The Tribune

THE national coordinator of a programme that has turned out more than 2,000 participants today thanked Royal Caribbean Group for its new sponsorship which adds a hands-on-deck aspect that he described as a potential “game-changer that will make a difference in hundreds of Bahamian lives”.

Clayton Curtis, national coordinator of the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC), the youth training arm of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, praised the cruise company for its support which includes scholarships for deserving cadets and making real-time experience on a ship possible for qualified graduates and some trainees.

“Since 2004, more than 2,000 students in The Bahamas have participated in the programme that exposes them to different aspects of the maritime industry and even during the pandemic, we had 110 who graduated,” said Mr Curtis.

Of that number, about one in five will go on to a career at sea, seeking academic maritime scholarships and onboard experience. The programme was established to build awareness of opportunities in the maritime industry and prepare high school students for careers in the growing sector.

Prior to the pandemic, classes were held after school twice a week on the campus of CR Walker High School in Nassau with cohorts in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Inagua and Eleuthera.

“We have faced a dual challenge, having lost one of our primary providers of sea service and dealing with restrictions imposed because of the pandemic. It is difficult to teach the hands-on skills like how to tie knots virtually,” explained MrCurtis, “but with Royal Caribbean’s engagement, we feel like we are writing a new chapter in the history of maritime career excitement and readiness.”

The programme is highly structured. Tenth graders are taught the basics in ship types, seamanship and vessel husbandry while 11th graders add firefighting, navigation, rules of the road and practical exposure to life at sea during school breaks. In the third year, 12th graders who qualify experience life at sea and can earn international certification through an additional course conducted by Bahamas Maritime Training Institute and held at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) base.

While its major support comes from the Bahamas Maritime Authority and instructors are provided by the RBDF, the popular training programme lacked onboard experience after the main provider of that experience, Campbell Shipping, was sold.