Student Sailors



Learning about wind, lift and sails

Raising and securing a sail

Teamwork to hoist a jib sail



Twenty-one seventh and eighth graders from Ss. Peter and Paul School on St. Thomas had a unique learning opportunity aboard the historic schooner Roseway on March 23. Teachers Jacqueline Vante and Kimalee Emanuel, Department of Education Career and Technical Vocations Director Eduardo Corniero, and Nicole Botellini of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands and a boat crew of eight, accompanied students as they sailed from Crown Bay Marina to Buck Island National Park and back.

Lionfish endanger our reefs

Students learned the basics of Coast Guard boating safety from the Roseway captain. Then, they worked in teams to hoist four massive sails and secured boat fenders and ropes. Students learned about navigation, tacking, wind and lift, sea depth and ocean currents, beaches and coral, fishing, ship building, lion fish, leatherback turtles, annual migrating whales and Buck Island. As the ship docked, students assisted crews with final tasks to secure the schooner to the dock and bid the crew farewell.

The sailing trip was organized by Senator Shawn-Michael Malone. Many students were interviewed by Daily News reporter Karen Hollish and discussed future career ideas, paths, hobbies, and general interests.