In response to the maritime sector facing a workforce shift, Quantum Marine Stabilizers will host its 2026 Spin-A-Thon on Saturday, March 21. The fundraising event will unite the industry toward building the next generation of maritime talent, focusing on recruitment into yachting, shipyard trade training and crew training.
Held at its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, registration opens at 9am, spinning happens from 10am to 5pm, with party, awards, and auction from 5 to 7pm. Sponsors can organize a team to ride for six hours. Individual rider spots are available for those wanting to participate, and supporters who cannot attend in person can make one-time donations to fund scholarships and training access.
Industry research projects that the percentage of retirement-eligible staff will increase from 24 percent to 43 percent by 2029, and projects are taking 20 to 30 percent longer to complete compared to five years ago because of the lack of qualified skilled labor — with 54 to 80 percent of shipbuilding companies reporting significant skills gaps.
By partnering with Captain Sandy’s Charities, the Spin-A-Thon will connect young people and career explorers with opportunities in the maritime sector. The non-profit founded by Captain Sandy Yawn developed programs to bring awareness to marine careers to K-12 students and helps fund credentials and courses through scholarships and partnerships.
“We talk a lot about the crew and trade shortage,” Yawn says. “This is where we do something about it — by funding scholarships, courses, and real pathways into yachting and the wider maritime world.”
For more information, visit: quantumstabilizers.com/news/the-quantum-spin-a-thon