Welcome to the Gulf Coast Maritime Museum
Our mission is to inspire, create awareness, and provide resources to our visitors, members,
and supporters who share a common interest in the Gulf Coast’s maritime legacy.
Welcome to the Gulf Coast Maritime Museum
Our mission is to inspire, create awareness, and provide resources to our visitors, members, and supporters who share a common interest in the Gulf Coast’s maritime legacy.
Our Maritime Focus
The Gulf Coast Maritime Museum creates awareness that educates, inspires and preserves Florida’s rich Gulf Coast maritime heritage.
How We Fulfill Our Mission
Education
We develop media including stories, videos, illustrations and oral histories for our members and partners.
Collaboration
We collaborate with a network of maritime-focused non-profits and museums along the Florida Gulf Coast.
Preservation
We work to preserve classic boats, designs, models, and historic maritime documents for all to enjoy.
Featured Story:
The Pioneer Boat Builder
At the turn of the 20th century, Gulf Coast Pioneer and Maine native Frank Guptill built many vessels in his Sarasota workshop. His legacy lives on today in one of Florida’s oldest boatyards.
Nautical News, Tidbits and Tales
Our blog includes interesting maritime information from the Florida Gulf Coast.
Piney Point Update
Last month we reported that Manatee County Commissioners put Piney Point clean-up plans on hold out of concern over who was going to pay for it.
19
Jul
Jul
GPS Navigation Under Attack
New research and field data reveals an alarming increase in deliberate GPS interference.
16
Jul
Jul
Catalina Still Afloat
SailingScuttlebutt.com is reporting Florida based C&T Composites has acquired the rights to the Catalina and North Yachts brands.
13
Jul
Jul
Record Sargassum Forecast
University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory biologists are predicting record breaking Sargassum levels for the Atlantic
13
Jul
Jul
West Marine Files for Chapter 11
Florida based West Marine has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
22
Jun
Jun
Longboat Key Canal Dredging Vote
The Longboat Key Town Commission is scheduled to hold the second reading, public hearing, and final vote on the funding assessment ordinances for the Longboat Key Canal dredging program.
19
Jun
Jun
Safe Seas Act Passed
The Florida Safe Seas Act becomes law. It prohibits shark feeding in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the State of Florida.
17
Jun
Jun
Hurricane Season Begins
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center anticipates a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year.
14
Jun
Jun
Curated Calendar of Events
Featuring relevant, interesting, and educational events of all types hosted by Gulf Coast Maritime Museum and our partners.
august, 2026
“Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth, whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul…
I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.”
– Herman Melville, Moby Dick
Support the GCMM!
The Gulf Coast Maritime Museum welcomes partnerships with maritime and historical organizations and gratefully accepts donations from corporate and individual sponsors. We also welcome resources, archive materials, and help from interested volunteers.
Will you help us continue our important work?
Don’t Miss A Story!
The Gulf Coast has a rich maritime history beginning with the Spanish arrival in the early 16th Century and it continues today, 500 year later.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and you’ll never miss an interesting story about the many cultures, people, commerce, and ships that have plied the Gulf.
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