The World Ocean School gives students new opportunities on the water

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — In the Boston Harbor, a 95-foot floating school sets sail with the goal of teaching students from all walks of life, everything from STEM to self-worth.

On September 11, a group of about two dozen adults got a first-time experience on the open waters aboard the World Ocean School’s Denis Sullivan.

The nonprofit takes children with no prior sailing knowledge and teaches them a variety of responsibilities.

“My favorite thing to see is kids take ownership of the boat and their role in it and watch them do that as a community,” mate Tatina Dalton said. “Some of our overnight programs are a week long. And by day two or three, they know their routines and they’re working together. They have this shared understanding of what this community is.”

After a quick lesson in sailing terminology, the groups divide and work to raise the masts and set sail.

“I want everyone to understand the importance of keeping this kind of tradition alive,” Captain Christopher Flansburg said.

Wednesday’s opportunity on the water was for a private sale as the World Ocean School offers is boat for private events. Utilizing the opportunity to raise money for scholarships for students and sharing the work the non-profit does in Southern New England. For this group of adults, it was a chance to get to know their coworkers outside of the office, while also seeing first-hand what students experience.

A large majority of the student sailors are given scholarships funded by the private sailing trips.

“A key part of our community is our donor community and the sail we’re on right now helps our programs,” Board Member Amanda Crone said. “All the private sails, they all help support programs in public schools, so the students don’t pay any fees.”

Since its creation, the World Ocean School has seen more than 23,000 students take the helm. It’s an experience crew members said every child should have access to.

“Every time we go out and students see whales for the first time, it’s so fun because many of them think of it as something that’s so far away,” Dalton said. “I just think those are things that should belong to everyone.”

More information on the World Ocean School and its programs can be found here.