Hoist the main!

MJ came to be part of the MAST Fleet in July 2021. Although a replica of a turn of the 20th century working boat from Nova Scotia, she hails from the West Coast of the United States. She has been well loved since 1975 when she was christened Molly Brown, by her builder, Charles Taylor. 

When we found her for sale in Seattle, she had been sailing under the name of Jack O' Lantern and was set up as a comfortable live aboard for an adventurous couple in scenic Port of Kingston. Fulfilling a dream of Megan's to sail on Puget Sound, the sea trial was a success! Paperwork was drawn up, Associate Boat Transport called, and her new life in the Great Lakes began. 

One thing is clear - this ship wants to sail! 

There is nothing like spending an afternoon kicking up a wake with just the power of wind. MJ fits wonderfully into the ST Joe and Benton Harbor area, setting sail on Lake Michigan 3-4 times a day with nostalgic family and friends. Her wooden hull, mast and spars speak to a by -gone era, and captain and crew enjoy telling the story of the old fishing schooners, MJ and her builder ( a shipwright from the 1800s). 

As guest enjoy their bubbly, crew work hard to coil down. Everything must be in ship shape because this is not just a summer job. Working on MJ means being part of MAST's sail training program.  New hires quickly advance to deckhands and can hold their own on other schooners. MAST is in the process of approving it's program for both the USCG's credentials and U.S. Department of Labor's Mariner Apprenticeship.  Invigorating the maritime industry with young, well trained mariners is what we are about. Well that, and watching amazing sunsets.

 "Such an amazing community sprung up around MJ to welcome her and support us when we had so many unforeseen delays last year. I am so grateful and so moved by each of you. I am happy to inform you that we are still looking good to operate as a US. Coast Guard Inspected Vessel. There are still a few steps to go, and anyone one of them could cause a snag, but we haven't hit a red light yet. This, of course, will give us the higher passenger count that MJ is built for, and will also allow us to do the group programing that I love. We continue working with the Coast Guard to make all the appropriate upgrades and get all those "t"s crossed. In the mean time, we are thrilled to be able to run as a 6 Pack through the State's licensing. We have a unique opportunity to take this classic sailing yacht and run her as a small group passenger schooner during our Soft Launch. We have a lot to celebrate through all of this, so I hope you take advantage of the smaller numbers and come for a cruise this summer!" - M