Sea(cret) Santa (4 Days Left): Sexy Women of Maritime Calendar

Sea(cret) Santa is pleased to report that there is no recession in the North Pole and he and the elves have been busier than a crew of one-armed sailmakers. Unfortunately, his Internet connection has been down for a few days so he’s been unable to post some of his favorite maritime gift suggestions. But here’s one that should make up for the silence.

As CEO of Christmas, Santa uses new and old technology to make things run as smooth as possible. One of his favorite old school tools is the simple printed calendar and this year he’s found one that’s sure to bring a smile to every mariner’s face.  And have no worries, even Mrs. Claus approves of Women of Maritime Calendar put out by Jack Tar Magazine (Rated PG-13). Take it from Sea(cret) Santa, there’s no better way to keep track of your most important dates than having a good old calendar you want to keep coming back to. Here’s who’s inside:

January – Kim Carver of Bill of Rights, Lady Washington, Manitou and others
February – Hilary of Seaward, Corwith Cramer, Robert C. Seamans, Harvey Gamage Spirit of Massachusetts
March – Jen of HMS Bounty, Highlander Sea
April – Alysia of Hawaiian Chieftain, Lady Washington
May – Rosemary of Tole Mour, Mystic Whaler, Exy Johnson and Irving Johnson, Hawaiian Chieftain, Lady Washington
June – Cher of Lady Washington and others
July – Abigail M, works for NOAA, mostly in Alaska
August – Anne Catherine Kruger of Robert C. Seamans, Corwith Cramer, Catalyst
September – Elaine Eno of Lynx, Exy Johnson and Irving Johnson, Lady Washington, Amistad, Hawaiian Chieftain, Californian, Seaward, Bill of Rights, Kaisei
October – Cass of Zodiac, Adventuress, Lady Washington
November – Suzanne, works for fisheries, mostly in Alaska
December – Lia, a fisheries researcher

Since you probably want to learn a little more about the Women of Maritime and Jack Tar, here’s an interview with founder, managing editor and January Woman of Maritime, Captain Kim Carver…

Sea-Fever – Who you are and what you do?

Kim Carver – My name is Kim Carver. I’m a native to Seattle but have lived, traveled and sailed all over the West. I edit and self-publish Jack Tar Magazine in between boat jobs. I have to be working or living on the water to stay sane, but my passion is promoting community amongst mariners.

SF –  Tell us a little about your maritime experience and licenses?

Kim Carver – I carry a 100Ton Inland Master’s license and have  650 days of sea time. This past summer I drove a passenger ferry in Seattle, and I’ve also worked aboard tugboats, traditional sailing vessels, modern sailing yachts, whale watching boats, and fast passenger catamaran ferries. I did a little bit of racing in the BVI and on Lake Michigan.

Sea-Fever – What was the motivation/inspiration behind the calendar?

Kim Carver – In 2003, several of us aboard the brig LADY WASHINGTON toyed with idea of creating a “Ladies of Tall Ships” calendar, with images of girls standing on bow watch or down in their berth and subtitles like “Fine on the starboard bow” and “Nice rack!” Last year, Alice Lee made a free calendar full of several men sailing out east aboard the tall ships, available for download. My final inspiration came from my friend, boatwright, and calendar model Cass, who is also in a local bicycle-girl calendar that apparently makes thousands of dollars. Since my magazine is funded solely by donations and more money is always needed, I thought this would be a great way to support the magazine.

Sea-Fever – What is Jack Tar? Tell me about the name.

Kim Carver – My magazine for by and for sailors, marine craftspeople, merchant mariners and maritime junkies in general. It features sea stories, educational information that you might not be able to find online, interviews with experienced and entertaining mariners, plus pictures and usually an original poem or chanty. Content comes from crew aboard research vessels, tankers, traditional boats, yachts, ferries, icebreakers, sailboats delivering cargo, sailmakers, boatbuilders, and students in boating programs.

Jack Tar is an old British nickname for a man working aboard a sailing ship. People ashore would often refer to fellows whose names they didn’t know as “Jack,” like a bartender saying “Hey there Jack, wanna beer?” The “Tar” part was attached when speaking of sailors specifically, usually in the third person, like “Pour a pint for that jack tar down there.” As with traditional boats today, tar was commonly used and the sailing “Jacks” reeked of it. In fact sailors were often just called “Tars.” I have a not-so-secret agenda of motivating today’s tar-covered traditional boat volunteers into joining the merchant marine, so I include various views of the maritime industry. Every modern vessel captain I have worked with has said that the seamanship skills a true sailor brings to the industry puts them above and beyond the rest. The overall goal is to keep the best parts of traditional maritime culture alive, and to inspire community amongst everyone in the boating community.

Sea-Fever – What’s in the next issue of Jack Tar?

Kim Carver – An ode to a salty friend that died this year, information about a sail making school, an interview with a licensed diesel engineer who works on big ships in the Great Lakes, a piece by a solo sailor on why he goes it alone, and I have room for a few more articles. I’d love to hear ideas or submissions from any aspiring writers who visit your site!

Sea-Fever – Dead or alive, who’s your most respected leader and why?

Kim Carver – I’m a big Shackleton and Lord Nelson fan, but really it’s always been Teddy Roosevelt, for his integrity, his dedication to the environment, and to America and her citizens. Can you imagine any leader today taking a bullet and then going ahead with a scheduled speech while bleeding out of his chest? That man was the truest American, a hero and a legend. I wish there were more men and women with his traits these days.

Sea-Fever – Anything else we should know about you, Jack Tar or anything else?

Kim Carver – I need feedback! People need to read the magazine and tell me what they like or what they want to see more of! Email me at jacktarzine@gmail.com. Check out jacktar.org to see a few things that don’t make it to the printed page and order a sexy Women of Maritime Calendar!

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