News of The Abacos

A Tall Ship Visits
By David Cote

Tall ships, those relics of a by-gone era, bring to mind the days of square-rigged sailing boats. They are queens of the sea with three or more masts and are reminiscence of the days before steam. One tall ship, the S.V. Concordia, will be docked at Snake Cay during the month of January. It is a special ship in that it is a high school campus, the Class Afloat. Students sign on for one or two terms and study aboard as well as learn the intricacies of sailing a square-rigged boat. Their itinerary takes them to many interesting ports of call, about 40 during a full year where they explore and study first hand many different cultures. The Concordia has three masts, the foremost of which has four square sails with the other masts gaff-rigged. It is this sail configuration which classifies it as a barquentine. The ship has fifteen sails totaling 10,000 square feet and draws about 13 feet when loaded. Tall ships which exceed 170 feet in length are in the Class A category. The Concordia, which is 188 feet, is one of thirty-four barquentine ships in this category.

Academic programmes aboard ship are tailored to the needs of serious college preparatory students. Applicants must have above average grades and be socially and psychologically fit to be at sea and away from home for five months. They must also undergo extensive interviews and a stringent medical exam. Their studies are enhanced by hands-on experiences in over forty counties. From Kenya to Singapore, the Galapagos to Easter Island, student sail their classroom to the world.

Standard high school courses are offered as well as additional research courses in anthropology, political science and marine biology. Students have access to a reference library, computer services and two uniquely designed classrooms.

A 24-hour day is divided into shifts. Classes are held during the day with students also scheduled on the deck watches. At night they stand on the standard four-hour mariner's watch. When at port, this rigorous schedule is replaced with exotic field trips and guest lectures from on site scientists, government officials and royalty. The original idea came from owner, Terry Davis. Studying education in the late 60's, one of his professors asked him to write a research paper on the idea of a utopian education. That dream has now become Class Afloat, a once-in-a-lifetime, hands-on semester at sea each fall or spring. With a crew of eight and four to seven teachers, the Concordia can accommodate up to 64 students aged 16 to 19 years. They receive credits through West Island College (a Canadian high school). They normally have about an equal number of boys and girls. The only problems the students endure are seasickness and homesickness.

The programme began in 1985 using a chartered boat. The Concordia was commissioned in Poland in 1992 to be a state-of-the-art high school afloat on the high seas. Facilities include air-conditioning, four-berth cabins with shower, sink and head, as well as water-making equipment for the whole ship.

Although tuition costs are in the range of a state side boarding school, Class Afloat offers a scholarship of $15,000 to one Bahamian student each year. In 1993 Travis Spicer was the recipient. This year Abaco can congratulate Jason Wiltfang for being the worthy recipient beginning his sail in August 1999. Class Afloat is monitored by Ocean Challenger from Boston and is on line at www.classafloat.com. This allows students all over the world to vicariously enjoy the adventures of the crew as they span the globe. The ship will open to the public on January 30, 1999, from 3:00 to 5:00.

Mr. and Mrs. Terry Davis maintain a residence in Treasure Cay and Mrs. Davis is presently teaching at St. Francis de Sales School in Marsh Harbour.