Crew Information

Crews of the tall ship Gazela and historic tugboat Jupiter can find information on these pages. Specific crew information can be found on the Crew Wiki. Refer to the Crew Wiki for schedules, crew calls, and work lists. Use the message board to share updates with members. Newsletters are posted here as well. Please refer to these pages often for the most recent information.

Crewing Aboard the Barkentine Gazela and the Tug Jupiter

Unlike most other tall and historic ships, Gazela and Jupiter are sailed by the people who preserve them. There are no Naval or Coast Guard cadets, and no paying trainees. The crew consists entirely of hard-working, enthusiastic volunteers, members of the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild who have put a lot of effort into maintaining the ships, educating the public or helping behind the scenes with administration (i.e., fundraising, office work, board service). The basic theory behind Gazela's or Jupiter's crew is that anyone is welcome if they are willing to contribute to the guild's mission.

Crews are made up of all kinds of people: students, artists, engineers, teachers, lawyers, of all different ages and from different places. They all share a common interest in sailing and preserving their vessels' maritime history. It's very hard to feel left out.

Who are Gazela and Jupiter crew members?

Men and women of all ages (16 minimum, or 14 with a parent) and all walks of life who share an interest in sailing and the preservation of historic sail and steam ships.

What are requirements to be a regular Guild supporting member?

• Payment of Guild dues ($40/year minimum)

What are requirements to be preservation or operational crew?

• Mandatory Crew Interview
• Payment of Guild dues ($40/year minimum)
• Payment of Guild Crew Insurance ($45/year minimum)
• Purchase of Ship Uniform Shirt
• Ship Specific Safety Gear

The Guild volunteer recruitment team interviews every interested volunteer to ensure they fully understand the Guild's mission and methods. If interested, you may contact our office to set up an interview. We are looking for motivated individuals who share the:

• Willingness and ability to participate in hands-on maintenance and operation of the ships
• Regard for the safety and well-being of other crew members at all times
• Good health, as certified by a doctor's signature

Once you are a crew member, Gazela and Jupiter are your ships. Your contribution of your skills and ideas are essential to their continued existence.

What does the operational crew do?

• Late fall: Downrigging Gazela (dismantling, labeling, and storing sails and running rigging); covering ships for winter work; classes on seamanship and sailing skills.
• Winter: Maintenance and repairs, which includes woodworking; metalworking; scraping, sanding, and painting; overhauling blocks and lines; and more classes.
• Early spring: Removing winter cover; more scraping, sanding, painting; uprigging Gazela (making ready for the sailing season). Recruiting new members, smiling at passersby, giving tours.
• Late spring, summer, early fall: Sailing, port visits on weekends, educational programming, dockside receptions and tours. By Coast Guard regulations, ten crew members staff all Gazela functions. Crew shirts are required. This is an opportunity to share Gazela's and Jupiter's history as well as to recruit new members and much-needed donations.
• Year round: Fund-raising, public relations, office work.

What are the requirements for sailing Gazela?

The sailing schedule is made up during the winter and published in early spring. A minimum of 50 work hours are required before sailing; those with the most hours get first choice of time. (Gazela sails with a maximum of 30 crew.) Dues and medical forms must be up to date.

Expenses are minimal; crew will need to provide their own climbing harness, straight-blade knife w/sheath, marlinspike, foul weather gear and transportation. Food and a bunk are provided free of charge. Crew should be familiar with the ship's nomenclature and systems and have some knowledge of sail handling skills. You may sail for the entire voyage, or you may join the ship at one port and leave at another, arriving on a Saturday and departing the ship the following Saturday. This ensures adequate crew on hand for working the important receptions and open ship tours.

What do I do while sailing?

Crew members stand regular watches, usually four hours on and eight off. While on watch you will rotate through lookout, runner/reporter, boat check, helm, and radio or utility positions. As a regular deckhand you will raise and strike sail, climb the rigging (if you wish to), scrub down the deck and below decks, polish brass, participate in emergency drills, wash dishes, and cook or help in the galley (kitchen).

As on most ships, sleeping accommodations are tightly packed and privacy and personal storage space are minimal. Alcohol and drugs are banned; smoking is on deck only. The crew must quickly become a close-knit family that works well together in all situations, especially in case of bad weather or emergencies.