Thinking "Inside the Box" During COVID-19

Canton resident, Rayned Wiles, works on one of Pride's hatches, August 2020

In early July, Pride of Baltimore launched a creative program to connect with volunteers during the pandemic. Traditionally, the ship welcomes volunteers on board to work alongside the professional crew performing routine maintenance projects. However, while in the midst of the pandemic, concerns for the safety of the crew and volunteers meant the old way of welcoming volunteers aboard had to be rethought. Voilá, Pride Project in a Box!

Originally, plans were to launch the new volunteer program during the next winter maintenance period but, with the 2020 season cut short, the program was sped up and launched last month.

How does it work? Candidates conplete an application outlining their experience, interests, and access to tools. The applications are reviewed and each applicant is paired with a project fitting their skill set and interest. Volunteers then stop by the ship and pick up a box with all of the supplies needed to complete their project. For example, Claire Gerber, an avid quilter and resident of South Baltimore, is working on a new canvas sail cover. Other projects include carpentry, rigging, and brightwork.

Pride Project in a Box is being coordinated by the ship's chief mate, Jeff Crosby. When asked about the project, he said, "One of the biggest perks is that each project returns to the ship ready to be used; it is a start-to-finish kind of deal for the volunteer and they can do it all on their own time." When asked about her project, volunteer Claire Gerber said, "It has been really great to take home a project. It's a great hands-on way to be part of something bigger and to have that sense of ownership. Pride is the people's boat and I love knowing I am playing a role in her future."

The program is currently being piloted by a handful of volunteers and is showing early signs of success. Plans to scale up the program are in the works. If you are interested in taking part in the new program, subscribe to Sail Mail and stay tuned for updates.

About Pride of Baltimore II

Baltimore Clippers, sleek, fast, and maneuverable vessels, gained fame as privateers during the War of 1812. Their success in capturing British merchant ships provoked the Royal Navy to attack Baltimore in 1814. Francis Scott Key, seeing the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after the 25-hour British bombardment, was inspired to pen the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Pride of Baltimore II, like her predecessor, Pride of Baltimore, is a historically-evocative reproduction of one of the most famous of these privateers, Chasseur. For more than four decades, these modern-day prides of Baltimore have promoted historical maritime education, fostered economic development and tourism, and represented the people of Maryland in ports throughout the world. Since her commissioning in 1988, Pride II has sailed over 275,000 nautical miles and visited more than 200 ports in 40 countries.

To learn more about Pride of Baltimore II, please visit pride2.org.