This foundation was established in Autumn 2000.

The main reason for establishing such foundation was financing HETMAN - a yacht which is still known as Polish both sailing history and tradition. HETMAN was built in Abeking & Rasmusen shipyard in Lemwerder in Germany and has been sailing under Polish flag since 1936.

Jędrzej Czajkowski - The Admiral of Polish Navy was the founder of the foundation. Thanks to his decision, in 1996, Hetman was rebuilt. Until now it has been standing at the quay for last four years. Thanks to him this yacht still exists. The founder who established the foundation was Zdzisław Derlicki, a sailor being Hetman's crew. Captain Waldemar Waszczyk took under his wings foundation's registration and organizing the way it works. Polish Navy Education Center and Yacht's owner support and take active role in educating youths at sea. Working with the young people and educating them is and has always been the main goal to achieve. They have always been the priority in foundation's aims. The foundation covers all expenses related with yacht's costs and which are necessary to keep Hetman ready to sail safely in all weather conditions and in all basins. It also supplements lifesaving and navigational, sailing gear, electronic equipment and also general sailing equipment.

"HETMAN" offers its services to young sailors whose abilities and skills are quickly verified by hard rules of the sea. Just like rock climbing or other extreme sports, sea - sailing is not for everyone. Our foundation concentrates its activity on serving young people offering them sea yachts' decks. Captains, all the staff in Polish Navy and professional sailors show young crews the ropes, train them both on land and sea. They guarantee passing knowledge and all beautiful sea traditions onto young generations. S/Y Hetman is the most appropriate place for young, healthy and sporty people who are determined in gaining marine knowledge and experience.

Sea sailing is an expensive sport but our foundation's main aim is to make it more available to not necessarily wealthy youths. It also gives opportunity to young people of all backgrounds. Our foundation, being the organizer of sea sailing, subsidized young sailors' participation in the international sailing events like: "The Cutty Sark Tall Ships" Race 2002; "The Cutty Sark Tall Ships" Race 2003"; "Tall Ships" Race 2005' and sailing ships rally "Sail Bremenhaven 2005".

Foundation HETMAN seeks sponsors among sailors and those who sympathize with sailing to carry on with its statutory aims. It is a non-profit organization and its work and activity is based on social work of members of the board and foundation's.

Waldemar Waszczyk

The Chairmen of Hetman Maritime Foundation