Putting cadets under sail is the best way to teach our future maritime officers the ways of the sea and for them to acquire a love for its lore. Under sail, the future officer gains a greater appreciation and respect for the wind, waves, and tides.

Sailing craft also provide cadets with a valuable leadership experience – often their first experience at command and control at sea. A ship under sail tests the true character and mettle of a young officer and provides invaluable lessons on the importance of teamwork.

The Coast Guard Academy’s fleet of coastal sail training craft, “the Luders,” are long past their prime and, if they are not soon replaced, the Academy will lose one of its most important platforms for leadership and character development.

The Leadership 44 Campaign seeks to raise the funds needed to replace the aging Luders fleet, which has been used for the Coastal Sail Training Program (CSTP) for more than 40 years. The Leadership 44 coastal sail training vessels

• are the Superintendent’s top priority
• are designed to be a floating leadership platform, providing Cadets a maritime experience that is difficult to recreate with large cutters
• will be the primary platform for the 2/c Coastal Sail Training Program, which is considered by most cadets to be their seminal leadership experience while at the Academy
• will provide all cadets with small craft command and control, navigation, and seamanship experiences
• will be used as an extension of the cadet barracks, with each cadet Company having access to, and responsibility for, its own boat
• will extend the waterfront season, providing Cadets more time underway
• will allow for standardization of the off-shore sailing program
• will showcase the Coast Guard Academy as one of the premier waterfront facilities in the country

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association

Coast Guard Foundation

CGA Parents Association