About
Our Skills
Leadership
Girls take on increasing responsibility as they gain experience — from leading maintenance projects and planning sailing routes to instructing newer crew members. Every girl has the opportunity to develop her own leadership style through real-world, hands-on challenges.
Teamwork
Operating and maintaining a boat requires everyone to work together, whether it’s hoisting sails, navigating the Bay, or scrubbing the deck. Crew members learn to rely on each other’s strengths and communicate effectively to reach shared goals.
Confidence
Mastering new skills like tying knots, steering the boat, or giving commands helps girls build confidence in their abilities. By progressing through our recognition program and earning awards, they see just how capable they truly are.
Our Boat
M.S.S. TRADEWIND is an ex-US Navy Landing Craft Swimmer Reconnaissance Vessel. Seven LCSR’s were built by Uniflite during the Vietnam War and designed for the Navy as a fast, well-armed patrol boat, seaworthy enough for offshore patrols but with a small enough draft to permit operations in coastal waters. The hull was designed to plane with the gas turbine engines that were originally installed. These boats were designed to drop off and retrieve Navy SEALS. These vessels never got beyond the testing stage. The hull is fiberglass, 50 feet long with a 13 foot beam.
M.S.S. Tradewind took over the vessel in 1994, rebuilt and installed a pair of GM 671’s acquired through the Sea Scouts, and has been operating it ever since! We have added a hydraulic steering system, water and holding tanks, redesigned the galley and both heads. Recently we added a 7.7kw Westerbeke generator and took on the task of completely rebuilding the crew’s quarters! Whew! A lot of hard work has gone into this old gal!
Our History
Mariner Scout Ship Tradewind was established in 1954 originally as a Cadette troop in Menlo Park for girls in junior high school. In 1956, Mrs. Jackie Harker became the first skipper (troop leader) and thus began the rich history of Mariner Scouting in Redwood City . Hundreds of girls over 50 plus years have learned nautical skills, served their community, earned Girl Scouting’s highest awards, and developed a love for the sea through their time in the crew of Mariner Ship Tradewind.
M.S.S. Tradewind has developed a recognition program based on the original Mariner Scout handbook using the same system of awards, but including the changes in Girl Scout program as they have occurred over the years. Girls in our program begin with basic safety and seamanship skills, community service, and Girl Scout Interest Projects that relate to water-based activities, and progress to supervisory and instructional levels as they fine-tune their boating skills and develop their personal leadership style.
