Captains

Captain Samantha Heyman

sam@clearwater.org
845-265-8080 x7140

Born and raised in Newton, MA, she holds a USCG 500-ton Ocean Master License and a B.A. in Political Science from Lehigh University. After her twin brother, Leigh, got her into traditional sailing on Martha’s Vineyard, she started as an apprentice on Clearwater in 1994. She has sailed aboard the schooners Roseway, Ernestina, and Westward and has crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific on the Pride of Baltimore II. She has been through the Panama Canal twice and is captivated by such a feat of engineering. She sailed around the world as Chief Mate on the barque Picton Castle visiting the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Indonesia, Africa and the Indian Ocean. She was Captain on Clearwater for four years prior to that epic voyage, and has returned to the best education program on the seven seas. When not barking orders, she loves watching both live theater and old movies (the cheesy 80’s genre included)and has the best music collection around.  She is very fond of the Red Sox, beautiful boats, a spotless galley, cheeseburgers, dogs and a good night’s sleep.

Captain Nick Rogers

captain@clearwater.org
845-265-8080 x7103

Captain Nick Rogers returned to Clearwater as relief Captain in October of 2007 and full Captain in January of 2008. During his previous stints on Clearwater, he worked as 2nd Mate during the 2005 season, and as Engineer & Bosun before that. Nick received 2 degrees from the University of Rochester in physics and applied mathematics. He has experience working with youth as an Environmental Educator and Trail Crew Leader with the Student Conservation Association and as an Educator with a YMCA camp in New England.

Sloop Crew – Winter 2009-2010

Esther Whitmore, Winter Coordinator

Esther grew up in Washington State and started sailing 10 years ago. She was homeschooled through high school, after which she took a year off, living and working in Spain as a nanny. She came back home and completed a two year degree at community college and has been working primarily on boats since then. Before coming over to fore-and-aft sailing and joining Clearwater, Esther worked aboard the Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain, and Kalmar Nyckel, cementing her proficient square-rigging skills. After a successful 2009 sailing season, she has decided to stay on for the winter’s restoration and maintenance.  She likes good books, good coffee, and good music and when she’s not sailing, she likes to travel and spend time with her family.

Chelsea Fisher, Winter Crew

Chelsea was raised in Wisconsin and caught wind of the Clearwater while volunteering on the Sloop Providence in 2007. She showed up to work on Clearwater twice as an apprentice and a third time as a deckhand. She was so pleased with her experience onboard that she decided to stay through the ‘09-’10 winter season. In the evening, there is nothing more that she enjoys than a delicious homebrew.

Matthew Gempler, Winter Crew

Matt grew up in the great seafaring town of Boise, ID. and has been working on traditional sailing vessels for about 5 years, including the Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain, and Bill of Rights.  When not sailing, Matt enjoys snowboarding, traveling, and working at his family’s fish and chips wagon in Boise.   He volunteered on Clearwater for 3 weeks last summer and is returning as crew for the Winter season.