The National Liberty Ship Memorial - SS Jeremiah O'Brien

What The National Liberty Ship Memorial - SS Jeremiah O'Brien does

The National Liberty Ship Memorial, Inc. (NLSM) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, the only fully operational, unaltered WWII Liberty Ship remaining in the world. Launched June 19, 1943 at the New England Shipbuilding Corporation in South Portland, Maine, the vessel made seven wartime voyages and eleven D-Day Channel crossings before spending 33 years in the mothball fleet; volunteers led by Rear Admiral Thomas J. Patterson brought her back to active service in 1979, and in 1994 she returned to Normandy for the 50th D-Day anniversary. She is now moored at Pier 35 on San Francisco's Embarcadero, certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and classified by the American Bureau of Shipping, with her original 2,500-horsepower triple-expansion steam engine still operable and demonstrated live during monthly Steaming Weekends.

The organization's core products center on a portfolio of in-person and ancillary visitor experiences: daily self-guided dockside tours open 10am-4pm year-round, signature sailing cruises (Fleet Week Saturday and Sunday, the annual Memorial Cruise, July 4th dockside fireworks), an Overnight Program for school groups and scouts, private event rentals and charter cruises, tiered annual memberships, and an online and onboard Ship's Store. Operational technology is deliberately historic — the 1943 steam engine, original interior layout, and USCG/ABS-certified seaworthiness — supported by a volunteer-driven crew of hundreds under a 1-10 person paid staff led by Executive Director Ken Wright.

The business model is a multi-stream nonprofit revenue mix: walk-in admission tickets ($10-$20), cruise ticket sales ($25-$480 depending on event and tier), annual memberships ($35-$1,000), Ship's Store merchandise ($0.75-$40), overnight program fees, private event rentals (quote-based, up to $25,000+), and tax-deductible donations. The organization explicitly receives no government funding, relying on this diversified base plus volunteer labor to fund preservation, including an upcoming major 2027 shipyard dry-dock period. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer across the Pier 35 ticket booth, online event registration via CiviCRM, a WordPress site with active social channels, and signature-event publicity through partnerships with San Francisco Fleet Week and the Historic Naval Ships Association.

Name

The National Liberty Ship Memorial - SS Jeremiah O'Brien

Legal name

National Liberty Ship Memorial, Inc.

Website

https://ssjeremiahobrien.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Liberty Ship Memorial operates the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, the only fully operational unaltered WWII Liberty Ship in the world, as a San Francisco living museum serving tourists, school groups, private event clients, members, and donors through daily dockside tours, signature sailing cruises, overnight youth programs, rentals, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Heritage Museum

NAICS

Museums (712110), Historical Sites (712120)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty-Themed Boutique Cruises (Culinary, Wellness, Diving, Culture) (THAEADAJ)

Keywords

• Historic ship museum
• Maritime heritage preservation
• WWII Liberty Ship
• Living history museum
• Educational ship tours

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco, CA

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission and Tour Fees: Daily dockside self-guided tours from 10am to 4pm. Tickets purchased at the pier ticket booth on the day of visit. Admission ranges from $10 (Junior 5–12) to $20 (General Admission), with free admission for children under 5, active military in uniform, and NLSM/HNSA members.
2. Special Cruises and Events: Premium sailing events including Fleet Week Cruises (Oct 2026: $175–$195/adult, $105–$125/youth, $420–$480 family), Memorial Day Cruise (47th annual in 2027), and July 4th fireworks viewing ($25–$45). Lunch included on Fleet Week cruises. Revenue from limited-capacity tickets on signature events.
3. Annual Memberships: Annual membership tiers providing free dockside admission plus benefits: Student $35/yr, Individual $50/yr, Family $100/yr, Sponsor $250/yr, Corporate $500/yr, Admiral $1,000/yr. Admiral tier includes one Fleet Week cruise ticket. Recurring annual revenue stream from engaged supporters.
4. Ship's Store (Retail Merchandise): Online and onboard retail store selling books, pins/magnets/patches, clothing, household collectibles, postcards, posters, and toys/models. Items range from $0.75 (small postcards) to $40 (sweatshirts). Merchandise features SS Jeremiah O'Brien branding and WWII maritime themes.
5. Overnight Program Fees: School groups, scout troops, and youth organizations pay for overnight stays aboard the ship (most Fridays and Saturdays). Includes dinner, sleeping quarters, breakfast, tours, and educational programming. Minimum 20-person group size required.
6. Private Event Rentals: The ship is rentable for private events: #2 Tween Deck (2,000 sq ft, 150–200 standing), Forward Deck (ceremonies), Officer's Mess (intimate dining 12–20), and full vessel buyout. Also available for private chartered cruises. Quote-based pricing through inquiry form.
7. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted online and by mail. Stock donations accepted. The organization receives no government funding and relies on donations to fund the upcoming 2027 shipyard dry-dock period. Donation amounts suggested at $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Liberty Ship Memorial operates the SS Jeremiah O'Brien—the only fully operational, unaltered WWII Liberty Ship in the world—as a living museum at Pier 35, San Francisco. Visitor offerings include daily self-guided dockside tours (10am–4pm), signature sailing cruises (Fleet Week, Memorial Day, July 4th fireworks), an overnight educational program for youth groups, private event rentals across multiple ship spaces, and a tiered annual membership program. A Ship's Store sells branded merchandise and historical books, and the organization accepts tax-deductible donations to fund preservation.

Product overview

The National Liberty Ship Memorial operates the SS Jeremiah O'Brien as a living museum and fully operational WWII Liberty Ship. The organization offers a unified portfolio of visitor experiences centered around maritime heritage preservation: daily dockside tours providing access to the historic vessel, special sailing cruises including Fleet Week and Memorial events, an overnight youth education program, private event rentals for gatherings aboard the ship, and a membership program with tiered benefits. A Ship's Store sells branded merchandise and historical items. All offerings support the mission of preserving WWII maritime history and the legacy of Merchant Mariners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jeremiah O'Brien Amateur Radio Club (JOBARC): Amateur radio club that meets monthly aboard the ship, open to members in good standing.

Products and services

• Daily Dockside Tours Self-guided dockside tours of the historic WWII Liberty Ship, open daily from 10am to 4pm year-round. Visitors can explore the entire ship from the engine room to the flying bridge. Admission ranges from $10 (Junior 5–12) to $20 (General), with free admission for children under 5, active military in uniform, and NLSM/HNSA members. Family admission (2 adults + 2 juniors) is $45.
• Special Cruises Signature sailing events on San Francisco Bay aboard the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, including Fleet Week Cruises (October 2026: $105–$195 per person, family up to $480), the 47th annual Memorial Day Cruise (2027), and July 4th Dockside Fireworks Viewing ($25–$45). Lunch and beer/wine are included on Fleet Week cruises. Tickets sold online with early-bird pricing.
• Overnight Program Overnight educational adventure for school groups, scouts, and youth organizations. Participants sleep aboard the WWII Liberty Ship, participate in guided tours, games, and hands-on history activities including a tour of the steam engine used in the Titanic film. Available most Fridays and Saturdays year-round (excluding holidays). 20-person minimum group size. Includes dinner, sleeping quarters, breakfast, tours, and the Convoy board game.
• Event Hosting / Private Rentals Private event rentals including the #2 Tween Deck (2,000 sq ft, 150–200 guests), Forward Deck for ceremonies, Officer's Mess for intimate dinners (12–20 seated), and full vessel buyouts. 3-hour minimum. Also available as charter cruises on San Francisco Bay. Quote-based pricing starts at under $1,000 to over $25,000 depending on space and duration.
• Membership Program Annual membership tiers offering free dockside admission and exclusive benefits: Student $35/yr, Individual $50/yr (includes 20% Ship's Store discount), Family $100/yr, Sponsor $250/yr, Corporate $500/yr, and Admiral $1,000/yr (includes one Fleet Week cruise ticket). Recurring annual subscription revenue stream.
• Ship's Store (Merchandise) Online and on-site gift shop selling books, pins/magnets/patches, clothing, household items, postcards, posters, and toys/models. Includes SS Jeremiah O'Brien branded merchandise and WWII historical items. Items range from $0.75 (small postcards) to $40 (sweatshirts).

Quantifiable outcome

• The only active Liberty ship in the world that retains original WWII configuration without modern alterations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• U.S. Coast GuardcoreOthersThe SS Jeremiah O'Brien is inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, maintaining active regulatory approval to operate as a passenger vessel. This certification is essential for the ship to conduct cruises and operate as a living museum.
• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)coreOthersThe SS Jeremiah O'Brien maintains a current classification with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), confirming the vessel meets structural and seaworthiness standards. Required every 5 years for dry-dock inspection.
• San Francisco Fleet WeekmajorOthersThe SS Jeremiah O'Brien is a signature participant in San Francisco Fleet Week, serving as a premier viewing platform for the Blue Angels air show and naval vessel ceremony. The annual Fleet Week cruise is one of the organization's flagship events.
• Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA)coreOthersNLSM is a member of the Historic Naval Ships Association. HNSA members receive free admission to the SS Jeremiah O'Brien. The organization is dedicated to preserving historic naval vessels.
• Jeremiah O'Brien Amateur Radio Club (JOBARC)minorOthersThe Jeremiah O'Brien Amateur Radio Club meets monthly aboard the ship, both online and in person. Open to members in good standing. Serves as an internal community group that connects enthusiasts to the ship.
• California Maritime AcademyminorOthersCadets from California Maritime Academy participated in the 1994 voyage to Normandy for the 50th D-Day anniversary. The relationship represents educational partnership and volunteer crew sourcing.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SSJeremiahOBrien
• Facebookfacebook.com/SSJeremiahOBrien
• Instagraminstagram.com/ssjeremiahobrien
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-liberty-ship-memorial---ss-jeremiah-obrien

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The National Liberty Ship Memorial - SS Jeremiah O'Brien