Barkentine Gazela

10/02/2026

A new school year brings new interns ready to learn the ropes. ⚓

Our Science Leadership Academy (Science Leadership Academy CC) interns are settling into their year with us and have started with the basics that make everything else possible.

So far, they’ve learned the importance of being a safe shipmate, practiced line flaking and line handling, and helped to "harbor furl" aboard our barge, Poplar in preparation for our Winter maintenance. They’ll be with us throughout the school year, building hands-on maritime and trades skills alongside our crew.

👉 Maritime folks: do you have any words of wisdom to pass along to our new shipmates?

And if you have more knowledge or experience to share with our interns, we’d love to connect with you! We’re building out their schedule and looking for PSPG community members to share a hands-on skill or talk about your career in the maritime trades. Interested? Send us a DM or email our Education Team at [email protected]. Thanks.

09/24/2026

Come aboard Gazela Primeiro this Saturday! ⚓

We’re opening the gangway from 10am - 4pm during the Delaware River Festival. Explore the deck, meet some of our awesome volunteer crew, and get a closer look at Philadelphia’s 125-year-old tall ship.

📅 Saturday, Sept. 26. 10am - 4pm
📍 Gazela Primeiro docked at Penn’s Landing, near the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink
🎟️ FREE. All ages welcome. Donations greatly appreciated.

Stick around and explore the rest of the Delaware River Festival activities happening on both sides of the river in Philly, PA and Camden, NJ. Hope to see you there!

🔗 Get more info at philashipguild.org

09/22/2026

How was your weekend? Ours looked like this. 👀⛵

Last weekend, Gazela Primeiro headed out on the Delaware for a training sail with our volunteer crew.

This view came from aloft, high up in the rigging, while crew prepared the sails.

Did you know that most of our crew comes to Gazela with zero previous tall ship sailing experience? Volunteers learn by showing up, working alongside experienced crew, and taking part in our free/low-cost training classes.

Interested in seeing where volunteering might take you? Join us at an upcoming event. Or come down dockside for our Saturday Work Day. We're ready to show you the ropes!

⚓ PSPG keeps Philadelphia’s historic ships active through hands-on preservation, training, and volunteer crew. Follow along or visit philashipguild.org/volunteer to learn how to get involved.

09/19/2026

good news, Philly! we know a place. ⛵

Nation Demands More Jobs Where You Steer Ship With Big Wooden Wheel https://theonion.com/nation-demands-more-jobs-where-you-steer-ship-with-big-1851177876/

09/18/2026

Ships like Gazela don’t last 125 years on their own. People keep them alive. ⛵

Gazela Primeiro turns 125 this year. And while that milestone belongs to the ship, it also belongs to the generations of people who have worked aboard her. 💪

Here in Philly, since 1971, countless hands have helped keep Gazela going. Scraping, painting, rigging, caulking, repairing, cooking, learning, fundraising, organizing, sailing... There is always work to be done, and people continue to show up for her.

As we build toward Gazela’s 125th Birthday Celebration, we want to hear from you — the people who have helped keep her going.

⚓ How have you helped keep Gazela going? ⚓

If you’ve put your time and skills (and maybe even some blood, sweat, and tears) into this ship over the years, tell us about it in the comments! Share a memory, a photo, or something you’re especially proud to have contributed.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll share more stories from Gazela’s past and present as we look ahead to what comes next.

🎉 Want to celebrate with us? Join us aboard Gazela Primeiro on October 10 for her 125th Birthday Celebration.

🎟️ Tickets + Details: https://www.philashipguild.org/event-details/gazela-primeiros-125th-birthday-celebration

09/11/2026

We’re hiring a Vessel Manager! ⚓

We’re looking for someone with experience in vessel maintenance, repair, and operations to help lead the day-to-day work aboard Gazela Primeiro and Poplar.

This role brings together ship maintenance and readiness with leadership and mentorship. Our Vessel Manager will help keep projects moving, support and train our volunteers and foremen, and work directly with high school interns and pre-apprentices as they build skills in the maritime trades.

You don’t already need to be a tall ship expert. If you bring relevant hands-on experience along with strong organization, communication, and people skills, we encourage you to learn more and consider applying.

We’re looking for a steady problem-solver who can take ownership of their work, collaborate with others, and help maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone working and learning aboard.

Full-time • $54,000/year
Desired Start Date: October 2026

🗓️ Regular Saturday availability required, with some flexibility for evenings and emergency response.
🔗 Learn more about the position and how to apply at philashipguild.org/careers
🧩 Know someone who might be a good fit? Please share this post with them.

09/05/2026

There are multiple bells aboard Gazela, and they each have a story. 🔔

The bell pictured here hangs on the side of the pilothouse, while Gazela’s ship’s bell hangs near the bow, at the front of the kingstay, above the bowsprit. The bowsprit is the long wooden spar that extends forward over the water from the front of the ship, and the kingstay is part of the fixed rigging that helps support the masts.

The crew who worked aboard Gazela Primeiro for nearly 70 years as a commercial fishing ship on the Grand Banks used bells to…

⏰ Mark time. Traditionally, an officer rang a smaller bell near the wheel every 30 minutes, and the lookout at the bow answered on the ship’s bell.
😶‍🌫️ Serve as a fog signal.
📢 Recall fishermen working away from the ship in their dories — small fishing boats.

Sometimes they used something a bit louder: a small bronze cannon to help call the fishermen back. 💥 EDIT: An earlier version said that we no longer have the cannon due to vandals in the 1970s, but a longtime crew and board member shared that we indeed do have it still!

The bells and cannon all remain as small pieces of daily life and sounds aboard Gazela.

⚓ Gazela Primeiro is a historic Barkentine used for training, education, and building community, based in Philadelphia. Follow PSPG for upcoming open ship days, events, and ways to get involved.

09/02/2026

Riverside Sessions returns September 10! ⚓🎶

Join us aboard Gazela Primeiro, the Official Tall Ship of Philadelphia, for live music from local indie rock band, The Extraordinaires, local brews from Philadelphia Brewing Co, and an intimate evening along the Delaware River waterfront.

The ship opens at 5:30 p.m. for drinks and socializing, followed by music at 7 p.m.

Riverside Sessions: The Extraordinaires + Philadelphia Brewing Co.

🎟 Tickets are $25
🍺 One drink from Philadelphia Brewing Co. is included for guests ages 21+
⚓ All ages welcome; nonalcoholic options available
🌧️ Rain date: Thursday, September 17

Snacks will be available for purchase, and you’re welcome to bring your own food. No outside alcohol is permitted. Gazela Primeiro will remain dockside throughout the event.

Please note that guests board via a gangway and stairs. This historic ship is not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us with any questions about access.

Thursday, September 10 • 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Get tickets now: https://www.philashipguild.org/event-details/riverside-sessions-sep26

08/31/2026

Pirates just took over Philly's historic tall ship, and every show sold out. 🏴‍☠️

For four days, Midnight Creatives hosted a Pirates and Rum Speakeasy, filling the ship with raunchy pirate mischief and lots of tasty rum. 🍹

Thanks to all who joined us, to the cast and bartenders, and to the PSPG volunteer crew, who welcomed guests aboard all weekend.

⚓ Follow along to see what's happening next aboard Gazela Primeiro.