03/01/07

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is delighted to announce that Lauren Morgens has accepted the position as Interim Captain of the Kalmar Nyckel beginning April 2, 2007! Sharon Litcofsky will be promoted to Chief Mate and Corey Young to Second Mate beginning April 1, 2007. “These are three of the most intelligent, focused, driven women I have ever had the pleasure to work with,” Executive Director Marcia Ferranto said. “Not only will they be representing the state of Delaware both within and beyond our borders, they will be concentrating their efforts on providing a quality experience for our volunteers and our visitors.”Capt. Morgens first sailed with the Kalmar Nyckel as Chief Mate in 2004, and served as relief captain and then acting captain at the end of last year when the late Capt. David W. Hiott IV was hospitalized. She has sailed off both the East and West Coasts and Hawaii and rounded Cape Horn on the Dutch bark Europa. “In becoming Captain of our ship, I have the support and encouragement of one of the best crews I’ve ever worked with,” she said. “The ship’s officers who will be working with me this year, Sharon Litcofsky and Corey Young, are highly qualified professionals. I’ve worked with both of them before and have been continually impressed by the constructive and imaginative way they face new challenges.”Litcofsky has been with the Foundation since 2000, serving as the ship’s boatswain (pronounced bosun), responsible for its maintenance and coordinating the volunteer crew. She has earned a 200-ton inland master license with auxiliary sail endorsement and sailed with Capt. Morgens to complete last sailing season. “As Chief Mate, I am honored to be in a position where I can carry on the work Capt. Hiott has done on the Kalmar Nyckel for the past nine years.” Young worked this past winter as maintenance crew for the Kalmar Nyckel. She has earned a 100-ton inland master license and a 200-ton inland mate license with auxiliary sail endorsement. Young sailed under Capt. Morgens and Litcofsky last year as volunteer crew and previously worked on the Lady Washington off the West Coast.Herb Conner, president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, was enthusiastic about the new officers: “A key part of operating a tall ship is having experienced officers. This team of officers helped us overcome difficulties to finish our 2006 season in good order, and we look forward to their leading us in to our busy 2007 season.” This team of officers allows the Foundation to conduct a thoughtful, organized search for a permanent captain. A search committee of board members, maritime experts and community members is being formed.

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