Ever since I was five years old, I’ve been coming to Provincetown and sailing on Hindu. It was the first sailboat I ever sailed on, and the one that sparked my interest in being on the water. I’m now entering my senior year of high school and hope to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy. When I was given the opportunity to work on Hindu this summer, I knew I wanted to take it. I wanted to learn more about sailing and seamanship, but I also wanted to experience what it was like to be part of a crew and take on the responsibilities that come with working on a boat.
This is my first year working as crew, but last summer I spent two weeks helping out while I was in town. That experience gave me a glimpse into what it takes to keep a historic vessel running and ultimately brought me back in the summer of 2026 to the Hindu.
Growing up, I always saw the crew as the people who made everything happen. They hoisted the sails, answered questions, and made every trip look easy. What I never realized as a passenger was how much work went into each sail before the guests even stepped aboard. Now that I’ve had the chance to be part of the crew, I’ve gained a new appreciation for everything that happens to prepare for each sail.
Every day has brought something different. Some days have been spent sailing in Provincetown Harbor, while others have involved maintenance, preparing the boats for the next trip, or learning from the captains and more experienced crew members. I’ve learned that good seamanship isn’t just about knowing how to sail. It’s about paying attention to the details, working as a team, communicating clearly, and taking pride in doing every job well, even the ones that most people never notice.
These are some of the same qualities that I hope to develop further at the United States Coast Guard Academy and eventually bring into a career in the Coast Guard. Working on Hindu has shown me the importance of being dependable and knowing that the people around you are counting on you to do your part. It has also taught me that leadership isn’t always about being the person in charge. Sometimes it means listening, helping someone else, or stepping up when something needs to be done.
Looking back, I realize that the same boat that introduced me to sailing has now become the place where I’ve taken my first steps toward a future on the water. Hindu has inspired my love of sailing since I was five years old, and now, years later, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to help take care of the boat where everything started.
I’m grateful to everyone who has taken the time to teach me this summer and trusted me to be part of the crew. I hope that somewhere among the guests who step aboard Hindu this season is another person who will leave the dock inspired, just like I was.