The sea around us has defined the life of Bermudians for centuries. It has enabled us to make our home on one of the world's most isolated and resource-impoverished islands. Less well known is the fact that our maritime history has also shaped many of Bermuda's cultural contributions to the outside world.

In the 1600s, Bermudians developed a rig on local watercraft, which would become Bermuda's greatest contribution to the maritime world. The Bermuda rig, a tall triangular-headed sail, enabled local vessels to sail extremely close to the wind and today dominates the world of yachting.

At sea, Bermudians were equally innovative. Their success in trade, privateering and shipbuilding was based on the local development of the Bermuda sloop. These small, fast and handy vessels - and other locally built ships - were in demand throughout the Atlantic world. A number were built for the Royal Navy, including HMS Pickle and HMS Bermuda, which were used in the pursuit of slavers.

Bermuda's involvement in international maritime traditions continues with the biennial Bermuda Race, the first and oldest ocean yacht race in the world. On a broader scale, Bermuda is the steward of five centuries of shipwrecks documenting the maritime history of the western Atlantic from the early period of European exploration through to the twentieth century, an extremely rich resource of international importance.

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