The Charles F. Chapman School of Seamanship, Inc. was founded in 1971 by the late Glen D. Castle and the late Charles Frederic Chapman and incorporated in Florida in 1972.  Castle, an experienced mariner, and Chapman, the veteran boating editor of Motor Boating & Sailing and author of the best selling Chapman Piloting & Seamanship, made an interesting combination.

Because of their love for the sea and concern for the lack of maritime vocational training other than from four year institutions, they joined together to found the not-for-profit institution to which Chapman gave his name.       

 

Classes began at the School on board a 93 ft. former Canadian Coast Guard cutter gifted by Canadian monks. From its humble beginnings, the School grew from one vessel/classroom to a 9-acre campus. Enrollment went from 3 students to as many as 1,100 a year and to a training fleet up to an average of 30 vessels. After weathering some stormy seas early on, the School is now recognized as a world renowned maritime institution.

 

Charles Chapman's influence in the yachting community combined with Glen Castle's experience as a yacht captain opened doors to careers in the marine industry and enjoyable boating for well trained men and women. Following Captain Castle's death in 1983, his widow, Jennifer, steadied the helm by providing determination, business sense and building a talented, dedicated crew to successfully guide the School into its fourth decade of operation.