Meet Captain Justin Schaefer and Jocelyn Schmidt of the Schooner J. & E. Riggin
At the helm of the historic SCHOONER J. & E. RIGGIN are Captain Justin Schaefer and Jocelyn Schmidt, partners in both life and adventure. With a deep love for Maine, an appreciation for hard work, and a belief in the power of community, they bring an authenticity to the RIGGIN that keeps guests returning year after year.
Justin grew up sailing on Great South Bay, NY, and first sailed on a Maine Windjammer at age 12—on none other than the RIGGIN itself. He returned summer after summer, evolving from guest to apprentice, deckhand, first mate, and now captain. Jocelyn’s maritime journey began during a college program at sea, leading her to work on several boats, including the VICTORY CHIMES.
They knew early on that if they wanted to captain a windjammer, they’d need to own one. And the RIGGIN, where Justin got his start and where they first met, was the only one that felt like home. “She was such a part of our story,” Jocelyn says, “it felt like fate that we would help write the next chapter of hers.”
To make the dream a reality, they stepped away from the water for a time—Jocelyn to Miami and Justin to New York—seeking financial stability to support their vision. Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship, they stayed the course, planning their wedding remotely and even buying a house sight unseen. Eventually, they returned to Maine and to windjamming. They bought the RIGGIN in 2021.
Jocelyn is now the cook on board but her path to the galley was unexpected. “It’s not a fairytale story of a lifelong dream,” she says. “It’s about being thrust into something and falling in love with it slowly.” That curiosity blossomed during her first season watching the chef and sous chef onboard. “I started asking myself—how much can I make at home? Can I make ketchup? Bread? The more I cooked from scratch, the more I wanted to grow my own ingredients. The more I grew, the more confident I felt that what I was eating was fresh.”
Today, Jocelyn’s cooking philosophy is rooted in intention. She tends five raised beds, five barrel planters, an herb garden, and two beehives. Between that and their farm share, she rarely buys produce with an unknown origin. “It doesn’t save us time or money,” she laughs, “but it’s an important part of how I feed the people I care about.”
Food aboard the Riggin is more than nourishment—it’s storytelling. Whether it’s a dish inspired by their travels or their homemade bagels (a now-beloved breakfast tradition), every meal creates connection. “By the end of a cruise, guests feel like family,” Jocelyn says. “That final breakfast with bagels and lox—it’s not just food, it’s a symbol of closeness.”
For Justin, the magic of windjamming lies in its ability to unite. “We take 24 strangers from all walks of life, and in a few days, they become lifelong friends. That’s the power of this boat,” he says. “No matter how divided the world feels, on board, everyone is family.”
Each person who steps aboard leaves a mark. And so, nearly 100 years after her launch, the J. & E. RIGGIN continues to carry not just history in her hull, but love, laughter, and the spirit of adventure that Justin and Jocelyn have poured into every sail.
Category: Meet captains and crew
