The Western Flyer Comeback Story: Raising Spirits Since 1940

In 1940, author John Steinbeck and his best friend, marine biologist Ed Ricketts, set out aboard the Western Flyer on a beer-fueled research trip that became The Log from the Sea of Cortez—a journey that’s inspired generations of scientists, conservationists, and ocean lovers.

Eighty-five years later, the Western Flyer is back—fully restored and relaunched as a floating classroom and community hub for scientists, students, fishers, artists, and dreamers.

On September 25, join us as Sherry Flumerfelt, Executive Director of the Western Flyer Foundation, shares how this storied vessel is once again sparking curiosity, connecting people to the ocean, and standing as a powerful symbol of resilience.

Sherry has spent 25+ years turning big ocean ideas into real-world wins for coastal communities. She’s led the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, worked with the Coral Reef Alliance and Environmental Defense Fund, and advanced ocean sustainability from California to the South Pacific. Now, she’s blending science, art, and storytelling aboard one of the most iconic ships in marine history.

“The ocean needs many diverse voices, and the Western Flyer is a place where they can come together—inviting curiosity that’s the first step toward true stewardship."
           —Sherry Flumerfelt

Come raise a glass to the Western Flyer’s comeback—and to the ocean’s own comeback story we’re all here to help write.

www.oceanhoptimism.org