SEA STAR BASE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

By Trishna Buch
Have any of your children, grandchildren or some young
person you know ever expressed an interest in the maritime
world? Have you ever wanted to develop a young
person’s interest in the maritime world? If yes, you’ve
come to the right place, because I am going to tell you all
about the amazing Sea Star Base!
Located at 7509 Broadway in Galveston, the Sea Star
Base aims to provide meaningful maritime experience to
people of all ages. Classes and programs offered work
to provide all visitors to the base with a knowledge and
appreciation of the sea, sailing and everything that goes
along with it; that they may not have had before.
But the base is not only about providing exciting and
enriching experiences at sea. It also takes a keen interest
in the education of students of all ages, through
the many opportunities it provides. First of all, the base
provides young scouts with an opportunity to earn their
merit badges through their Scouting program. With this
program, the scouts “develop their maritime and aquatic
skills, earn conservation and aquatic badges, work on
rank advancements and complete STEM awards.” And
adult Scouters, fear not! Because the base all host trainings
for you all throughout the year.
Along with the scouting opportunities, the base also offers
educational opportunities. “We try to educate young
people about maritime, citizenry and the environment,”
Tino Gonzalez, SSB executive director, told me. Students
are given the opportunity to experience several hands-on
activities through the available education programs at the
base—Texas Boaters Education, Birding & Photography
Kayak Trek and All Hands On Deck Program. Through
these programs, the students learn nautical terminology,
have opportunities to identify beaches and wetlands of
the bayou, and have an opportunity to shadow a member
of the BaySmart express crew. Along with this, through
the three educational classes, the students have opportunities
to familiarize themselves with the ship, learn about
its parts, maneuver the vessels, navigate local channels
and more. “We also have a ship which has been turned
into a classroom, so that the students have real-world,
practical, experience,” Gonzalez said.
The base, which is a lead certified and platinum building,
also offers interested individuals the chance to hold
private events, corporate retreats and weddings on location.
A large conference room, a large banquet hall, an
outdoor chapel, ample outdoor space and more will all
help make your event the best of the best. Sea Star Base
is also completely green. It recycles and irrigates with rain
water, it is the largest adaptive sailing facility and it was
ranked number one in the country by U.S. sailing. Furthermore,
the base has several community sailing events,
such as Schooner Sundays, Adaptive Sailing and Youth
Sailing. And the base is also open for schools to bring
their students on field trips, to help them gain an enriching
knowledge of the maritime world. Information about all of
the base’s programs and events as well as membership
opportunities can be found on its website at www.ssbgalveston.
org/.
Tino Gonzalez has been the executive director of Sea
Star Base for a year, and has been working there for three
years. I had the chance to speak to him earlier this week
and learn all about the Sea Star Base. As executive director,
Gonzalez’s role is to oversee all the day to day
operations that take place at the base. Born and raised in
Galveston, Gonzalez worked in HR for UT Medical for 24
years, followed by stints in the Galveston Children’s Center
and Moody National Bank, before joining the base. He
earned a degree in pre-pharmacy from Galveston College
and told me that he sees his medical background as an
advantage to the maritime world because “if we are at sea
and someone needs medical attention, I can provide it.”
As we spoke, Gonzalez was singing the praise of this
amazing organization, telling me excitedly about its programs,
events and passion for a child’s education. “Our
classes not only teach students about topics like ecology,
sailing, and environmental issues as well as providing lessons
in responsibility and cooperation. Most importantly,
they help develop lifelong friendships,” Gonzalez said.
“We also want the community to know that we exist for
them and that everyone is welcome to the base.” He also
told me about the base’s Carols & Cocoa Cruise which
takes place from December 20th to December 23rd. On
each day, guests will be able to take a two-hour cruise
and enjoy some hot cocoa while singing Christmas carols.
Take a look at the SSB website for more information.
Gonzalez was full of praise for Galveston County and
the people who reside within it. “The county is the best in
the world. There is a bit of everything for everyone in it,
and there is so much talent and so many amazing people
who reside there. Volunteer opportunities are open to all
ages, and we always tailor the work based on age and
experience.” To learn about volunteering, go to www.ssbgalveston.
org/volunteer or call 409-572-2560 for more
information.
There is so much to do and learn at the Sea Star
Base, so visit their website and then make your way to
Galveston as soon as possible!