Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI)

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) serves to empower youth to discover their greater potential through extraordinary at-sea experiences aboard educational sailing vessels built to train and equip young people with 21st century leadership skills, and inspire maritime and STEM career paths.

Volunteer Crew

• Weekly, Monthly
• Teens, 55+, Adults
• Individuals
• Indoor, Outdoor
• Formal, Skilled
• Weekdays, Weekends

Office Volunteer

• Occasional
• Teens, 55+, Adults
• Individuals
• Office work, Indoor
• On-site
• Weekdays

Our traditional sailing vessels are charged with giving tens of thousands of young people the opportunity to experience self-discovery, life changing adventure and education found only on a tall ship at sea. Our 110 foot brigantines SSV Exy Johnson and SSV Irving Johnson were designated the “Official Tall Ships and Maritime Ambassadors of the City of Los Angeles” at their launch in 2002, and operate from our dock in San Pedro. The 130 foot three masted schooner S/V American Pride is the official tall ship of the City of Long Beach and is based at the Pine Avenue Pier in Rainbow Harbor. The 92 foot topsail schooner S/V Swift of Ipswich will serve the community of Wilmington upon completion of her current restoration. The TopSail Youth Program introduces under-served and economically disadvantaged youth to a world beyond their communities where they are provided with real-life challenges not available in the traditional classroom.