Kurt D. Voss, a native of Houston, Texas, was eight years old when his grandfather began taking him fishing on old wooden boats in Galveston Bay. Historic vessels have been a key part of his life ever since. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Near Coastal Master’s License for Steam, Motor or Auxiliary Sail Vessels and earned a degree in Historical Studies from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Kurt has an incredible amount of experience working with tall ships from becoming an original stateside volunteer for the Elissa to being a member of the ship’s sailing crew. Kurt worked through the ranks before the director of the Texas Seaport Museum and the Elissa in 1994 holding the post until 2007.

Kurt has also been a consultant for traditional vessels and maritime museums in various roles with countless ship operators seeking out his expertise on these subjects.

Finally, in 2009, Kurt authored the book ‘Galveston’s The ELISSA: The Tall Ship of Texas’. In addition to his experience with museums and traditional sailing vessels, Kurt has helped restore and maintain numerous classic aircrafts.