SailAhead To Take 100+ Veterans Sailing On Long Island Sound

CENTERPORT, NY — More than 100 veterans, mostly from Long Island, will participate in SailAhead's eighth annual "Take a Veteran Sailing" on Sunday as guest crew members on a fleet of 25 volunteer sailboats, according to a news release.

Founded in 2015 by Long Islander teenagers, Kilian and Sean Duclay, SailAhead uses sailing and the ocean as a therapeutic platform to help heal veterans who suffer from PTSD, raise awareness of PTSD and veteran suicide, as well as honor those who have died by suicide.

The day's activities are scheduled to begin at noon at Centerport Yacht Club with the opening ceremony hosted by the club's fleet captain, Tim Ebert. The veterans will then each be assigned to the all-volunteer fleet of boats for an afternoon sail.

Volunteer cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will assist the veterans in learning some basic sailing skills. The fleet will be accompanied by escort vessels from the U. S. Coast Guard Eaton's Neck Station, Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau and the Huntington and Northport Harbor Police. Two helicopters will be overhead to provide video coverage.

After sailing for a few hours on the Long Island Sound, the boats will return to shore for a barbecue, courtesy of the Centerport Yacht Club, Arizona Beverages and Ralph's Italian Ices. Music will be provided by the Society Road band with Sheila Fitzpatrick on vocals.

SailAhead co-founder Sean Duclay said the organization's goal is three-fold.

"Spread PTSD and veteran suicide awareness, honor our mates, and foster community connection between the sailing and military worlds," Sean said via news release.

This year’s event again will honor SPC Ryan James Day, an Army Ranger from the 2nd Battalion, 75th Army Regiment, along with all their mates. Ryan died by suicide at the age of 21, on Dec. 15, 2014.

Kilian and Sean Duclay were 16 and 14 year-old teenagers when they founded SailAhead.