New Schooner Arrives in Traverse City

The Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) has purchased a new 105-foot, three-masted schooner named Alliance, which will be sailing the waters of Grand Traverse Bay this summer.

The ship’s name will remain Alliance, as it represents ISEA’s partnerships across the Great Lakes. Colleges, universities, nonprofits, K-12 schools, foundations and other organizations partner with ISEA to develop environmental stewards and leaders to care for the Great Lakes. The addition of Alliance increases the number of partnerships around the Great Lakes Basin that can be served during the 2023 sailing season and for years to come.

“Collaboration is at the center of all that we do with strong partnerships developed throughout the Great Lakes,” says ISEA Executive Director Fred Sitkins. “Alliance is the perfect ship to allow us to seize the opportunity these partnerships present for us… A vessel of this nature is rare and difficult to find and we feel very fortunate that we have been able to secure it for the purpose of protecting the Great Lakes through education.”

Alliance will begin the journey to Suttons Bay in early May. There will be a free public arrival celebration on June 24 as Alliance is escorted into Suttons Bay by Inland Seas.

For more information, visit schoolship.org.