for local youth to opportunities that will enhance their futures and our coastal community.

By the Numbers (as of May 2023)
  • 6,500 - Youth Interactions and Counting
  • 2,500 - Classroom Students
  • 4,300 - Tall Ship Field Trip Students
  • 145 - Student Mariners

Classrooms & Collaborations

Evanclassroom 052 Katiekaizerphotography

Sea of Opportunities is a diverse offering of education and outreach programs available to every Nantucket student at multiple points throughout their education. It seeds the maritime workforce of tomorrow and opens doors for local youth to opportunities that will enhance their futures and our coastal community.

In 2022, Egan Maritime Institute evaluated our education programs and strategically expanded our reach to impact more Nantucket students.

Nantucket students in grades six and eight can participate in our Oceanography and Maritime Studies curriculum through a STEM Education elective. These classes combine Nantucket's maritime heritage with marine sciences to give students a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) based curriculum incorporating experiential learning opportunities into every unit.

Egan recently launched two Sea of Opportunities Maritime-focused Innovation Pathways courses at the Nantucket High School! The Innovation Pathway is an elective program designed to provide students with a plan of study to gain job experience and college credits in specific fields. The Fall Term will focus on marine science and aquaculture. The spring term is a technical vessel operations/repair and maintenance course.

In addition to our cornerstone courses at the Nantucket public schools, we partner with Nantucket's two independent schools to teach students about maritime history and science through physics and marine science.

Beyond the classroom, we have strategically partnered with local organizations to expand our reach. Curious minds of all ages will be able to explore the museum and partake in a series of programs designed to celebrate and promote Nantucket’s seafaring history.

Key Community Partners & Collaborators

  • Nantucket Boys & Girls Club
  • Nantucket Community School
  • Nantucket Conservation Foundation
  • Nantucket Historical Association
  • Nantucket New School
  • Nantucket Public Schools
  • Linda Loring Nature Foundation
  • Saltmarsh Senior Center
  • The Tall Ship Lynx Educational Foundation
  • Town of Nantucket Harbormaster

Student Mariner Sails

This short film was made possible thanks to the generous support of Ritchie, Westray, and Katie Battle.

Starting in 2014, every summer Egan Maritime provides opportunities for local youth to sail aboard a Tall Ship for three or five-day expeditions to learn the ropes and find confidence at sea. These youth earn the title of Student Mariner after their return.

Egan Maritime expanded our sailing options aboard the Lynx by providing 4 separate day sails available to youth who live or are visiting Nantucket. These sails allow youth to learn about sailing and Nantucket’s Maritime History.

Tall Ship Lynx

Lynx 107

Egan Maritime and the Tall Ship Lynx continue to partner throughout the summer. During the summer, EMI offers numerous sailing opportunities. Join us on the Lynx for sunset sails, concerts on the water, and the popular Nanpuppets family cruise. Plus, in 2023, we are offering a new program designed for the Student Mariner in your life. Children aged 12 – 14 can become a Student Mariner for a day and join the crew as they explore Nantucket’s water. To sign up, visit our program calendar.

In addition, Egan Maritime members receive discounts on all Tall Ship Lynx Sails. To learn more about non-Egan Maritime sponsored sails aboard the Tall Ship Lynx visit: https://tallshiplynx.com/

Junior Mariner Program

Sheila Lucey Photograph

Harbormaster and Instructor Sheila Lucey

One of Egan Maritime's initiatives is to teach island youth boating safety courses. These are led by instructor Sheila Lucey, BMCS, USCG (ret.) Our Junior Mariner Operators Licensing classes, held at Egan's office, concludes with the students graduating with their Junior Mariner Operators License and a deep knowledge of boating safety.


We are grateful to have Sheila on our team. As she once said, "My favorite part of my job is working with and training young people. I just like trying to keep people safe. The only way I know how to pay this community back for all they have done for me is to do my best to keep them safe." Sheila also serves as Nantucket’s Harbor Master.

This course helps to enhance Egan Maritime's mission which is to inspire the appreciation and preservation of Nantucket's maritime culture and seafaring legacy.