The schooner Ernestina shoved off Saturday for
more than a month of maritime education programs that
will take the ship to Connecticut, New York and
Maine. But, after working with school groups and
others interested in the historic schooner up and
down the coast, the Ernestina will return to New
Bedford at the end of June for a variety of programs
aimed at area residents.
Among some of the activities planned for the
112-foot schooner are four new programs: Youth Under
Sail, Minority Maritime Apprenticeship, and Community
Organizations Under Sail.
The minority program is a six-month
apprenticeship for high school graduates - or those
with an equivalency degree. An apprentice may later
use the skills to pursue a career in such fields as
fishing, the merchant marine, towing and salvage, the
U.S. Coast Guard or Navy, maritime research, cruise
ships and harbor management. Each apprentice will
receive a full scholarship, a $100 a month stipend
and counseling in job placement or study for
examinations.
The Youth Under Sail program will be held
during two weeks in July. The program is open to
youths between the ages of 12 and 18. "Its
an at-sea experience for the kids," Mr. Cardoza
said. The fee is $950 a week for each child, but $475
scholarships are available. The participants will be
expected to become part of the crew, doing galley
work, reading charts, navigating, steering and
standing watch.
The Community Organizations Under Sail was set
up to allow non-profit groups the chance to sail
aboard Ernestina. The program will be held on a
variety of days in July when the groups may take
five-hour education sails from 10am to 3pm.
A fourth program is for maritime museum
employees or volunteers, such as tour guides, who
wish to gain practical sail experience aboard the
19th century schooner. The internships can last a
week or longer. Interns will be required to pay $50 a
week to cover their food and upkeep.
In Fall 1989 Prime Minister Pedro Pires visited the ship in
Providence, RI.
1989
Shipboard Staff
Daniel
Moreland, Master
Angus McCamy, Mate
Kevin Giffin, Mate
Paul Carter, Steward
Felicia Moreland, Medical Officer
Gerry Grant, Deckhand
Kerry MacKillop, Deckhand
Gregg Swanzey, Relief Captain