Birth of a Tall Ship Sailor

It's been incredible to see this year's Ocean Classroom students (now crew) come together with the common goal of bringing the Harvey Gamage to the Caribbean. Although, some have spent time on the ocean and most have seen the ocean or perhaps swam in her, none were quite prepared for the demands of sailing a schooner across the vastness of the Atlantic. I have witnessed a transformation before my eyes. Your students are more confident in themselves and their potential; likewise, they are confident in their shipmates and have learned to exist, work and live in one cohesive unit. No longer do they consider themselves first, no longer is it about the individual. As we say in the maritime world "ship, shipmates, self." It was a concept, at first, that was met with apprehension. However, they have come to embrace it and we are only a few weeks into this years program. You probably won't recognize the student and "teenager" you sent to Mountain Classroom to start this journey. This is a profoundly positive fact. When you see them again they will be young adults, truly. They have always been students, but now they are also tall ship sailors. I know I speak for the Captain, educational team and crew when I say we are proud to call them our shipmates.

Fair Winds

Jonathan Vega

Maritime Literature Instructor