About US Brig Niagara

The US Brig Niagara is inspected by the United States Coast Guard as a Sailing School Vessel. She has auxiliary propulsion engines and modern navigation equipment, but lacks modern amenities such as warm water, showers, and privacy. During the summer, she is sailed by a crew of 17 professionals, supplemented by 20 trainees willing to live onboard for a minimum of three weeks under Spartan conditions such as hammock berthing and living out of a duffel bag. During the winter she is maintained by five full-time staff and a corps of 50 to 100 volunteers from the Erie Region who donate maintenance hours, which are valued towards their tuition to sail as trainees during the summer.

 As a Sailing School Vessel, Niagara is prohibited from carrying passengers for hire. Sailing School Vessels adhere to different design, construction, and safety standards than do passenger vessels. Sailing School Trainees learn a sailing related curriculum while onboard, and unlike passengers, are expected to be responsible and active participants in the working and sailing of the vessel.