MATTHEW OTTO grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas where he learned to sail racing Hobie Cats along the Gulf Coast. After graduating from high school, he spent several years sailing on GOLDEN HINDE and serving as an apprentice to the ship’s rigger. Matthew then returned to Corpus Christie, where he worked four years as the rigger and boatswain for the Columbus Fleet Association. Next, came a stint as chief mate on the brig LADY WASHINGTON sailing out of Aberdeen, Washington. Matthew moved on to Delaware where he led the crew building the rig for the state’s tall ship, KALMAR NYCKEL. He remained with this sail training vessel for her first sailing season, serving as boatswain, and then relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, where he spent several years working as a rigger for the U.S.S. CONSTELLATION. In 2002, Matthew journeyed to Connecticut where he has spent the last seven years working as lead rigger at the Mystic Seaport Museum.