Exhibit 99.1

FreeSeas Announces Execution of Standby Equity Distribution Agreement

Athens, Greece, May 15, 2012 — FreeSeas Inc. (NasdaqGM: FREE) (“FreeSeas” or the “Company”), a transporter of dry-bulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of a fleet of Handysize and Handymax vessels, today announced that it has entered into a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (“SEDA”), with YA Global Master SPV Ltd. (“YA Global”), a fund managed by Yorkville Advisors, LLC (“Yorkville”).

Under the terms and conditions of the SEDA, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to sell, and YA Global will be obligated to purchase, up to $3.2 million of common stock in tranches, at the Company’s sole discretion, over the course of 24 months.

The SEDA permits the Company to terminate the agreement, upon 15 days’ prior written notice, at any time when no advances are pending. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the SEDA for general corporate purposes.

About FreeSeas Inc.

FreeSeas Inc. is a Marshall Islands corporation with principal offices in Athens, Greece. FreeSeas is engaged in the transportation of drybulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of drybulk carriers. Currently, it has a fleet of Handysize and Handymax vessels. FreeSeas’ common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol FREE. Risks and uncertainties are described in reports filed by FreeSeas Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be obtained free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. For more information about FreeSeas Inc., please visit the corporate website, www.freeseas.gr.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company’s growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy, including expected vessel acquisitions. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “hopes,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the demand for drybulk vessels; competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

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Contact Information:
At the Company	Investor Relations
FreeSeas Inc.	The Equity Group
Alexandros Mylonas, Chief Financial Officer	Adam Prior, Vice President
011-30-210-45-28-770	212-836-9606
Fax: 011-30-210-429-10-10	aprior@equityny.com
info@freeseas.gr	www.theequitygroup.com
www.freeseas.gr	Terry Downs, Account Executive
	212-836-9615
	tdowns@equityny.com