Operation Inspire Students Participate in Hands-On Maritime Learning Experience

“Two, six, heave!”

It is the kind of call that has long echoed across sailing vessels as crews work together to raise the sails. Recently, students from Operation Inspire had the opportunity to experience that spirit of teamwork when they stepped aboard the schooner Denis Sullivan for a hands-on maritime learning experience.

Fifty-five OI students, the educational initiative operated by our charitable arm Cane Bay Cares, participated in the experience over two afternoons on the waters off St. Croix.

During their time aboard the vessel, students explored the fundamentals of sailing, practiced nautical terminology, and worked together to raise the sails. The experience offered a unique opportunity to learn outside the traditional classroom environment.

Programs like this complement classroom learning while helping students develop important 21st century skills such as teamwork, communication, and collaboration in real-world settings.

Participants included students from the Ricardo Richards Elementary, Pearl B. Larsen PreK-8, Eulalie Rivera PreK-8, and Claude O. Markoe Elementary schools.

The experience was made possible through the partnership and support of the Virgin Islands Department of Education and the principals of the participating schools.

Cane Bay Partners has supported World Ocean School for more than 16 years through charitable donations and partnership. That longstanding relationship helped make this opportunity possible for OI students.

Cane Bay Partners cofounder Kirk Chewning and his wife Leah Chewning also support WOS in other capacities, helping expand opportunities like this for students across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Through partnerships like these, Cane Bay Partners remains committed to supporting educational opportunities for young people in the community.