Maritime Scholarships
& the Captain Candidate Class
Sail Shop Chicago trains you — engine maintenance, sail rigging, light carpentry, and the full captain’s license path, at Crowley’s Yacht Yard. The International Shipmasters’ Association, Chicago Lodge 3, funds the credential. Every graduate’s sailing endorsement is covered.
A Chicago Tradition, Scaled
For generations, Chicago’s maritime community has funded its own next generation. Grant Crowley of Crowley’s Yacht Yard has personally funded sailing endorsements for Chicago captains for decades — not as a program, but as a habit of investing in the people who work the lake. Sail Shop Chicago, a 501(c)(3), exists to scale that tradition.
The International Shipmasters’ Association, Chicago Lodge 3, carries the same mission from the credential side: one of ISMA’s own goals is to encourage entry into the maritime field and support the continued advancement of mariners within the industry. Their scholarships pay for the courses that lead to a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential.
The pipeline is simple: Sail Shop trains you. ISMA Chicago Lodge 3 funds the credential. The endorsement is covered. For anyone on a Sail Shop boat who wants to go from passenger to captain — the path is real.
The Captain Candidate Class at Crowley’s Yacht Yard
A hands-on development class held at Crowley’s Yacht Yard — Chicago’s working boatyard on the Calumet River. Four tracks, one goal: a captain candidate ready to earn the license and keep a boat running.
Engine & Systems Maintenance
Taught in a working boatyard
A captain who can't keep an engine running isn't ready to carry passengers. Hands-on marine diesel fundamentals in the yard where Chicago's boats get fixed.
Sail Rigging
Standing and running rigging
Rig inspection, tuning, and maintenance — the working knowledge behind the sailing endorsement every graduate walks away with.
Light Carpentry & Boatwork
Real boats, real repairs
Brightwork, bedding hardware, and repair fundamentals — the skills that keep a wooden-trimmed Lake Michigan boat alive. Our Pearson 323 restoration is the working classroom.
The Captain's License, End to End
OUPV and 100-Ton Master
Every aspect of the credential: sea-service documentation, first aid and CPR, the physical, the application, and exam preparation for your Merchant Mariner Credential.
Schedule, class length, and cohort size are being finalized now. Dates will be announced with the first cohort. Join the interest list and we’ll contact you first.
Working on our restoration project is part of the class — see the Pearson 323 restoration log.
Funded by the International Shipmasters’ Association, Chicago Lodge 3
ISMA Chicago Lodge 3 offers two maritime scholarships. Students who complete the Captain Candidate Class are the applicants — the class is the developmental program that gets you ready to earn the credential, and we help you assemble your scholarship application.
Cadet Scholarship
Offers 2 OUPV and Masters upgrade combination courses at Explorer’s Guide Maritime Academy. This scholarship is only available to Cadet-level ISMA membership and is only good for initial licensing. Cost is covered for both classes.
Mariner Scholarship
Awarded to up to three mariners each year who are seeking their first maritime credentials or furthering their education in the maritime community. Scholarships may be applied towards the tuition of committee approved courses leading to the issuance or upgrade of a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential, rating, or endorsement. This is a reimbursement scholarship — awardees must show a successful course completion certificate and receipt for payment before receiving funds. Open to all applicants.
Application materials must be submitted to an ISMA Lodge #3 Scholarship Committee representative by September 30th. Applicants may not have already received a scholarship from ISMA Chicago Lodge #3. Courses must be completed within 6 months of the deadline.
After submitting the application, you’ll be asked for two letters of recommendation: one from a manager or captain at your present job, and one that must come from a current member in good standing of Chicago Lodge 3. Email both letters to scholarship@chicagoshipmasters.com.
What Passing Gets You
The class exists to produce working Chicago captains — not certificates on a wall.
Want the full license path?
Captain Development covers OUPV and 100-Ton Master requirements, the 6-step MMC process, endorsements, and the Captain Mentorship Program.
Starting from zero?
ASA 101 through ASA 104 gives you the sailing foundation — and documented sea time — before you ever think about a license.