Captains & Crew 

 

CAPTAIN JUSTIN SCHAEFER

Owner & Captain
Lindenhurst, NY

Justin has been sailing since he was old enough to stand and that is no exaggeration. A Long Island native, he grew up sailing on the Great South Bay with his father, Chris, nearly every day there was wind. Justin always wanted to sail as a profession, but that dream wasn’t fully realized until his parents took him on a Kids & Family Cruise on the Schooner J. & E. Riggin when he was 12 years old. For Justin, the experience was life-altering and he was determined to return as one of the crew members he so admired. He would go on to sail as a guest, and apprentice for countless trips throughout the next 6 summers, a deckhand for 1 season, and finally, as the mate in 2015.

Justin currently holds a 100-ton captain’s license and has cruised many parts of the East Coast and the Bahamas on yachts and schooners alike, but there is nowhere on Earth he loves to sail as much as Maine. “It’s just the most beautiful place I have ever been. Everywhere you look is another postcard-worthy landscape.” Justin is excited to be a part of creating magical memories like those he has of sailing with his family in his youth. 

CAPTAIN JOCELYN SCHMIDT

Owner & Cook
Kent, OH

Jocelyn went to Hiram College with ambitions of becoming a history teacher or an archivist, but a study abroad on SSV ­Harvey Gamage in 2012 opened her eyes to a world of adventure available to educators unlike anything she had ever known. After that, she spent every summer sailing and teaching on a multitude of different schooners, combining her two passions. Following her graduation in 2015, she moved to Maine, and within two days of her arrival she met Justin.

Jocelyn has sailed the full length of the East Coast and around the Caribbean on schooners earning her a 100-ton captain’s license, as well, but her real passion lies in working with youth. She hopes to “share [her] knowledge the art of sailing with learners of all ages and to inspire the next generation of youth sailors like Justin, with adventures on J. & E. Riggin.” In addition to teaching, Jocelyn enjoys taking her dog, Odin, to the park, hiking, and crafting meals & cocktails with local ingredients, some from her own small garden.

JENNY LACHANCE

Social Media Manager & Deckhand
Nashville, TN

How long have you been sailing?
5 years professionally.
What are you most looking forward to?
Maine Sunsets 
What are some of your hobbies & interests outside of windjamming?
Traveling, boxing, mixology, LSAT prep 
Favorite island for Lobster Bake?
Marshall Island
Any other fun things you want the internet to know about you?
I used to competitively figure skate and my grandparents ran a windjammer!

 

ALEX KELLY

Chief Mate
Texas

How long have you been sailing?
This will be my 5th season
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to the Windjammer Rendezvous, Race Week, the Wooden Boat Sail-In, any event where the whole fleet gets together. It’s a rare thing to have so many traditional tall ships gathered in one place, and it always feels very magical and exciting.
What are some of your hobbies & interests outside of windjamming?
I really enjoy drawing & painting.
Favorite island for Lobster Bake?
Calderwood! The trails around the island are really nice, especially the one leading to the field at the top of the hill. You get an almost 360 degree view of the surrounding islands, and I always take some time to go up there and bask in the sun. There’s also a lot of cool rocks on the beach.
Any other fun things you want the internet to know about you?
When I was 15 I became a Girl Scout specifically so I could learn to sail. My troop had two people in it and all we did was go to the sailing camp together.
 

KEEGAN HOUPT

Galley Hand
Wisconsin

How long have you been sailing?
I am a fresh newbie at sailing.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to sailing all summer and maybe a possible puffin sighting.
What are some of your hobbies & interests outside of windjamming?
Hiking, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and riding my Harley.
What are your favorite things about Maine?
I like fall foliage, Acadia NP, and seafood!
 

ELIAS “POINTY” PORTER

Deckhand
Appleton, ME

How long have you been sailing?
I have been sailing my whole life, but windjamming for the past 2 years, mostly on the Lewis R French out of Camden.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to learning how to sail J. & E. Riggin style, and of course, the music cruises featuring some of the biggest names in Maine!
What are some of your hobbies & interests outside of windjamming?
When I am not sailing, I study Environmental Science & Geology, and run the student radio station at Colby College. I play the guitar and the mandolin. This fall, I’ll be researching the Gulf of Maine ecosystem at Bigelow Labs in Boothbay!
What are your favorite things about Maine?
My favorite island for a lobster bake is in Merchant’s Row near Stonington.
 

 

By the Numbers

  • Capt. Justin holds a 100-ton license
  • Capt. Jocelyn holds a 100-ton license
  • 568 trips & over 9,000 passengers since 1998
  • Became the new stewards of the Riggin in 2021
  • Over 211,000+ meals have been shared aboard

Heard on the Docks…

“Not only is she fun to sail (and “well-Captained”) the warmth and enthusiasm you both show in everything you do makes me, and the other passengers who sail with you, feel truly a part of the Riggin family”

~ Dave B., Boston, MA

 

 

“The food was outstanding and healthy.  We enjoyed the fresh herbs, veggies, wonderful breads, etc.”

~ Bill & Beverly B., OK

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