(Left) Jaylene G., Daniela D. and Luz C. disembark from their four day voyage on the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry in Providence. (Middle) Paul Cuffee upperclassmen help dock the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry in Providence Harbor – Left to right: Carlos R., OHP crew member, Victor A., Daniela D., Luz C,, Jaylene G,, Elvis S, and Kevin V.
(Right) The SSV Oliver Hazard Perry.
Eight years and $16M later the tall ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry now graces the waters along the East Coast, from the Canadian Maritimes to the Caribbean. The tall ship, newly launched and registered as a sailing school vessel doesn’t take passengers; she takes crew members. And that’s just what seven upper school sailors-in-the-making experienced this fall.
Sponsored by the Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island, Newport, the trip took 24 students from Providence schools on a four day voyage on the training vessel where they became part of the crew in the standard sail training program. Students from the MET, Village Green and Paul Cuffee, and one home-schooled student sailed along the Rhode Island coast, docking at Point Judith, Prudence Island, Bristol Harbor and finally Providence harbor.
“It’s always been our goal to have Providence school students on board when the OHP made her first docking here in the City,” said Jessica Wurzbacher, Executive Director, OHPRI.
12th grader, Daniela de la Cruz loved the experience. “I liked working the ropes,” she said. “I was good at it. There was always something to do. I learned to listen for the call: All Hands on Deck!”