How You Can Help

Help us get to Dry Dock

In order to keep steaming with US Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping certifications, inspection and repairs once every 5 years are required of the O’Brien.

Well over $1 million will be needed to take the ship to drydock, but this is the only way to keep the ship sailing.

We’ve already raised $600k with your help... but we still need:

  • $270K - Preparation, blasting, painting and coating of tanks, hulls, masts, forward and aft peaks.
  • $230K - Repairs to piping, propeller, sea chests, sea valves, rudder, tail shaft, anchor chain, zincs.
  • $70K - Tug assist to and out of dry dock, vessel inspections throughout duration of dry dock, safety checks, dockage fees.

It is a tremendous task, and we ask the friends of the ship—members of the National Liberty Ship Memorial, people who have sailed with us on voyages around San Francisco Bay, and people who are interested in World War II and the Merchant Marine, to give us a hand. Help us financially with our routine maintenance and our next drydock.

You can help support the O'Brien by donating directly online through Network For Good

You can also download and send in Download the donation form

Become a Member

The O'Brien relies on the generosity of people like you to keep her afloat. An annual gift of $50 or more grants you membership in The National Liberty Ship Memorial. All memberships include free admission to the ship for dockside tours and a subscription to the newsletter Steady As She Goes.

Levels and Benefits

Student $35 One year free admission for currently enrolled high school or university students. ID proof may be required.
Individual $50 One year free admission for one individual

20% discount in the Ship's Store
Family $100
Chief Engineer 		One year free admission for one family/group: two adults and two children.

20% discount at the Ship's Store
Sponsor $250
Officer 		One year free admission for one family/group: Up to a maximum group of 4 per visit. Cardholder must be present

20% discount at the Ship's Store
Corporate $500
Captain 		One year free admission for one family/group: Up to a maximum group of 6 per visit. Cardholder must be present

10% off for any additional guests

20% discount at the Ship's Store
Admiral $1,000 One year free admission for one family/group: Up to a maximum group of 10 per visit. Cardholder must be present.

10% off for any additional guests.

20% discount at the Ship's Store

One complimentary ticket for the 2016 Sunday Fleet Week Cruise

Join the Crew!

Volunteer Keeping the S.S. JEREMIAH O'BRIEN running is about as labor intensive as anyone can imagine. It requires experienced maritime officers and ordinary sailors, deck hands and cooks, machinists and medics, and just about any job you would expect to find on any ship. This is, after all, a running ship capable of carrying passengers.

Download and return the SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN Volunteer Application

The Departments of the O'Brien

Deck

Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the cargo gear, maintenance of the ship's structures, ship handling while underway and general seamanship. If you have experience or a desire and talent for learning this, we need you. The ship has a training program for volunteers seeking to become able-bodied seamen.

Docent

Responsible for manning the ticket booth and assisting visitors while maintaining a watch for pier-side safety. Aboard the ship, docents guide visitors and groups on tours, assist with crowd control, watch for and modify inappropriate and unsafe visitor behavior and provide general safety and security to the ship. They also provide detailed explanations of the history and use of Liberty ships and information about cruises and upcoming events on the ship. Docents are needed every hour of every day that the ship is open to the public.

Engine

Maritime experience, marine engine experience and licenses, STCW qualifications or possess mechanical, machinery or plumbing skills that the ship needs. But talk to us, whatever your experience. The ship has a training program by which candidates may qualify for a license limited to the SS Jeremiah O'Brien.

Gunnery

Members of this department maintain the guns and gun mounts aboard the ship. Members of this department do work aboard the ship on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Office

The office of the National Liberty Ship Memorial provides the administrative support for the O'Brien. Clerical and computer skills are needed here as well as the ability to deal with the public in a professional manner. Prior experience working with volunteer organizations, non-profits and fund-raising is a plus. During the ship's cruises some members of the office assist with some on-board duties.

Steward

Stewards prepare the meals for members of the crew and serves the continental breakfast during cruises. Also, this department is responsible for the cleanliness of dining areas and toilet facilities.

Store

Members of the ship's store sell, stock and take mail orders for merchandise of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien's ship store.