Historic Vessels and Maritime Museums

Mystic Seaport, Henry B. duPont Historic Preservation Shipyard, Master Ship Rigger Independent Contractor, 2024

Charles W. Morgan, American whaling vessel built in 1841

Susan Constant, 17th Century replica barque built in 1989

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, Historic Ship Rigging Supervisor, 2008-2011

  Balclutha, British square-rigged merchantman built in 1886

C.A. Thayer, West Coast lumber schooner built in 1895

Major accomplishment: researched, designed, and led a team to build  a completely new and historically correct rig for C.A. Thayer, returning her to the way she appeared when launched in 1895. Successfully spearheaded the re-rig project including participating in the $3 million financial campaign and personally soliciting from non-profit San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Associations (SFMNHPA) the additional  $150,000 needed  for her new sails.

Managed 10-15 park staff employees and volunteers. Managed contracted and subcontracted shipyard work in every aspect of construction. Gave multiple presentations to the SFMNHPA and the public for fundraising; assisted grant writers. Other work: Planned, directed, requested funding, purchased materials, hired workers, tracked budget for daily and cyclic maintenance on Park vessel rigs. Completed annual survey and inspection of standing and running rigging on Balclutha and Thayer, evaluated condition, and directed work based upon these inspections. Documented condition and work performed on each part of the rig. Annual cyclic maintenance was planned on a 5-year-out schedule, with a scope of work and budget ($180,000-$280,000).  Supervised the striking and inspection of wooden topgallant and royal spars, masts, and rigging. Daily work consisted of coating application (tar, paint, varnish, oil as appropriate),  replacement of blocks, line, and wire in urgent need of repair; and semi-annual borate treatments. Instructing crew in proper traditional rigging techniques and materials. Responsible for designing and implementing the federal park fall protection programs.  Overcame the challenges in integrating a 21st Century safety system on a 19th Century historic sailing rig. Balanced federal OSHA and California state OSHA regulations for protecting workers, crew and the public with practicality. Worked closely with Park Archives and Collections, identifying and properly conserving documents and artifacts.  Acquisitions Committee Advisor for appropriateness of new donations.

Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, Canada, Rigging Consultant & Restoration, 2018   

Nonsuch, 17th Century English ketch replica built in 1970

Provided Manitoba Museum with a work plan for replacement of 50 year old hemp rigging with new, including specifying quantity and types of line, marline, canvas, and tool needs for the project; selected crew for hiring; directed replacement project and completed hands-on work using traditional 17th century tools, materials, and techniques; provided PR support to the museum by doing radio interviews on CBC and a documentary on the project. Managed 2 rigger employees and collaborated with conservation staff.

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, Rigging Consultant and Restoration, 2014-2017

USS Maine Memorial, Spanish American War ship 1899

Removed and documented existing wire rigging to the Memorial, provided options for replacement based on various needs of ANC, planned budget and scope of work required, built and redesigned new rigging and installed on Memorial in 2017. Managed 1 park service employee.

QAR Archeological Project, Greenville, NC, Rigging Consultant, 2015-2019

Queen Anne’s Revenge shipwreck, Blackbeard the Pirate’s flagship 1718

Provided expert identification of 18th-20th Century rigging and maritime artifacts recovered from underwater wreckage site. Advised archeologists and conservators in object identification. 

 Golden Hinde Trust, London, England, Rigging Consultant and Restoration, 2012

Golden Hinde 16th Century English galleon replica

In preparation for the Queen’s Jubilee events, estimated material costs and requirements for running and standing rigging replacement. Traveled to London to oversee and direct removal of the vessel’s three lower masts. Replaced/renewed elements of the standing/running rigging. Directed approximately 24 volunteers in documenting and replacing/renewing elements of standing/running rigging and spars. Partnered with a local crane company for masts removal.

Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, Canada, Fall Protection/Rigging System Consultant, 2011

          Nonsuch, 17th Century English ketch replica built in 1970

Located optimal locations for fall protection attachment points in conjunction with museum contractors to insure safe access for museum staff to go aloft for maintenance.

Andrew Todd Conservators, Vancouver, Canada, Rigging Consultant, 2010

Nonsuch, 17th Century English ketch replica built in 1970

Traveled to Canada to carry out a complete rigging survey of the vessel. Analyzed dimensions and techniques of running and standing rigging for historic authenticity. Assessed fall protection system currently in place. Assessed condition of spars, blocks, standing and running rigging, and sails. Used a resistograph testing device to check internal condition of spars. Drafted a wrote a report enumerating results of all survey components and recommendations for replacement based on historic authenticity and safety. 

New Netherland Routes, Selkirk, NY, Rigging Designer & Builder, 2009-2010

Onrust, 17th Century Dutch sprit-rigged yacht replica 

Worked in conjunction with vessel’s designer to develop an historically correct early 17th century rig and with project’s manager to select materials. Determined proper dimensions for all fiber rigging, and provided spreadsheet listing all standing and running rigging line components. Instructed volunteers in traditional 17th Century Dutch rigging techniques. Demonstrated rigging techniques at Onrust’s New York Boat Show display. Worked with a sailmaker to lay out staysail and jib, and built both those sails later using all hand seaming and roping. Made all standing and running rigging components, stropped and seized blocks, and rigged vessel after launch. Instructed crew in use of all gear. Stood watch on multiple voyages and acted as boatswain. Designed a proposed gaff modification for the vessel. Set up spreadsheets to track rigging inspection and maintenance/replacement.

National Civil War Naval Museum, Columbus, GA, Rigging Designer and Builder, 2009

Waterwitch, 1850’s sidewheel schooner replica

Used historic photos and documents to design a rig for a land-based replica. Budgeted and purchased all materials and traveled to Georgia to build and install rigging in preparation for an event and reenactment. Provided a maintenance plan to NCWNM.

New Netherland Museum, Albany, NY, Boatswain/Rigger, 1994-2002

Half Moon, 17th Century Dutch square-rigged jacht replica

Directed annual uprig and downrig of vessel. Managed the training of volunteer crew, sail handling, and safely going aloft. Set up watch schedule and bill. Instructed docents and tour guides in Dutch, New York, and Half Moon specific history. Gave tours to the visiting public during open days and at events. Worked with reenactors to provide living history experiences to the public. Operated and maintained the vessel and managed crew including engine, electrical, and woodwork. Repaired sails and running/standing rigging, maintained cannons, performed troubleshooting and emergency repairs at dock and under weigh on rigging, fuel, electrical, and mechanical systems. Handled all phases of inflatable outboard work, taking in and lowering boat away, operation of dinghy as assist/pushboat for docking and undocking the ship. Researched traditional Dutch 17th Century rigging practices in the Netherlands to improve historic accuracy of replica vessel.

Turner Broadcasting Co., Miami, FL, Able Bodied Seaman/Rigging Apprentice, 1992

                    HMS Bounty, 18th Century English merchant square-rigged ship replica

Started as tour guide/docent at dock; researched Bounty and related history; worked with Rigger as assistant; bent on sail, tuned rig aloft; handled sail while under weigh; stood watch for under weigh passages from Florida to Massachusetts; acted in costume as crew for various filming events.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, & AFFILIATIONS

International Guild of Knot Tyers, 2024-present

IATSE LOCAL 44, 2003-present

Manlift Operator Certification, 2002-present

Forklift Operator Certification, 2008-present

Fall Arrest Training, 2008-present

Fall Arrest Competent Person, 2015-present

OSHA Hazardous Materials, 2008-2021

HAZCOM, 2008-2021

Lead Awareness, 2008-2021

Pathogen Training, 2008-2021

Harassment Prevention Training, 2021

HSTC Historic Preservation Training Center, National Park Service, 2018-2019

OUPV Coast Guard, 1999

STCW Shipboard Firefighting, 1999

University of Miami, Coral Gables FL—Marine Science undergraduate coursework, 1987-1988