Dock Talks

The Dock Talks Speaker Series is a way for the public and the Sound Experience community to engage, on or off the ship, on topics focused on maritime, the environment and community. Experts in their field are invited to share their work and learnings in a variety of topics through a short presentation. Each talk is unique and cover a variety of topics. For example, juvenile salmon migration, how the Salish Sea map was created or how to identify marine mammals on the water.

All Virtual Dock Talks will be posted on this page through the Sound Experience YouTube channel (via the Virtual Dock Talks Playlist) so they can be easily accessible for youth, families, teachers and the public. These presentations are accessible to all, free of charge.
 
 

Click through the tabs below to explore Dock Talks from 2022

Saturday Seminar: A broad history of Western Sailing Ships

Katelinn Shaw, Adventuress Captain
In-person presentation will be part of the January 15th Winter Work Weekend. Recorded presentation may be posted afterwards.

Update as of Jan 12th - Due to the current Covid surge, the January Winter Work Weekend has been cancelled. Katelinn's Dock Talk will be presented at the February Winter Work Weekend instead.

Saturday Seminar: A broad history of Western Sailing Ships

Katelinn Shaw, Adventuress Captain
In-person presentation will be part of the February 12th Winter Work Weekend. Recorded presentation may be posted afterwards.


Click through the tabs below to explore Dock Talks from 2021

Saturday Seminar: Hold That Thought - Three Seizings

Recording posted - Live event was January 16th at 10am PST
Seizings are a way of using friction to hold things together. For example, the seizings on the lower shrouds create enough friction between the standing end (the shroud side) and the tail end to hold the rig up when the sails are full. Seizings are usually made, or “tied” with fiber marline, seine twine, or wire, depending on the application. 

If you’d like to practice during/after this workshop, you’ll want to gather:
- Twine (seine twine, marline, any medium sized string you have)
- A large diameter (~3/4”) rope (or two broomsticks)
- A marline spike (or large screwdriver)
- Yourself!


Saturday Seminar: Sails: Design & Construction

Recording posted - Live event was February 6th at 10am PST
The winter months are a good time to do your sail repair. While we're at it, let's take a look at how a sail is put together. We'll discuss the canvas they're made of and the steps involved in designing and building a traditional sail. You'll never look at one the same way again! We'll end with a herringbone repair stitch so have your palm and needle at the ready.



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Saturday Seminar: Haul out! What are we doing in the air?

Recording posted - Live event was February 20th at 10am PST
Take a walk around the ship to get a tour of all the projects underway when the ship is "on the hard." We'll take a look at the bottom paint, the propeller shaft and stuffing box, clean the sea strainers, empty the chain locker and more! This is a unique chance to see what goes on not behind the scenes, but under the water to keep us afloat!


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How Puget Sound Shaped My Life and My Stories

Jim Lynch, Novelist
Recording posted - Prerecorded Dock Talk originally posted February 24th

Jim Lynch has written four novels, two of which were set on the shores, tidal flats and open waters of Puget Sound. His first novel, The Highest Tide, starred a boy who kept finding marine life that shouldn’t be washing up in South Puget Sound. The book was a bestseller in the United States and in England and has been published in a dozen languages. His most recent novel, Before the Wind, is about an eccentric Seattle family obsessed with building and racing sailboats. That novel was a bestseller in France in 2018. Jim grew up in the Seattle area and now lives in Olympia.

To learn more about Jim Lynch and his books visit his website.

Dock Talks are taking a break in March to help the Sound Experience team to prepare for the start of the sailing season and to focus on Membership March (Click here to learn more about Sound Experience Memberships).

We'll be back with some great Dock Talks about plastics in the Salish Sea and how to weigh a schooner in April! And if you haven't already, be sure to check out the February and January tabs for Dock Talks that have already been posted this year.
Monthly Guiding Themes - Citizen/Community Science & Earth Day

Plastic Pollution in the Salish Sea

Julie Masura, Associate Teaching Professor and Research Scientist at the University of Washington Tacoma
Recording posted - Prerecorded Dock Talk originally posted April 24th

Learn about the partnership with Sound Experience and University of Washington Tacoma on education of plastic pollution in the Salish Sea to celebrate Earth Day and Citizen Science Month! Julie Masura is an associate teaching professor and research scientist at the University of Washington Tacoma. As a member of the Environmental Science Faculty, she teaches a number of earth and physical science courses. Julie has the honor to mentor undergraduate students in research as they complete their degree. This is the connection with her microplastics research. While working with a cadre of students, Masura has developed laboratory and field methods to collect microplastics, monitored microplastic abundances in Puget Sound, detected polymer fibers in the Puyallup River Watershed, and advised many research groups throughout the world. She partners with a number of education groups, to include Sound Experience to help with understanding the extent and amount of plastic pollution in the Salish Sea.


Dock Talks are taking a break in May to help the staff and crew to launch the start of the sailing season!

We'll be back with some great Dock Talks in June! And if you haven't already, be sure to check out the April, February and January tabs for Dock Talks that have already been posted this year.
Monthly Guiding Themes - LGBTQ Pride Month & Orca Month

Planting Trees for Orcas

Whitney Neugebauer, Founder and Director of Whale Scout
Recording posted - Prerecorded Dock Talk originally posted June 12th

Endangered killer whales captivate the hearts of followers around the world. Their intimate social bonds, stories, and charismatic behaviors connect and draw us into their world. The fragile population status of Southern Resident killer whales has gained much attention over the years however many solutions are often simpler than we might think. Learn how planting trees around the Salish Sea will help save the orcas and the critical salmon populations that sustain all of us.

Whitney Neugebauer is the Founder and Director of Whale Scout, a nonprofit organization based in Bothell, Washington. She received her master's degree in Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington. She also serves on the Bothell Parks Board, the board of Heartwood Nature Programs, and Friends of North Creek Forest.

➡️ To get involved and learn more about Whale Scout at their website.

➡️ Explore more Orca Action Month events and activities at their website.

Saturday Seminar: Weather - Why is it winter?

Katelinn Shaw, Adventuress Captain
In-person presentation will be part of the November 20th Winter Work Weekend. Recorded presentation may be posted in the following weeks.

We know the Northern Hemisphere points away from the sun in winter, but what else makes it cold? This Saturday we'll talk about why it's winter, what is happening in the Earth's atmosphere and why it's time to erect a cover over the Adventuress!

Tips and Tricks for Efficient, Professional Varnishing

Joni Blanchard, Owner of Leatherwood Finishing Company
In-person presentation will be part of the December 11th Winter Work Weekend at 11am. A recorded version of the presentation may be posted afterwards.

Varnishing is like so many things: it's easy to do a mediocre job, but to do it well takes skill and attentiveness. So how's your savvy with a brush? Join us while Joni Blanchard shares her expert tips and tricks for efficient, professional varnishing as part of our Dock Talks Speaker Series.

Click here to sign up for our Winter Work Weekends in Port Townsend!

Are you interested in presenting or sponsoring a Virtual Dock Talk? Email Jenny for more information.