BEACON, NY – Following a successful haulout and winter restoration, the captains, crew, and staff of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater are preparing to launch America’s Environmental Flagship for their 2025 sailing season, which begins this weekend.

The Clearwater will set sail for its first public sails of the season on Saturday, April 12, at 10:30am and 5pm from the sloop’s Homeport at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston. Tickets remain available for the 10:30am sail, while the 5pm Community Sail sponsored by M&T Bank is sold out. Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is proud to partner with local businesses to offer free and reduced-price Community Sails across the region and seeks additional sail sponsors for the 2025 season. View the 2025 sail calendar and purchase tickets at: https://www.clearwater.org/public-sails/.

This season, Clearwater will be co-captained by Rory Kane and Liam Henrie. Captain Kane began sailing through Clearwater’s Trainee Program and has served in nearly every position aboard Clearwater, and has captained the sloop since 2022. Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Kane has vast experience on Tall Ships on the East and West Coasts, where he flourished under the mentorship of industry leaders, earning his Captain’s License in 2019.

“We spend each winter restoring the Clearwater, ensuring the sloop is river-ready by spring. This year, we upgraded our refrigeration system, performed the maintenance needed on our hatches and sole boards, and replaced planks on the quarterdeck and the topsides. I’m very excited to sail with our new main sail, which we bent on last week. Each sail lasts about 10 years, so it’s a special moment starting a new season with a new sail.” Stated Captain Rory Kane

Serving alongside Captain Kane is Captain Liam Henrie. Captain Henrie began as a volunteer in summer 2015, working his way up to serving as co-captain last season. Liam was born and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, and in his years sailing has worked on vessels around the world.

“We’re finishing up the intense but always enjoyable rush of getting the sloop rigged and welcoming aboard the sailing crew, some old hands and some brand new to the work. Reflected Captain Liam Henrie. “ The season is looking bright, with exciting collaborations in the works with Apollonia, Riverkeeper, and NY Harbor School. I can’t wait for the first sail set of 2025!”

As Clearwater enters its 56th season of sailing, expanding programming and partnerships across the region is top of mind. Recently hired Education Director, Emily Marcet, is leading the organization’s efforts to forge innovative partnerships from Brooklyn to the Capital District. 

This season is about exploring new and different types of programming to expand access to the Hudson River, its ecology, and its storied history.” Said Emily Marcet, Director of Education. “We are developing new school-based education programs, dockside toddler programs, homeschool and scouting opportunities, as well as art- and wellness-focused sails in addition to our longstanding music and speaker sails.”

Each year, Clearwater sails from communities between the Capital Region and NYC, welcoming aboard thousands of students, families, and individuals aboard for Public, Education, and Community sails and private charters from April to November. The 2025 sailing calendar is available through mid-June, and additional sails will be added to the calendar on a rolling basis through October. To view the full sailing calendar and to purchase tickets, click here: (click).

Clearwater is now also accepting reservations for Private Charters (click) and Education Sails (click).

 

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About Hudson River Sloop Clearwater 

In 1966, the Hudson River was plagued by industrial pollution, and folk singer Pete Seeger and a group of activists decided to “build a boat to save the river” by bringing together communities across the region to protect and restore the river. Three years later, the sloop Clearwater set sail with a mission to save the Hudson through education, advocacy, sailing, and music. Nearly six decades later, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater remains resolute in this mission, and to date, more than half a million people have had the life-changing experience of sailing aboard the Clearwater. For more information, visit www.clearwater.org.

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
724 Wolcott Ave, Beacon, NY 12508 
www.clearwater.org @sloopclearwater

Contact: 
Jen Benson, Director of Communications + Advocacy
 jen@clearwater.org 
585-943-7454