About...

Hester Rumberg is a longtime friend of Judith Sleavin and the godmother of Annie Rose Sleavin. Herself an experienced offshore sailor, she has sailed from Seattle to New Zealand in a 26-foot boat, and then, on a separate voyage, to the other side of the world in a 38-foot boat. Hester spent a month sailing with the Sleavin family on the Melinda Lee, traveling from Mexico to Costa Rica.

When tragedy befell the crew of the Melinda Lee, Hester changed the direction of her life and became passionate about issues surrounding safety at sea. Together with Judith, she established the Sleavin Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting maritime safety throughout the world. Hester has traveled extensively on behalf of the Foundation, collaborating in programs with both professional mariners and recreational boaters.