Home > News Bytes > Let’s Go Sailing: DRBC’s Our Shared Waters Program Hosts Experiential Learning Aboard the Kalmar Nyckel
Let’s Go Sailing: DRBC’s Our Shared Waters Program Hosts Experiential Learning Aboard the Kalmar Nyckel

Delaware’s official Tall Ship, the Kalmar Nyckel, was featured this summer in two experiential learning events hosted by DRBC’s Our Shared Waters (OSW) Program.

Local legislators and community members were invited to get aboard the Kalmar, meet the crew and learn from DRBC staff and local businesses about why a sustainable, clean water supply is vital for people, businesses and wildlife.

As someone exclaimed on one of the sails, who's a better advocate for the Delaware than the Delaware?

We couldn't have said it better ourselves; read on to learn more!

August 2021
DRBC's Peter Eschbach poses in front of the Kalmar Nyckel docked in Newcastle, Del. Photo by DRBC.
DRBC's Peter Eschbach poses in front of the
Kalmar Nyckel docked in Newcastle, Del.
Photo by DRBC.

In August, Delaware and Pennsylvania officials met in Newcastle, Delaware. Unfortunately, extreme heat and humidity prevented a sail on the Delaware Bay, but attendees were able to tour the ship and meet the crew and then headed to a local restaurant for a lunch and learn.

On the ship, a press conference was held featuring Senator Tom Carper (DE), Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA), State Senator Stephanie Hansen (DE-10), State Senator Marie Pinkney (DE-13), DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini. Each gave remarks about why the Delaware River Basin needs proper management and protection, highlighting climate change, increased water demand and water quality as issues all vital to address. Senator Carper presented Kalmar Nyckel Captain Lauren Morgens with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.

At the local Boothhouse Tavern, folks heard from W. Ryan Anthes, owner of Hammergod Brewing, and Chris Anderson, Watershed Partnerships Legislative Lead for the Philadelphia Water Department, about the importance of clean water to the brewing and drinking water industries, respectively. DRBC Manager of Water Quality Assessment John Yagecic, P.E., and Senior Toxicologist Dr. Ron MacGillivray discussed several water quality issues affecting the Delaware River and Bay, for example, contaminants of emerging concern and improving oxygen levels for endangered fish species. DRBC Senior Water Resource Engineer Dr. Fanghui Chen talk about sea level rise and how it is impacting the Delaware Bay.

Despite the extreme heat, all in attendance appreciated the experience and left with a better understanding of the Delaware River, the DRBC and the importance of clean, sustainable water resources.

Three articles about the event:

Delaware Senator Tom Carper welcomes everyone aboard the ship. Photo by DRBC.Senator Carper presents Kalmar Nyckel Captain Lauren Morgens with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Photo by DRBC.Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester provides remarks aboard the Kalmar Nyckel. Photo by DRBC.Pennsylvania Congresswoman Chrissy Houlihan provides remarks aboard the Kalmar Nyckel. Photo by DRBC.DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin provides remarks aboard the Kalmar Nyckel. Photo by DRBC.DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini provides remarks aboard the Kalmar Nyckel. Photo by DRBC.DRBC Sr. Environmental Toxicologist Dr. Ron Macgillivray (L) and Manager of Water Quality Assessment John Yagecic, P.E., discuss DRBC water quality programs during the lunch and learn. Photo by DRBC.DRBC Sr. Water Resource Engineer Dr. Fanghui Chen, P.E., talks about sea level rise and how it is impacting the Delaware River Estuary. Photo by DRBC.
September 2021
The Kalmar Nyckel docked in Bristol, Pa. Photo by DRBC.
The Kalmar Nyckel docked in Bristol, Pa.
Photo by DRBC.

In September, Pennsylvania legislators and community members joined DRBC staff and local business leaders aboard the Kalmar Nyckel for a sail out of Bristol, Pa. Prior, a press conference was held at the Bristol Wharf pavilion featuring Bristol Borough Councilman Michael Gorman and PA Senator Robert "Tommy" Tomlinson (PA-6). Councilman Gorman welcomed everyone to Historic Bristol Borough and discussed how important their Delaware waterfront is to the people of Bristol Borough. Sen. Tomlinson presented Kalmar Nyckel Captain Lauren Morgens with a flag flown over the Pa. State Capitol.

In addition to Sen. Tomlinson, the legislators in attendance included PA Sen. Art Haywood (PA-4), PA Rep. KC Tomlinson (PA-18), PA Rep. Mary Isaacson (PA-175), PA Rep. Greg Vitali (PA-166), PA Rep. Joe Webster (PA-150), PA Rep. Perry Warren (PA-31) and PA Rep. Meghan Schroeder (PA-29). Staff representing other elected officials were also present.

Once on board the Kalmar, folks heard from the crew about the boat's history, from DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini about the DRBC and got to experience hauling the sails. Afterwards, folks rotated around four stations to hear about why clean water is so important. Hannah Gohde, lead brewer at Naked Brewing, talked about the beer making process and how water is a vital ingredient. Matt Csik of N.J. American Water discussed how water from the Delaware is treated before it comes of out your taps as drinking water; the cleaner the source water is, the better it is for us to drink. Elizabeth Brown of Audubon Mid-Atlantic partnered with DRBC Water Resource Scientist Elaine Panuccio to talk about the ecological connection between clean water, bugs and birds. And, DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh discussed flow management in the Delaware River Basin.

Thanks to beautiful weather, gorgeous river views and good company, the sail was an experiential learning experience not to be forgotten anytime soon. We thank the captain and crew of the Kalmar Nyckel, Hannah, Matt and Beth and everyone in attendance for a great day on the river!

Two articles about the event:

OSW Blog: Personal Perspectives on Our Shared Waters

The OSW website includes a regular blog feature. Recently-retired DRBC Director of External Affairs and Communications Peter Eschbach penned the following about the sails.

The Kalmar Nyckel docked along the Bristol waterfront. Photo by DRBC.The view of the Bristol Wharf from the river. Photo by DRBC.DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini provides introductory remarks at the press conference preceding the sail. Photo by DRBC.Bristol Councilman Michael Gorman welcomes everyone to historic Bristol Borough. Photo by DRBC.Pennsylvania State Senator Robert "Tommy" Tomlinson presents Kalmar Nyckel Captain Lauren Morgens with a flag flown over the Pa. Capitol Building. Photo by DRBC.Legislators pose for a photo with DRBC's Tambini (kneeling, R) and Kalmar Captain Lauren Morgens (kneeling, L) before embarking on the sail. Standing L to R: PA State Rep. KC Tomlinson, PA State Rep. Mary Isaacson, PA State Rep. Greg Vitali, PA State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, PA State Rep. Joe Webster, PA State Sen. Art Haywood, PA State Rep. Perry Warren and PA State Rep. Meghan Schroeder. Photo by DRBC.A view of the Delaware River at Bristol, Pa. Photo by DRBC.The Kalmar Nyckel flew the DRBC's 60th Anniversary flag in honor of the voyage. Photo by DRBC.
A member of the Kalmar Nyckel crew shares the ship's history with those onboard. Photo by DRBC.A view of the Delaware River from the Kalmar Nyckel. Photo by DRBC.A view of the Delaware River from the Kalmar Nyckel. Photo by DRBC.DRBC Water Resource Scientist Elaine Panuccio discusses why we (and birds) care about a healthy aquatic insect population in the Delaware River. Photo by DRBC.Matt Csik of N.J. American Water talks about the importance of clean source water for drinking, as well as the need for partnerships across all sectors to protect the resource. Photo by DRBC.DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, P.E. (L), discusses flow management in the Delaware River Basin. Photo by DRBC.PA State Rep. Mary Isaacson talks with her colleagues about the importance of keeping the Delaware River Basin's waters clean and sustainable. Photo by DRBC.Naked Brewing lead brewer Hannah Gohde talks about how clean water is a vital ingredient in beer. Photo by DRBC. PA legislators pose for a photo aboard the Kalmar Nyckel. Top, L to R: PA Sen. Tomlinson, PA Sen. Haywood, PA Rep. Warren and PA Rep. Webster. Bottom L to R: PA Rep. Tomlinson, PA Rep. Isaacson, PA Rep. Schroeder and PA Rep. Vitali. Photo by DRBC.

While onboard, participants had an opportunity to raise one of the ship's sails. The most important thing to remember is the need for teamwork!

The Kalmar Nyckel is owned and operated by the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, which is a non-profit education organization based in Wilmington, Del. The Foundation uses the ship as a floating classroom to celebrate the cultural and maritime history of Delaware.

DRBC's Our Shared Waters Program is a DRBC-managed public outreach effort of multiple stakeholder groups. Its main goals are to (1) educate the public and decisionmakers about the Delaware River Basin and the opportunities available to play a role in its continued sustainability and (2) connect people to their local waterways, connect with one another and connect with the bigger picture – we’re all a part of the Delaware River Basin.