DBMS Mission

Our mission is to connect people of all ages, abilities and means to Duxbury Bay through educational and recreational programs that stimulate individual growth and an enduring love and appreciation of the sea.

Our Facilities When DBMS was founded, the 2.5 acre parcel was the only remaining waterfront property in Duxbury available for broad access to the Bay. Since then there has been substantial progress towards providing the facilities needed to achieve the school’s vision. Thanks to the generosity of the Ellison Foundation and many others, the DBMS campus was acquired and named in honor of William P. Ellison. The school has purchased 20 floats, three launches, a fleet of over 100 sailboats and 20 instructor boats. In 2000, DBMS replaced its aging and dilapidated bulkheads and constructed a new boat basin and launching ramp along the southerly edge of the campus. The school has also acquired the properties on either side of the access road from Washington Street. In July 2003, the campus was enhanced by the demolition of two old structures and completion of a new residential building, and construction of a state of the art storm water management system. DBMS has embarked on a 5 million dollar capital campaign in 2006 to complete our master plan. In addition to securing the DBMS Fund for the Future, a new facility will be built on the DBMS campus to house accessible classrooms, administrative offices, work out area for rowers, changing areas, and storage facilities.

The Duxbury Bay Maritime School, located at the William P. Ellison campus, was incorporated as a non-profit school in 1997 and now serves over 1600 students annually. The principal factor that led to the school's founding was the recognition that the Duxbury community lacked an adequate connection to its primary resource, Duxbury Bay. Programs started in the summer of 1998 with a large junior sailing program and sailing for about 50 adults. These efforts proved so successful that US Sailing presented DBMS with its "Outstanding New Program" award.

Our Programs: Existing on the water programs now include sailing and racing programs for children and adults; ACCESSAIL for children and adults with physical and cognitive limitations; recreational and competitive rowing for juniors and adults; and Maritime Adventures, which exposes 60 underprivileged campers from Crossroads for Kids to sailing, fishing, kayaking, windsurfing and shell fishing. In 2000, DBMS sponsored the founding of sailing and rowing clubs at Duxbury High School. DHS Sailing is now a varsity sport that fields one of the best public school teams in the country. The DBMS rowing club is active in both the spring and fall, competing in numerous regattas. In addition, DBMS now hosts three other high school sailing teams. In 2007 DBMS drew students from age 81 to age 3, and the student population represented 24 states and 90 Massachusetts towns.

DBMS also operates a marine ecology program for first and second graders, a "Big Fish Little Fish" program that introduces toddlers and their parents to the wonders of the seashore, and a variety of low tide programs for children of all ages.

In addition, DBMS offers "off season" shore school classes. These include boat building, boat maintenance, boating safety for children and adults, coastal piloting and celestial navigation and Women Underway, a program designed to empower female boaters.

Our Staff: DBMS is a 501(c)(3) corporation that is governed by a 18-member Board of Directors. The school's full-time Executive Director, Chuck Leonard, is a lifelong sailor and Duxbury resident.  He has nearly 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner, and brings enthusiasm for the mission of DBMS and a wealth of organizational management experience to his leadership position.  The school's operations are supported by a talented administrative staff with expertise in areas such as program administration and fundraising. The school also employs a full time maintenance staff. During the summer, the sailing and rowing staff includes more than 30 full-time instructors.

Outreach Programs: DBMS is especially proud of two of its outreach programs ACCESSAIL and Maritime Adventures. These programs provide meaningful experiences that improve the confidence and self-esteem of physically and cognitively challenged and under-privileged children.

ACCESSAIL is an educational and recreational sailing program for physically and cognitively disabled children and adults. Students have the opportunity to bond with the natural environment and gain a sense of freedom while having fun. ACCESSAIL also offers the challenges of competition and the chance to be liberated from the confines of a disability. The objective is to serve more handicapped individuals, particularly quadriplegics and veterans and to enable the program to become a training center for the Special Olympics.  In 2006, US Sailing presented ACCESSAIL with its “Outstanding Program for Disabled Sailors” award.

Maritime Adventures is a six-week program for 60 inner-city children attending Camp Wing in Duxbury. This program exposes children to sailing instruction, fishing, rowing, marine ecology, ocean kayaking, and clamming. The goal is to maximize the program and encourage diversity by continuing to offer free tuition. In learning to sail, children must master the wind and the sea. Development of these skills instills a strong sense of self-reliance, builds confidence and self esteem, and fosters the ability to lead.