World Ocean School

09/07/2026

Deadeyes. Futtocks. Ratlines.

Tall ships have a language of their own. Yes these are all real words!

Swipe to get ready for that niche sailing question at trivia night

What tall ship term should we explore next?

09/05/2026

Glad to have you aboard!!

Gloucester Schooner Festival underway with lots of Wisconsin folks on board. Thank you World Ocean School for including us again this year.

09/03/2026

Gloucester Schooner Festival weekend is almost here!

Join us aboard Denis Sullivan this Saturday and Sunday for a weekend of schooners in Gloucester Harbor. Come aboard for a free deck tour, head out on a Saturday sail, or spend Sunday with us for the Parade of Sail and Schooner Race.

Whether you’ve sailed with us before or have always wanted to step aboard, this is a pretty great weekend to do it.

Tickets are still available for all three sails.

Book your spot at worldoceanschool.org/sails

09/01/2026

This schoon is ready to swoon you! ⛵️

And she’s bringing a bunch of cheeseheads to help at the Gloucester Gloucester Schooner Festival 🧀

This weekend, 15 volunteers are traveling all the way from Wisconsin to join Denis Sullivan in Gloucester. Many have known, sailed, and cared for the ship over the years, bringing with them years of stories and knowledge of Denis Sullivan that you won’t find in the festival pamphlet.

Come aboard Saturday for a two-hour sail through Gloucester Harbor

Or join us Sunday as Denis Sullivan takes part in the parade of sail and schooner race.

September 5–6 | Gloucester, MA

🎟️ Tickets at the link in our bio.
🎶 David Drake

08/28/2026

Tall Ship Terminology! How many deadeyes are on Denis Sullivan?

Deadeye - A round wooden fitting with holes used to tension the standing rigging that supports the masts

Futtocks - A short section of standing rigging that supports the top and connects it to the lower mast, helping transfer the load from the upper rigging

Ratline - A horizontal rope tied between the shrouds, creating ladder-like steps for sailors climbing aloft

Spar - A general term for a long pole used to support or control sails, such as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff

Cathead - A heavy beam projecting from the bow, traditionally used to raise and secure an anchor

Guy - A line used to steady or control the position of a spar, boom, or other piece of equipment

Mast hoop - A wooden or metal ring around a mast that attaches a sail to the mast while allowing it to move up and down

Topmast - The section of mast above the lower mast, extending the height of the rig and allowing additional sails to be set

Binnacle - A protective housing near the helm that holds the ship’s compass

Inspired by

08/26/2026

SUMMER AMBASSADOR 2026 was one for the books! Can’t wait to do it again next year 😎

08/19/2026

Another Summer Ambassador Program is in the books! ⛵
We like to think of Denis Sullivan as an ambassador herself.
Built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she now sails far beyond the Great Lakes, carrying a piece of where she came from while serving students along the East Coast and in the Virgin Islands.
So it feels fitting that our Summer Ambassadors come from all over too.
This year, students arrived from communities across the U.S. and beyond. For eight days, those different backgrounds came together aboard one ship as they sailed, learned, and lived as a crew.
Now they head home as ambassadors themselves, carrying a little bit of Denis Sullivan and World Ocean School back to their own communities.
The program may be over, but we’re not done sharing it.
Follow our Stories over the next eight days as we relive the voyage, one day at a time. ⛵

08/11/2026

Regular knives/vegetable choppers are OUT. Handcrafted knives/vegetable choppers by our very own Capt. Christopher Flansburg are IN ✅️

This vegetable chopper - laminated with iron and high-carbon steel in what is known as the "San mai" traditional blade-making technique - and many more items are available during our online auction! Get your bids in before this Thursday, August 13th at 8 PM EST.

Link in bio 🔗

08/07/2026

This could be you if you particpate in our online auction 👀

Bid on amazing experiences and items such as:

-A Boston package including a stay at the Seaport Hotel | Boston and tickets to the ICA/Boston
-Roseway sailbag made from original cloth
-Sterling silver schooner bracelet (and necklace!) from Crucian Gold

Auction is live until August 13th. Link in bio! 🔗

08/06/2026

Our social media guy is out sailing. It’s up to our ✨Gen Z✨ employees to promote our online auction!

Head to our website to start bidding. Auction live until August 13th. Link in bio!