THROGGS NECK, NY – The Maritime College sailing team has announced its coaching staff for the 2023-24 season.  Tara Foster has been named the program's new head coach, and Henry Millette will serve as her assistant.

Foster has more than a decade of experience in the sport as a coach, instructor and executive director.  She comes to Maritime after stints at the Toms River Yacht Club (2021-22), Eastern Yacht Club (2019-21), Venice Youth Boating Association (2015-19), Edison Sailing Center (2016) and Hoover Sailing Club (2012-15).  Foster is also a US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor Trainer.  Her other certifications include US Sailing Level 3 Certified Small Boat Coach, US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Instructor, and US Powerboating Safety and Rescue Boat Handling Instructor.

A graduate of Denison University, Foster held leadership positions of Commodore, Captain and Vice Commodore during her four years on the sailing team.  She has been a speaker on SafeSport at the 2019 US Sailing National Sailing Program Symposium and 2021 US Sailing Stakeholder Summit.  Foster is a US Sailing Level 3 Head Instructor and served on the Small Boat Sailing National Faculty.

"I'm excited to step into this role and have the opportunity to contribute to Maritime's strong history of sailing, sportsmanship and commitment to excellence both on the water and in the classroom," she said.

Millette joins the Privateers after 12 years as a successful club and high school coach.  He was the head varsity coach at Greenwich High School from 2019-21, winning the 2021 state championship in girls' fleet racing.  Millette then built a brand-new program at Greenwich Country Day School, serving as its inaugural head coach from 2021-23.

At the club level, his teams have posted numerous regatta wins during his time as Head Coach & Sailing Director at Indian Harbor Yacht Club (2018-23), School Year Sailing Director & Interim Executive Director at Venice Youth Boating Association (2020-22), Senior Race Coach at the New York Athletic Club (2016-18) and Head Instructor at The Boatshed at Albert Park (2017-18 in Melbourne, Australia).  The 2015 Boston College graduate also continues to sail competitively, mainly in team racing.

Maritime begins the fall campaign at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Sept. 9.  The Privateers have at least one regatta on the schedule every weekend until the War Memorial, the dinghy conference championship, on Oct. 28-29.  The offshore team concludes its fall season with the Kennedy Cup on Nov. 4-5.