Volunteer Ship Restoration Program

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Join the crew at South Street Seaport Museum in preserving, restoring, and maintaining our historic fleet of ships. Get your hands dirty, make some friends, and learn useful and unique skills!

This year-round program invites volunteers to help maintain and restore the Museum’s stationary and operational vessels. We welcome all levels of experience and offer the chance for new volunteers to learn and preserve these precious skills.

Entry level: No special skills are required, just a willingness to learn and be part of a team. During every month of the year, Museum volunteers and staff work together to care for the fleet. Work includes: cleaning and organizing, repairs, painting, polishing, varnishing, and general maintenance. In the Fall, the sailing vessels are down-rigged for the Winter. In the Spring, the operational vessels are fitted out and re-rigged for the coming sailing season. Most labor is unskilled and training is provided.

Specialized skills: The Museum welcomes any volunteer that has more specialized skills-all ships need carpenters, electricians, engineers, riggers, and metalworkers from time to time. There are also opportunities to learn aspects of these trades during work days and special workshops.

Requirements: Projects require physical stamina, skills as described above, and an ability to work cooperatively in a team setting. Work is often dirty and requires wearing PPE. Volunteers must be willing to work in this kind of environment.

Must be above the age of 16. All skill levels are welcome. Training is provided.


The South Street Seaport Museum preserves and interprets the ​origins and growth of New York City as a world port, a place where goods, labor, and cultures are exchanged through work, commerce, and the interaction of diverse communities.