Puget Sound Maritime
Puget Sound Maritime (PSM) is a special nonprofit organization—not least because Best4Boats editorial director Norris Comer is the editor of their excellent journal The Sea Chest.
Originally founded as the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society in 1948, the society is devoted to the core missions of promoting heritage, education, research, and outreach with regards to maritime history and culture. To this end, PSM has partnered with Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) since 1953 to steward a priceless collection of marine artifacts. Some are on display within MOHAI, others in traveling partnering exhibits. The society has been a touchstone force of maritime industry and culture, reaching even beyond Puget Sound waters to Oregon and Alaska. Their collections and research have been vital to historians, universities, and more around the world.
What’s more, the society merged with the longstanding annual Youth Maritime Training Association (YMTA) scholarship program. YMTA judges award thousands of dollars to high school seniors pursuing higher education in careers aquatic, be it as vessel captains, naval architects, or marine scientists. In 2024 for example, $27,000 were awarded to six promising recipients.
Most importantly, PSM is about bringing humans aquatic together. The organization regularly holds in-person events with maritime notables as keynote speakers. The Sea Chest serves as a publication of record for topics ranging from infamous shipwrecks to notable sea salty artists.
Best4Boats is proud to consider PSM a 4Friend. Learn more about the society, the YMTA scholarship, and The Sea Chest at their website. Who knows? Membership may be in your future.
