Calm seas and breezy winds helped to glide the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association’s summer apprentices as they maneuvered the Flying Frenchman across the Charlotte Amalie Harbor on Friday evening, marking the end of their nearly month-long training.
The 12 marine apprentices received their keel boat certificates and more after completing four and a half weeks of training with VIPCA. Though they have completed most of their technical training, they still have one more week of training to complete a safety course and receive their Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping certificates. Though they are not quite finished, all of the apprentices said the experience thus far has been worthwhile.
“It’s a really good program that would help anyone in the marine industry,” said Leonard “Lenny” Gumbs. “It gives them a great introduction, a great start.”
Gumbs added that with the certificates and training they received, they can work in the industry on the U.S. mainland and other Caribbean islands.
The apprentices began operating the vessel at Yacht Haven Grande. During the sail, they tended to the guests onboard, serving drinks and appetizers. Though many of the apprentices had some previous experience with either boating or watersport activities, one student in particular did not know how to swim before joining the program.
Kaylon Weekes, who learned how to swim this summer, bashfully said the hardest part of the experience was doing just that, “swimming and diving in one day.”
Other apprentices, like Kai Andrews, were already comfortable exploring the Caribbean waters.
“I’m a certified diver,” said Andrews. “I wanted to kind of get some information on the industry, see what other options I have, what niches I can find that can come in handy, and just make some connections in the industry.”
Andrews said one of the things he learned during the experience was just how interconnected some fields are with the marine industry.
“I figured out how many of my skills that I didn’t think were related would be related. So I’m a diver and I’m also a photographer, [and] I can bartend. These skills all come together to make a good career,” said Andrews.
Another apprentice, Malakai Henley, who grew up engaging in watersports like swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling, said this was a different avenue for him besides attending college. He added that he is completing this marine apprenticeship in honor of his father, who wanted him to get an education beyond high school.
“It wasn’t really for me,” said Henley, of attending college. “I grew up on the water, I been doing stuff on the water, so I was like, to make that dream come true, I’m going to do what I have to do to make sure I get that boat for him.”
Out of the 12 apprentices, one young lady dedicated herself to completing the program, with the goal of one day becoming a boat captain.
“I always had a passion for boating, since I was small,” said Chenijah “Che-Che” Dawson.
Dawson said her father had a boat while she was growing up, and it sparked her interest in boating. While in college at Savannah State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration, she also took part in the Naval ROTC program.
“I want to be an entrepreneur, so captaining is the way to go for me in the marine industry,” said Dawson. Though she aspires to captain a boat, Dawson added that she has experienced challenges getting a job in the field and decided to use this program as a lead into becoming a captain.
“I’ve been having a little difficulty finding businesses to work for in the marine industry, and I was told about this program from a captain that I know, so I decided to take it upon myself to just apply myself and focus, and here I am.”
In addition to learning the skills of boating, the apprentices took part in customer service and resume writing training conducted by Chef Jucinto Durant, who specializes in hospitality.
“They were very engaged. I went to teach them something that’s kind of boring, so I was surprised to see how engaged they were.”
Durant said the apprentices even taught him a thing or two about the marine program as well.
“I wish them all God’s richest blessings,” said Durant.
Coming to the end of the sail, the apprentices received their certificates and worked together to dock the catamaran back at Yacht Haven Grande.
“VIPCA’s mission is to unify, support, and further the capabilities of the charter industry here and the most crucial part of that is investing in this community and this industry, which is represented by these folks here on this boat tonight,” said VIPCA executive director Kennon Jones before handing out the certificates. “I am incredibly proud of all of you.”
More information on the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association can be found on their website: https://www.vipca.org/
