SEASTR received a $1,000 grant from NMTA to support their mission of getting people of all abilities out on the water. We caught up with president and founder Erica Lichty to learn more about their work.
What does SEASTR do, in a nutshell?
SEASTR is a women- and diversity-led nonprofit that creates access points into the maritime world—from sailing and paddle sports to maritime careers, environmental action, and healing on the water. We focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and connecting people to opportunities, mentorship, and real-life experiences on the Salish Sea.
How did SEASTR use the $1,000 NMTA Grow Boating Grant?
NMTA’s support allowed us to participate in key events like Women at the Helm, the Wooden Boat Festival, She Tells Sea Tales, and more. These touchpoints helped us bring new participants onto the water, host conversations about inclusion, and showcase community-based maritime programming. We also hosted our first large-scale fundraiser and awarded our inaugural scholarship to help one of our participants pursue her 100-ton captain’s license.
Tell us more about the participants you serve.
A great example is a young woman who first joined us through a Muslim sailing event three years ago. Recently, she completed ASA 101 thanks to a sponsored class through SEASTR. She’s now eager to continue training and is helping us dream up ways to provide boat access to a cohort of emerging crew members. Her story is a perfect example of how one experience on the water can lead to a long-term connection to maritime.
What’s SEASTR’s approach to building maritime access?
We partner with women+ vessel owners to form an informal fleet. These boats are used for training sails (anchoring, safety, docking), mentorship outings, and community events like races or regattas. At Women at the Helm, for example, our flagship vessel SV Tre offered a rare one-to-one instructor ratio for participants—making the learning hands-on and transformative.
What’s next for SEASTR?
We’re launching a podcast called I Am Maritime—a storytelling platform that connects maritime culture with real-life experiences. It’s also a fundraising tool to support scholarships, workforce development, and inclusive programming. We’re actively seeking sponsorships to bring this vision to life.
How can NMTA members support SEASTR?
We need both visibility and funding. Donations can be made at www.seastrpnw.com, and we’d love to connect with members interested in vessel access, podcast sponsorship, or mentorship opportunities.
