SSV Oliver Hazard Perry: America’s Newest Tall Ship Looking to Fill Crew Spots

Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI) is seeking to hire licensed deckhands for its brand new 200-foot SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, which is based in Newport, R.I. and scheduled to sail throughout New England this summer. The Tall Ship is the first full-rigged ocean-going ship to be built in the United States in over 100 years and requires that crew applying hold an Able Seaman license or Masters license (any tonnage) with auxiliary sail endorsement or international equivalent.

SSV Oliver Hazard Perry under sail. (Credit Onne van der Wal)

Deck crew members work the ship both on deck and aloft. They also lead the trainee crew members (both youth and adult) in all aspects of shipboard operations.

"Anyone who has been watching the project and wanting to get aboard and be part of our first operational crew: now is the time to make a move!" - said OHPRI Executive Director Jess Wurzbacher. "We’ve got an exciting summer ahead with lots of sailing and some adult trips coming up in the Fall."

Wurzbacher pointed out that SSV Oliver Hazard Perry has everything crews love about Tall Ships, but none of the things they don’t. "There’s a 130-foot rig to climb and seven miles of line to haul at the start of the day, but there are hot showers and climate controlled spacious accommodations to retreat to at the end of the day." SSV Oliver Hazard Perry’s modern amenities below also include an environmental science lab, state-of-the art classroom technology, wheelchair accessibility, and climate-controlled learning spaces. Above decks, her rig includes 19 spars and 20 sails for a total 14,000 square feet of sail area.

OHPRI will run programs for students of all ages during year-round operation, initially along the East Coast, but the organization has plans for venturing much farther afield, as the Perry is designed and equipped for ocean-going voyages. The ship’s programs this summer include one- to two-week voyages in partnership with academic institutions as well as teen summer programs and adult voyages in the Fall.

"While our immediate openings are only for licensed deck crew, we are growing our professional development program to help the right candidates gain their Able Seaman license and progress up into a licensed position aboard," - said Wurzbacher.

Counter-clockwise from top: Engine room, Cabin, and Galley aboard SSV Oliver Hazard Perry.

Deck crew members work the ship both on deck and aloft. They also lead the trainee crew members (both youth and adult) in all aspects of shipboard operations.

Applicants must be comfortable working aloft; willing to live by the rules and regulations aboard the ship; and suited for the duties and responsibilities outlined at http://www.ohpri.org/employment

Positions are full-time and live-aboard. (Room and board provided.) To be paid, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

For more information, email jess@ohpri.org. Follow OHPRI on Facebook and Twitter for current news and developments.

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