Tiffany Krihwan is the Captain of the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey.  Krihwan joins the Massachusetts Maritime Academy staff from Discovery World in Milwaukee where she was Director of Marine Operations since 2014 and Senior Captain of the Denis Sullivan, a 19th-century Great Lakes schooner, since 2008. An Erie, Pa., native, Krihwan took up sailing FJs at the age of 10 at the Erie Yacht Club. She began sailing tall ships in 1997 when she was appointed Chief Mate of the Appledore IV. Other leadership positions include Captain of the Boston-based schooner Roseway, Chief Mate of the Pride of Baltimore II, Relief Captain of the Los Angeles-based brigantine Exy Johnson and Captain of the tall ship Unicorn. 
Drawn to the position at Mass Maritime by SSV Ernestina-Morrissey's history and pedigree, Krihwan will be guiding the ship and her crew on the waters off Cape Cod. “I’ve sailed on a few Grand Banks Fishing Schooners, the Lettie G. Howard and Roseway, over the years and love the way they sail so effortlessly. They are amazing sailing vessels,” she said.

With the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey, Krihwan is eager to start a sail training program from the ground up and help integrate a tall ship into Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s curriculum. “This is such a special opportunity not only for me, but for the cadets,” she said. “Working with these historic vessels helps individuals become far better sailors. You really need to observe the fundamental principles of sailing.” 

She also will have an important role in teaching the cadets at the Academy and mentoring them to become leaders. According to Krihwan, her leadership style is to lead by example and believes a captain is only as good as her crew. Her hope is to not only share her love of tall ships with the cadets but also pass along skills that are important on sea and land. “We’re adding a proven leader to our ranks, and I’m looking forward to seeing Captain Krihwan at the helm of the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We’re excited to have a captain of Tiffany’s sailing experience, leadership skills and passion for our program aboard.” 

“One of my favorite aspects of sailing a tall ship is seeing the crew and students personally grow from the experience and witness their confidence in themselves develop during their time aboard the ship,” Krihwan explained. “My hope is that they take the experience with them and apply the skills and attributes learned at sea to their shore life.”