The Foundation’s Mission: The Seafarers Foundation empowers and supports underserved youth, families, and seniors through educational services, water safety instructions, maritime experiences, and community care, thus building confidence, reducing drowning rates, and improving quality of life across generations.
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Empowering Youth. Serving the Community. Inspiring the Future.
Since its earliest days, the Seafarers Yacht Club has remained deeply committed to community service. What began as informal swimming lessons for neighborhood children and introductory boat rides on the Chesapeake Bay has grown into a comprehensive effort to educate, empower, and uplift local youth and families.
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The Summer Youth Program: Building Skills on and off the Water
In 2003, we launched a formal Summer Youth Program designed to serve at-risk children ages 8 to 12 from Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. What started as a one-week experience is now a robust, two-week program offering an immersive blend of STEM, maritime education, and life skills training.
Since 2018, our curriculum has expanded to include:
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Daily chess instruction (90 minutes) in partnership with the U.S. Chess Center
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STEM-based activities tied to real-world maritime applications
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Swimming, boating, and water safety
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First aid and life-saving skills
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Fishing and navigation science
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Math and reading enrichment
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Etiquette and leadership training
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Career exploration in marine-related fields
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This dynamic program is more than a summer camp, it’s a launchpad for curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning. It continues to earn regional recognition for its positive impact and life-changing opportunities.
Serving Beyond Summer
The Foundation’s commitment doesn’t stop at the shoreline. Each year, we host a Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors, bringing warmth, fellowship, and gratitude to those who’ve paved the way.
We’re also proud to serve as the chartered organization for Sea Scout Ship 1959, a youth-led program that builds leadership and seamanship in future generations.
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Whether you’re a parent, educator, donor, or volunteer, there’s a place for you in the Seafarers community. With your support, we’ll continue building a legacy that uplifts youth, honors our elders, and celebrates life on the Chesapeake Bay.
US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla
Partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
A Tradition of Service and Maritime Leadership
In 1970, members of the Seafarers Yacht Club took a historic step by founding U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75, right at our clubhouse. This marked the beginning of a long and proud legacy of maritime safety, education, and public service.
Today, many Seafarers continue that tradition as active members of Flotilla 24-09, the current iteration of the original unit. Our members have taken on leadership roles over the years, with several serving as Commanders and Vice Commanders of the Flotilla.
The Flotilla’s core activities include:​
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Boating safety education
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Vessel safety inspections
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Search and rescue operations
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Community outreach and training
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In keeping with our shared mission to develop future leaders in maritime service, Flotilla 24-09 maintains a formal partnership with Sea Scout Ship 1959, under the Memorandum of Agreement between the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Boy Scouts of America.
This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering youth leadership, promoting water safety, and serving the community through education and action.
Sea Scout Ship 1959 – Seafarers Commitment
Honoring Legacy. Leading the Future.
One of the Seafarers Yacht Club’s most impactful recent initiatives is the founding of Sea Scout Ship 1959 – Seafarers Commitment, a dynamic youth-led maritime program that builds leadership, character, and seamanship.
A Name That Inspires
Ship 1959 is named in honor of the s/v Commitment, the vessel purchased in Annapolis and captained by the legendary Bill Pinkney. In a history-making voyage, Captain Pinkney became the first African American to complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe via the grueling Southern Route—a feat of extraordinary endurance and courage that continues to inspire mariners around the world.
Powered by the Seafarers Foundation, Inc.
Ship 1959 is chartered through the Baltimore Area Council and Capital District of the Boy Scouts of America, supported by our 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm, the Seafarers Foundation. This partnership allows us to carry forward our mission of empowering youth through hands-on maritime education and leadership development.
Leadership Rooted in Legacy
The creation of Ship 1959 was spearheaded by Captain Derrick Cogburn as part of his Wood Badge ticket, a leadership project designed to contribute meaningfully to the legacy of the Seafarers Yacht Club. Captain Cogburn currently serves as the ship’s Founding Skipper, providing vision and mentorship for its rapid growth.
Ship 1959 has become one of the fastest-growing Sea Scout Ships in the country, thanks to the dedication of a strong and experienced team of Seafarers that included:
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Mate Tanya Morris
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Mate William Woodward
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Captain Ed Morris
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Captain Benny McCottry
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Captain Noemí Enchautegui
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Captain Dana Lee
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Captain Ade Adebisi
Together, these leaders have been instrumental in equipping a new generation with the skills, confidence, and values to lead—not just on the water, but in every facet of life.