Life Afloat: Stewardship and Connection at Sea

By Ruthann — Chief Mate / Relief Captain, Schooner VIRGINIA

When you work on the water, you can’t help but be aware of how everything is connected. The earth truly is a closed system — what happens in one place ripples outward, influencing everything else. A low-pressure system forming off the coast of West Africa can alter our sailing schedule here in Norfolk. Warming waters far to the south can send a wayward animal north, crossing my path for a brief, magical moment.

Sometimes I look out across the horizon and imagine another mariner, on another shore, looking back toward me. Between us stretches miles upon miles of water — a living, breathing expanse filled with creatures big and small, and with the invisible forces that shape our world.

Tall ships are a gateway to understanding this global connection. We rely on nature to move — the wind to fill our sails, the sea to carry us. Our resources are limited, so we learn to conserve. Any waste we produce stays with us until we return to shore. Life aboard a tall ship is an exercise in cooperation and mindfulness. It teaches us, on a small scale, how to live responsibly on a large one.

The ocean may seem vast and empty, but it’s surprisingly busy. Roughly 80% of all goods traded around the world are moved by sea. Alongside the merchant ships are research vessels, fishing fleets, naval ships, and private boats — all part of a bustling, interconnected maritime community.

I’ve watched many shipmates go on to careers in other corners of the maritime industry after cutting their teeth on tall ships. I’ve also seen seasoned mariners return to vessels like VIRGINIA, drawn by the sense of tradition and the opportunity to share their knowledge and love for the ocean.

So many people make their living — or find their joy — because of the ocean. To keep enjoying those gifts, we have a responsibility to be good stewards. On VIRGINIA, we take that obligation seriously. We follow environmental regulations not only because organizations like the IMO and UN require them, but because we genuinely care about our impact.

As Chief Mate, I see it as my duty to pass that sense of care forward — to every crewmember, volunteer, student, and passenger who comes aboard. My hope is that they leave VIRGINIA with something more than a memory of their time at sea: a deeper appreciation for our ocean, our shared responsibility, and the intricate connections that bind us all.