CHULA VISTA, California — Youth educational non-profit Sailing Ships Maine, based in Portland, has won two major national awards, according to Tall Ships America and the American Sail Training Association, in a news release.

At Tall Ships America’s annual conference, Sailing Ships Maine Senior Captain Anna Maria Hansen was selected as US Young Sail Trainer of the Year, and Sailing Ships Maine, the program she leads, was named US Sea Education Program of the Year.

Hansen, who has sailed 4 seasons with Sailing Ships Maine, two as Captain and two as mate prior to earning her USCG Captain’s license, was reached in Patagonia where she is leading outdoor experiential trips this winter.

“Thank you so much for the unexpected honor! I feel really touched by the recognition," she wrote in acknowledging the award. "I feel deeply fortunate to offer meaningful wilderness experiences and voyages of self- discovery for young people. I cannot imagine work more worth doing than to empower youth to develop problem-solving skills, communication, teamwork, and environmental awareness." 

Hansen will be leading one week sail training trips this year in Maine starting in May and sailing into October. Space is still available on selected summer sail training voyages.

Sailing Ships Maine as an organization was selected specifically for its partnerships with Brunswick, Maine based Seeds of Independence and Providence, Rhode Island based MET High School, two of Sailing Ships Maine’s partners. Sailing Ships partners with high schools and nonprofits in Maine and elsewhere, including the Center for Grieving Children, Sanford middle and high schools, sea scouts and U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps among others.

The organizational award goes to "a program which has significantly contributed to the educational credibility of programs under sail," according to Tall Ships America, the national association of sail training. "The program is offered in conjunction with a school, school system, school group or other recognized educational institution; has a clear curriculum of educational goals compatible with curriculum goals of traditional schools; and has qualified instructors on a certified vessel."

‘We are profoundly grateful to Tall Ships America for the recognition of Sailing Ships Maine as the Sea Education Program of the Year," wrote Sailing Ships Maine Board Chair Dr. Chris Wellins of Cape Elizabeth. "Sailing Ships Maine's mission is to deliver experiential learning programs at sea and create life-changing opportunities for teens of all abilities and income levels to discover the ocean environment, expand leadership skills, and consider further maritime training. As Mainers and lovers of the sea, we feel a responsibility to support the marine economy, provide access to the ocean and traditional sailing ships, and preserve our maritime heritage. Our reward for this work is seeing the joy, learning, and personal growth that our trainees experience on their voyages. This recognition is icing on that cake.”