Schooner Apollonia had a full and vibrant 2025 season. Alongside sailing cargo from Hudson to New York Harbor and training new sailors, we launched several exciting firsts—reaching more communities and young people than ever before.

Celebrating Fish Migration

This spring we teamed up with Riverkeeper for the inaugural Fish Migration Celebration, transforming Apollonia into a giant golden Atlantic Sturgeon with the help of puppet artist Greg Corbino! Along with partner vessels we sailed north to make visible what's happening below the surface: our annual migrating fish.

River Literacy Programs

This year we asked ourselves: What does it mean to speak “estuary”?

To start answering that question, we created 12 themed river literacy programs exploring navigation, history, ecology, and the stories that make the Hudson so special—all with the help of amazing local partners.

We sailed back in time with Greene County Historian Jon Palmer; celebrated the 200th anniversary of Thomas Cole’s first voyage to Catskill with the Thomas Cole House; explored Indigenous river relationships with ethnoecologist Justin Wexler; and even traveled millions of years into the past with geologist Becky Nesel.

Kids and adults alike joined in the storytelling. With educator Vicky Fenny, young explorers imagined life on the 1800s waterfront, while adults enjoyed her thrilling (and chilling) whaling tales under a setting sun. Our friends at Shinbone Alley shared river shanties that had passengers arriving in costume and leaving humming.

Youth Internships

We were proud to welcome youth interns from Operation Unite NY and Spark of Hudson, giving young sailors hands-on experience and a glimpse into maritime careers. 

Waterfront Activation

Through Waterfront Wednesdays and Sankofa, more than 300 people sailed with us from Hudson for free. We also brought programming to new waterfronts during cargo runs—partnering with the Poughkeepsie Public Library to do story time under sail, Milton Landing to do deck tours and a movie screening, and the Village of Dobbs Ferry to host public sails during a waterfront market this Fall. 

All of these efforts support our mission: to develop a model that moves cargo sustainably while creating positive change and reconnecting people with the Hudson.

Help Keep Us Under Sail

As we wrap up 2025, we’re asking for your support to keep this work moving forward. Your gift directly helps us:

• Care for and maintain Apollonia

• Train new crew and youth interns

• Expand our river literacy programs

• Maintain and build partnerships along the river

Some of our work is made possible thanks to our fiscal sponsor, the Hudson Sloop Club, who encourages us every step of the way.

Thank you for being part of this growing community—and for helping keep the tradition, and future, of working sail alive on the Hudson River.

With gratitude,

Sam Merrett
Captain, Schooner Apollonia

P.S. if you are interested in an Apollonia Hoodie, we are doing another run next week!