Chief Mate Jon Krisman (interviewed by Fielding Dupuy)

Despite his relative youth, Chief Mate Jon Krisman has a wealth of sailing and boating experience. Jon has been sailing full-time on tall ships for the better part of the past decade and has completed three crossings of the Atlantic Ocean. Last year, Jon earned his 100 ton master’s license certification from the US Coast Guard. As such, Jon makes an able and qualified assistant and relief master to Captain Brown. In his last sailing position, Jon was captain of the Woodwind, a schooner based in Annapolis, Maryland.

Jon began his tall ships career at the young age of 17. While paying a visit to relatives in San Diego, Jon saw the international tall ships fleet at anchor in San Diego as part of Op-Sail. He was immediately hooked and decided he had to sail on tall ships. Within a few short months he had signed up as a crew member on the barkentine Concordia, and was bound for his first Atlantic crossing.

When asked to recount his most interesting sailing adventure, Jon recounts a harrowing tale – that fortunately turned out well -- on his most recent Atlantic crossing. In the middle of the night at nearly the mid-point between Europe and North America in ten foot seas, Jon was summoned on deck by the sound of the yacht’s spinnaker breaking apart. In the midst of repairing the spinnaker, the mainsail also broke loose and ripped to shreds. During the night, Jon was almost swept out to sea on at least two occasions. Only his safety harness prevented this. The next two days were spent repairing the sails and getting back on course. What lesson does Jon take from this adventure? Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature and always wear your safety harness!

What Jon enjoys most about sailing on tall ships is the opportunity to see interesting places and meet people from all parts of the world. Jon hopes, in the future, to start a sailing charter company, sharing his love of sailing with other likeminded people. A fun fact about Jon? He always takes time to smell the roses (or any other flower that he chances upon).

Fielding Dupuy, Deckhand (interviewed by Michael Magno)

Having lived in New York City for many years, Fielding Dupuy became a member of the South Street Seaport Museum. He read a notice that the museum was looking for new volunteers to sail the Schooner Pioneer, and he decided to give it a try. He loved it. What he enjoys most about sailing is constantly learning something new, from ship’s maintenance to sail handling, knots and even fixing the head!

His most interesting sailing experience to date was a week-long transit aboard the Pioneer from Washington, D.C. to New York City. It was a cold trip, ending on Halloween. Fielding speaks fluent Finnish and even worked for a time as a short-order cook in Finland. He’s happy to be aboard the Sloop Providence, especially after playing the role of John Paul Jones in an elementary school play.

Michael Magno (interviewed by Jon Krisman)

One day Michael Magno took a walk and changed his life. While walking after work, Michael saw a sign that read “Volunteers Needed”. He decided to check it out and soon fell in love with the whole tall ship experience. The rest, as they say, is history.

Michael says that the best part of living on a tall ship is being able to live on prime waterfront property without having to pay rent and also meeting new people. His most interesting sailing adventure was living aboard the Schooner Pioneer for a month. He traveled around the Chesapeake Bay, was able to experience the life of a Marylander and had the chance to document the whole adventure on film.

Michael proudly states that the last time he shaved was on June 19, 2005. Also when he had both of his legs operated on, he learned to walk on his hands. I assume he was walking on his feet when he saw the “Volunteers Needed” sign but Michael never actually said.

Jocelyn Craig, Ship’s Cook (interviewed by Captain Steve Brown)

Jocelyn became involved in tall ships after she graduated from college and boarded the Schooner J&E Riggin to experience the sea. She learned a lot about sailing and even more about living aboard a ship, enjoying the experience of living “back in the time”. Jocelyn worked as a cook’s assistant and is now the Sloop Providence’s cook. When asked where she sees herself in five years, she laughs and replies “Wherever the wind takes me.” Jocelyn is a Gemini (air sign) and says she played the flute in band camp so apparently wind has been a reoccurring theme in her life. Fair winds Jocelyn!

Captain Steve Brown (interviewed by Jocelyn Craig)

Perhaps it’s Steve’s friendly smile and laid back character that immediately put one at ease, his unassuming authority that commands respect. You can tell that he really enjoys what he is doing.

Steve’s sailing career started on the Schooner Bay Lady in Provincetown, MA. It was there that he met Austin Becker. Little did he know at the time, that years later, Austin would be recruiting Steve to take his place as captain aboard the Sloop Providence. After the Bay Lady, Steve took a job aboard a small research sailboat called Song of the Whale. He had been drawn to the position because it allowed him to travel while working and earning money. During his 8 adventurous years aboard Song of the Whale, Steve obtained his U.S. Coastguard Near-Coastal Master’s License. When Austin called him up in 2002? Steve saw the opportunity to settle down with his wife and child. And, although Sloop Providence was not crossing any oceans, Steve’s adventures were far from over. I asked Steve what he likes best about working on a tall ship, and he replied, “It beats working”. Yes, it’s a job but it’s also recreation and a way to see new places and meet interesting people. He also said, “The food” (no pressure Jocelyn).

Steve’s latest exciting adventure aboard the Providence had to be the trip down the coast for the shooting of Pirates of the Caribbean II and III. They left Providence, RI in January of 2005. It was cold. In Stamford, CT they encountered a snow storm that left them shoveling 2 ft. of snow off the decks, and was enough to send two crew members packing. As they made there way down to the Chesapeake Bay, they experienced warmer weather and spirits were lifted a bit. On a windless day enroute to Alabama, the preventer that had been attached to the main boom broke causing the boom to slam against the rig, splintering and breaking. Steve talks of this instance with a smile on his face, but I’m sure it was no laughing matter at the time. The ship made it safely to Alabama, where Disney gave her a makeover, then on to the Caribbean. Steve didn’t have much to say about the filming itself. I can only guess that it was not a typical Caribbean vacation. By May, they had returned to Providence.

As the boat comes together in the yard, I can tell Steve is looking forward to this season’s trip to the Great Lakes…another adventure! And, what better reward for all the hours put in to refitting the Providence this season than to take her out and stretch her legs.