For the past 21 years, Maritime Gloucester’s Ocean Explorers program has brought marine science education to every 3rd, 4th, & 5th grader in the Gloucester Public Schools. We visit the classrooms in all 4 elementary schools and welcome these students to our campus to participate in exciting hands-on experiential learning in our Sea Pocket Aquarium, the Marine Science Education Center, onboard the Schooner Ardelle and so much more. Over the course of the school year, your kids interact with our educators a total of 6 times, offering invaluable access to the harbor, bridging a unique connection with our local youth in our own blue backyard. 21 years participating in our curriculum equates to the educational engagement of over 13,500 students!

As we mark this year’s final 5th grade graduation celebration, we want to emphasize the importance of this program in our schools and we urge you to consider supporting its continuation. Maritime Gloucester annually raises the funds to sustain Ocean Explorers as our gift to the community, but we now are urgently seeking funding to keep this program alive for elementary students across Cape Ann and beyond. To support Ocean Explorers into 2026 and help us keep this essential program going at no cost to the Gloucester Public Schools, please Donate Today: MaritimeGloucester.org/give-1

The Gloucester Schooner Festival Committee is now accepting applications for the next round of the Russ Smith Scholarship. This scholarship is given to Cape Ann youth with the goal of advancing their Maritime career. Application is open until March 31st and can be found at MaritimeGloucester.org/sf-scholarship. Individuals must upload a letter explaining the applicant’s need and outlining plans for a future career in maritime fields or service. While strong preference will be given to those continuing a career at Maritime Academies or Maritime institutions of higher learning, all youth looking for a maritime career of any kind are encouraged to apply. 

The Scholarship Committee does from time to time make awards to organizations that support getting locals young people on the water and active in maritime activities. Individual scholarships start at $500 and organizational scholarships start at $1,000. 

Scholarship awards will be announced April 11 at the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival Kickoff Event and Fundraiser at the Gloucester House & Blue Collar Lobster.​​​  

Requests for additional information can be made by emailing info@maritimegloucester.org.

This year Deck the Docks at Maritime Gloucester coincides with the Middle Street Walk and the Lobster Trap Tree Lighting which will take place at Solomon Jacobs Park on Harbor Loop- just steps from Maritime Gloucester! Join us for a full day of Holiday Cheer! More details available at MaritimeGloucester.org

Maritime Gloucester is proud to partner again with Cape Ann Veterans Services to provide up to 30 Christmas Trees to local Military Families this holiday season. To support this effort consider purchasing a tree for $60. Purchases can be made online at MaritimeGloucester.org/shop or in person during regular business hours.

We are celebrating the 71st annual Gloucester International Dory Race and Gloucester’s 400th with a once in a lifetime Maritime event. 4 days of fun and activity on the water and on land.

With over 42 opportunities to get on a vessel and sail, 30 hours of deck tours, and free museum access all weekend, this is going to be an event to remember!

Big thank you to our Signature Sponor, Gloucester 400+, whose dedication to accessible events throughout the year is making it possible for us to put in the docks and have FREE deck tours all Rendevous long.

Come on, Gloucester! Let’s start filling up those sales and letting the visiting Schooners know how much we appreciate their time and efforts in coming here. Hope to see you on the water!

The Gloucester Schooner Festival is celebrating its 39th year and we are excited to bring this fantastic weekend to the public once more, this year being even more spectacular as we mark Gloucester’s 400th Anniversary. Each year Maritime Gloucester and the Gloucester Schooner Festival Committee commits to raising all of the funds to put on the four day event, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to Gloucester and getting local residents out on the harbor. Help us support this year’s event and celebrate our maritime heritage with a night of fun auction items, 50/50 raffle, cash bar, light buffet, good drinks, great friends, and music by our friend DJ Scotty Mack!

$39 suggested donation for the 39th Annual year

photo credit and schooner in the picture: Schooner When and If

Thank you to Lenny Linquata and the Gloucester House Team for providing the venue

Hello little Ghosts and Goblins, Warlocks and Witches, Mermaids and little Captains:

Maritime Gloucester invites you to get in the Halloween “Spirit” Saturday, Oct 29 from 1pm to 5pm.

The Maritime Gloucester campus will be transformed into a spooky and fun place for kids to play and create. We have a bunch of thrills and safe chills up our wizarding sleeves in store!

• Shiver your timbers with our Pirate on the Pier for a treasure hunt escapade.
• Sing along with the Bard on the Shipyard as we shanty up some fun.
• Our Warlock on the Dock will be creating magic wands for sale to little wizards on our shipyard lathe.

Kraken fish printing, Dwarven delicacies, and drinks will be available for sale!

This is a free event for members, donations and memberships appreciated! Costumes are ALWAYS encouraged.

Join your favorite non-profits this weekend as we clean up our coastlines, the harbor, and our beaches. In honor of last week’s World Ocean Day, Maritime Gloucester, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Gloucester Gig Rowers, UMass Amherst | Gloucester Marine Station, and Ocean Alliance have teamed up for a community-wide volunteer effort.

Depending on the numbers of volunteers, various land-based locations will be covered. Gloucester Gig Rowers will be cleaning by boat, and boaters are welcome to join in! Once you sign up, you will be given location information!

Saturday, June 18, 8:30am

Sign up today at http://www.maritimegloucester.org or directly at https://signup.com/go/eENYjgH