VIPCA MARINE APPRENTICESHIP

VIPCA established a 501(c)(3) charity arm called the Marine Rebuild Fund (MRF) with the aim of boosting VI employment opportunities in the marine industry by creating marine education training / development programs. MRF is fiscally sponsored by Community Foundation Virgin Islands (CFVI). MRF raises funding year-round for the annual five week intensive “Marine Apprenticeship” which provides training in the marine industry to young adults from St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix in partnership with Cruz Bay Watersports.5 day sailing course at St Thomas Yacht Club
- 7-day sail and power-boat operation with passengers including seamanship, upkeep and customer service with Cruz Bay Watersports
- Power-boating
- Swimming
- SCUBA diving
- First Aid and CPR (certification)
- Boating Safety (certification)
- Navigation, Rules of the Road and other theory
- Marina and dock management
- Charter Vessel Maintenance and Charter Business Operation
- Technical skill and proficiency on diesel engines, outboards, electrical systems, plumbing
- US Coast Guard - half-a-day at the MSD and onboard a coastguard vessel
- Five-day STCW Basic Training (Standards of Training and Certification of Watch-keeping) worth $1200 per student.
A mentorship and scholarship program follows these apprentices to careers as captains and crew with VIPCA’s continued support of their careers being made successful in the Marine Industry.
Any student of the 5-week VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship, after 360 days sea-time, could qualify to be a certified Operator of an Un-inspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) Captain. Continuation of training from the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship in partnership with Cruz Bay Watersports and/ Lovango Resort and Beach Club would provide a 12-month paid work placement working on the water for accruement of sea time before being sponsored in sitting the OUPV captains course. This year-round opportunity may commence as soon as the student is ready for employment prior to or after the 5-week program in June/July.
Sponsor A Marine Apprentice
You can sponsor a student for $2,500 for a 5 week intensive on-the-water training including the STCW certification which is itself worth $1,200 and permits graduating students to work immediately onboard a vessel in international waters. Donate to Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands and specify that your donation is for the "Marine Rebuild Fund"