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.
Captain Fight Shellfish Poaching
The Anna Maria Islander reports a successful coordinated effort between a coalition of Sarasota Bay charter captains and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
29
Aug
Aug
Solo Arctic Circumnavigation
If completed, this will be the first solo circumnavigation of the Arctic Ocean ever. According to the NPR report, the skippers growing concern as fall approaches; Icebergs.
27
Aug
Aug
Grady White Stays Afloat
Instead of selling the company for over $400 million, 83-year-old owner Eddie Smith Jr. transferred ownership to a perpetual purpose trust and a nonprofit.
22
Aug
Aug
New Tampa Cruise Terminal
Site preparation has begun on Port Tampa Bay’s first new cruise terminal in more than 25 years.
19
Aug
Aug
Old Growth Mangroves Threatened
A partially completed residential development in Manatee County called Aqua is seeking permission from the US Army Corps of Engineers to discharge fill material into wetland systems along Sarasota Bay.
19
Aug
Aug
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
Curated Calendar of Events
Featuring relevant, interesting, and educational events of all types hosted by Gulf Coast Maritime Museum and our partners.
september, 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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