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	    <title>Sail Caribbean Latest News</title>
	    <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/</link>
	    <description>Recent happenings and updates from Sail Caribbean.</description>
	    <language>en-us</language>
	    <copyright>Copyright 2012. Sail Caribbean Voyages, Inc. All Rights Reserved.</copyright>
	    <pubDate>Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:44:00 EST</pubDate>
	    <ttl>1</ttl>
		<image>
			<url>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/images/logo_sm.gif</url>
			<title>Sail Caribbean Latest News</title>
	    	<link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/</link>
		</image>
	
	
	    <item>
	      <title>SC Staff Race Across the Atlantic</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/265020/2012/sc-staff-race-across-the-atlantic</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Our staff members are always looking for a great challenge, and Emma Deegan and Lorraine Toner certainly found one in an adventurous transatlantic crossing. Here&#39;s what Emma wrote about their voyage...

	I started sailing small boats in college and never dreamed that it would take me anywhere other than the cold Irish waters I learned in. Crossing the Atlantic was always something that I had dreamed about doing but it seemed so far away and out of reach. Then I heard about the ARC. The ARC is a race that goes from Gran Canaria to St Lucia every second year and this year 250 boats took part. Lorraine and I decided to try get on one of those boats as crew. Lorraine quickly got a place on a 72 foot boat called One Hull, but I was not so lucky and so we had a very tense week in Gran Canaria while I looked for a boat to take me on. At the very last minute when I had lost hope of finding a boat, One Hull came through and offered me the last berth on board.

	

	We set off to cross the Atlantic as the underdog. The youngest person was 11 and the oldest was 67. Two of our crew had never sailed before and a further three had only been on a boat for a week. We were an amateur crew on a big heavy boat that was designed to sail upwind. This was a downwind race and we would be competing against professional crews. We worked hard for the next two weeks. Our watch system of three hours on and three hours off meant that everyone was exhausted. Day three brought us a new challenge. This was the day that we put up the spinnaker and it stayed there for the next 11 days. This now meant that we had to be constantly adjusting the sheets to keep the sail filled so that it would not rip. Ripping a spinnaker would cost us time and ground in the race.

	Well...it happened! We ripped our spinnaker one morning and 18 of us spent over an hour taking down what remained of it and putting up a replacement. We got a race report each day and we fought hard to make sure that with each report we were pulling further away from our competition. The spinnaker rip threatened to set us back and we had to work even harder to make up for lost time. It is easy when you are in the middle of the ocean to forget that you are in a race. The race reports helped to focus us and as we listened each morning our spirits would lift when we heard that our position was improving. It was hard to believe that after only two weeks we were going to be in St Lucia. It was two weeks of hard work and it had paid off. We were first in our class and the 11th boat over the line - out of all 250 boats!

	It had been a great experience. I made some great friends and had sailed across the Atlantic. I had watched amazing sun rises and sun sets, seen hundreds of shooting stars, caught a fish and had a fancy dress party in the middle of an ocean. We all had overcome personal challenges and it meant something different for each of us. Some of us had faced the challenge of being away from family and friends while for others the challenge was learning to sail or overcoming sea sickness. Whatever the challenge, we had managed to come first in class as a team and that is something that none of us will ever forget.

	

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Announcing our new Sail Caribbean Yacht Charters Website!</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/265026/2012/announcing-our-new-sail-caribbean-yacht-charters-website</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	We&rsquo;re excited to announce that we are offering yacht charters for families and friends from September to May.&nbsp; We&rsquo;ve recently created a new website called&nbsp; Sail Caribbean Yacht Charters to showcase our boats, staff, charter options and services.

	Over the years many adults have asked us if we offer British Virgin Island sailing vacations for families and friends. Students who have attended our teen summer camps have told us they&rsquo;d like to share a similar experience with their parents.

	No sailing experience is needed.

	

	Captain Maria Powell knows the BVI sailing waters and locations well. She&rsquo;ll get you acquainted with life onboard and sail you through a truly adventurous vacation in the British Virgin Islands. Maria can teach you the ropes and is also available to give nationally recognized American Sailing Association certifications. Another very attractive offer is scuba certification or other diving options with our veteran scuba master dive instructor, Steve Ellefson. Our 51 ft yacht, Venture of Tortola, is also available as a bareboat charter for seasoned sailors.

	We&rsquo;ll help you with the planning &ndash; remember, we&rsquo;re sailing adventure experts! There&rsquo;s no better way to experience the beauty of the BVI than by yacht. We invite you to hop aboard with Sail Caribbean Yacht Charters and make your next vacation a voyage full of unforgettable memories.
	&nbsp;

			]]>
			
		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Look Who's Returning for Summer 2012</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/265014/2012/look-whos-returning-for-summer-2012</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	These alumni students are ready for more challenges and long-lasting friendships on another Sail Caribbean adventure.

	We hope you can join us too...

	

			]]>
			
		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Wed, 4 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Coming to a City Near You</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264996/2011/coming-to-a-city-near-you</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Here&#39;s where we&#39;ll be.&nbsp; We&#39;d like to meet you and talk about our programs!

	If you&#39;re interested in scheduling a presentation in your home please call us at 800-321-0994.

	1/18/2012 Greenwich High School Greenwich, CT 6-9pm

	1/18/2012 Bergen County Academies Hackensack, NJ 7-9pm

	1/20/2012 Hotchkiss School Interlaken, CT 6:30-9pm

	1/21/2012 Masconomet Regional High School Topsfield, MA 1-4pm

	1/22/2012 Phillips Academy Andover, MA 12-3pm

	1/25/2012 Conestoga High School Berwyn, PA 5:30-8:30pm

	1/25/2012 Staten Island Academy Staten Island, NY 2:35-4:30pm

	1/26/2012 McCarthy Towne Elementary Acton, MA 5pm-8pm

	1/28/2012 Whitfield School St. Louis, MO 10am-3pm

	1/29/2012 Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School Sudbury, MA 11am-2pm

	1/29/2012 Brookline High School Brookline, MA 12pm - 3pm

	1/30/2012 Concord Carlisle High School Concord, MA 5:30-8:30pm

	2/2/2012 Tower Hill School Wilmington, DE 3:30-7pm

	2/4/2012 Moorestown Friends School Moorestown, NJ 11:30am-3pm

	2/4/2012 Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, NJ 1-3pm

	2/4/2012 Westridge School Pasadena, CA 10am-3pm

	2/4/2012 French American International School San Francisco, CA 9:30am-12:30pm

	2/10/2012 Phillips Exeter Academy Exeter, NH 2:30-4:30pm

	2/13/2012 Miss Porters School Farmington, CT 5-7 pm

	2/14/2011 Loomis Chaffee School Windsor, CT 9-11:30am

	2/19/2012 Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford, CT 11-1:00pm

	2/20/2011 Westminster School Simsbury, CT 11am-1pm

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Fri, 9 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	    <item>
	      <title>What are the Staff Up To Now?</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264990/2011/what-are-the-staff-up-to-now?</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	It&#39;s a never-ending adventure just keeping up with Sail Caribbean staff!

	&nbsp;

	

	Charlie Freundlich - Captain Bravo 1 &amp; Chavo 2

	Charlie is working on his PhD in &lsquo;control of distributed networks of mobile robots&rsquo;... meaning he comes up with fancy equations to make groups of robots do cool stuff such as bird-like flocking &amp; fish-like schooling.

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Elise Anderson - Office Mgr Echo 2, Early Bravo, Alpha 1; Mate Alpha 2 &amp; 3

	Elise is enjoying her last year of college and keeping herself busy. She is helping teach rock climbing for a class called &lsquo;Women&rsquo;s Topics in Wilderness Leadership,&rsquo; as well as designing an outdoor program for a therapeutic boarding school. She will soon complete her certification to be a Yoga Instructor, and her broken femur is completely healed and all the metal comes out of her leg next month!

	&nbsp;

	

	Emma Deegan - Program Director Echo 2, Tango, Fleet Captain Charlie 1, Sailing Director Chavo 3

	Emma Lucy D is sailing across the Atlantic with the ARC (the world&rsquo;s largest annual trans-ocean sailing event) Check out the logs that were written by her crew over the past two weeks as they raced across the Atlantic.

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Steff Paige - Mate Early Bravo, Captain Charlie 1, Chavo 2 &amp; 3

	Steff is so hardcore! She is working on her degree in Sports Coaching &amp; Performance and preparing for an expedition to Mt. Kilimanjaro with 19 young people. She is also in the process of taking her final tests to get into the British Military Academy Sandhurst (super difficult!) where she plans to specialize in Adventure Training and Physical Education.

	&nbsp;

	

	Graham Benton - Program Director Kent &amp; Foxtrot 3, Captain Sierra 1 &amp; 2

	Graham has been in Nairobi, Africa since October and plans to stay until March or April. For his day job, he makes sure all the aspects of building biogas digesters goes smoothly; he spends his spare time petting giraffes and elephants, salsa dancing, and driving go carts!

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Bailey Reeves - Provisions Manager Foxtrit 1 &amp; 2, and PM Trainer

	Bailey is finishing up her degree in Supply Chain Management, and is keeping busy by being Vice President of two campus organizations and looking for work after graduation. She is heading to Puerto Rico for winter vacation!

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Devin Altobello - Photographer/Videographer

	Devin is in Durban, South Africa attending the COP 17, a UN conference on climate change where he plans to photo-document the process of global negotiations.Devin is in Durban, South Africa attending the COP 17, a UN conference on climate change where he plans to photo-document the process of global negotiations.

	&nbsp;

	

	John Delurey - Captain Charlie 1 &amp; Chavo 2

	John is also heading down to Durban, South Africa for the COP 17 as a co-leader for his school&rsquo;s first-ever delegation to the COP series! Other than preparing for the conference he has been working on a project to empower the elderly of St. Louis by collecting personal histories, helping get the sailing team at his school going again after a 5-year hiatus, pushing for EPA protection of Missouri waters through the legal clinic he works for, and studying for the GRE which he just took. Next year he hopes to attend the Clinton School of Public Service.

	

	Mac Burton - Mate Alpha 1 &amp; 2, Captain Alpha 3

	Mac is getting close to finishing up both of his degrees in Environmental Studies and Geography. When he is not studying, he is DJ-ing and it is going quite well. He even landed a gig for a tour put on by a huge online music blog for college students across the country!

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Kyle Pierson - Mate Foxtrot 1, Captain Foxtrot 2

	Kyle has a new teaching job in northern California, and his students love him. He teaches an enrichment science class for 6-8th graders - currently they are working on putting together a podcast about cool current events in the science world. He also works with general and special education students to customize individual curriculum. In his free time, he hikes to the river with his snorkel gear where he pretends to be a river otter and swims with salmon.

	

	Kieran Sullivan - Program Director Delta 1 &amp; 2

	Kieran spent time in Norway for a field ecology course right after leaving the BVI. Once back to the Prescott campus, he has been working hard on his senior projects (one dealing with photography/portraiture, the other about birds) because he graduates this month! He spends his time in the darkroom preparing for his exhibit, running statistics and writing his scientific paper, and doing some serious rock climbing. Next semester he will help teach a Coastal Ecology course down at the Sea of Cortez!
	&nbsp;

	

	Laurie Gilbert - Program Director/Marine Biologist Sierra 1 &amp; 2

	Laurie is in West Palm Beach, FL teaching a high school AP Biology class and having a blast doing it. She&rsquo;s excited that it&rsquo;s finally cold enough to wear sweaters and boots! (60 degrees F!)

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Katie Cole-Kelly - Mate&nbsp; Delta 1 &amp; 2

	KCK is teaching her 2nd year of 7th grade science in Virginia and loving it! She&rsquo;s also taken on the role of Student Council Advisor at her school. Recently, she took her parents to the Dominican Republic to celebrate her mother&rsquo;s birthday!

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Emma Hermantek - Captain Bravo 1, Chavo 2 &amp; 3

	Emma H. just arrived back in the BVI where she is working at the Bitter End teaching sailing and running Watersports!

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Cli Breathnach - Sailing Director Charlie 1, Chavo 2 &amp; 3

	Cli is wrapping up her semester of cool courses such as pathology, radiology, and neuroanatomy (whoa!). Not long ago she took a road trip around Ireland with Emma D. and Maria. Recently, she discovered that a British supermarket sells Ting and is super excited as her first delivery just arrived!

	&nbsp;

	

	Erica Bartos - Captain Echo 1 &amp; 2

	Erica is living in Virginia where she&rsquo;s teaching 9th grade Physics and Precalculus. In March, she&rsquo;s taking a group of freshmen to Mississippi for a week, armed with hammers and power tools, where they will help with continued Katrina cleanup efforts. She also is the proud new owner of an adorable Australian Shepherd named Sully!

	&nbsp;

	

	Ben Eisenstein - Captain Foxtrot 1

	Ben just relocated to Maui where he is has a new job working for the Pacific Whale Foundation. His new friends include False Killer Whales and Humpbacks! When he&rsquo;s not on the boat educating the public about local marine life, he&rsquo;s SCUBA diving and catching waves on his board.

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Nate Formel - Mate Early Bravo, Captain Foxtrot 1 &amp; 2, Mate Foxtrot 3

	Nate and Kelly are both in grad school in Miami. Nate is working on his thesis project about habitat selection and restoration of Staghorn and Elkhorn corals (endangered species in the Caribbean).

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Kelly Montenero - Mate/Marine Biologist Kent, Foxtrot 1&amp;2, Capt Foxtrot 3

	Kelly is working with NOAA to put together data on historical coral cover in the Florida Keys. They both are working in a coral research lab, as well as at the Biscayne Nature Center where the teach school groups about seagrass and coastal ecology. Next semester they plan to work at Shake A Leg Miami where they will be teaching sailing, marine biology, and kayaking!

	&nbsp;

	

	Molly Rosenblum - Mate/Dive Coordinator Charlie 1, Chavo 2&amp;3

	Molly is living in London where she is working on her Master&rsquo;s degree in Social Anthropology. She spends lots of time writing super interesting paper and hanging out with cute English mice. Recently, she also spent some time hanging out with the SC divers when they were back in England on their break.

	&nbsp;

	

	Sarah Morgan Lee - Program Director Early Bravo, Alpha 1, 2&amp;3

	Sarah Morgan spent the semester working in a surgical oncology unit in a Memphis hospital, working with a nurse who is originally from Tortola. She just finished up with her exams and will officially graduate from Nursing School next year. She&rsquo;s enjoyed lots of local BBQ and is heading out for a skiing vacation to relax after a crazy semester!

	&nbsp;

	

	Katelynn Yonce - Captain Foxtrot 1, Tango &amp; Chavo 3

	Katelynn is just one semester away from graduating with a degree in Public Policy Law and two minors in Environmental Studies and Economics. She&rsquo;s working on a project with the Sustainability Office to make her school&rsquo;s dining hall completely trayless in an awesome effort to reduce food waste! This winter break she plans to do a lot of skiing in Vermont!

	&nbsp;

	

	Daniel Stein - Captain Alpha 1&amp; 2, Chavo 3, Mate Alpha 3

	Daniel is working as an intern in New York City for an Art Gallery and is preparing for his next move to grad school.

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Robb Kirchner - Mate Early Bravo, Captain Charlie 1, Mate Chavo 2

	Robb is studying at St. Mary&rsquo;s and doing some interesting work with the fisheries department. He just finished up a busy sailing season, during which he raced in 4 intercollegiate regattas, and at Nationals finished in 8th place (beating out the defending national champion!)

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Claire Marian - Program Director Echo 1, Bravo 1, Chavo 2

	Claire spent the fall teaching sailing for NOLS in Baja, Mexico and plans to return for the early spring. After that she is trying to decide what to do until the summer - her options currently include: language school in Guatemala, getting her captains licence, or working on a farm in Hawaii!

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Margie Burton - Captain Early Bravo, Alpha 1 &amp; 2, Fleet Captain Alpha 3

	Margie&rsquo;s looking to get in with the America&rsquo;s Cup crowd in San Francisco, where she just landed a search engine marketing company job.

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Maria Powell - Sailing Director/Staff Training Director

	Maria is closing in on Antigua by now, has been up to some serious blue water sailing.

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Jess Arms - Mate/Dive Instructor Charlie 1, Chavo 2 &amp; 3

	Jessica has picked the hot surfing area in Rincon, Puerto Rico to work at a dive shop.

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	&nbsp;

	

	Frazer Milton - Mate Bravo 1, Tango, Chavo 3

	Frazer didn&rsquo;t get to do a boat delivery as he had hoped (not the best boat), but will be in the Virgin Islands soon looking for work.

			]]>
			
		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Mon, 5 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Alumnus Megan Herring Launches Sierra Video...and runs NYC Marathon!</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264987/2011/alumnus-megan-herring-launches-sierra-videoand-runs-nyc-marathon</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Our very own alumnus, Megan Herring (Sierra 2-2010 &amp; Sierra 1-2011) from Missoula, Montana had some great ideas.&nbsp; She wanted to produce a video while attending the Sierra 1 Program this past summer...and she wanted to run in the New York City Marathon.&nbsp; She accomplished both of these personal goals with flying colors.

	Although Megan refers to herself as a bit of a &#39;geek&#39;, there&#39;s nothing at all geeky about her Sierra program YouTube video.&nbsp; In fact, it&#39;s artfully crafted and a blast for sure.&nbsp; We want to thank Megan for her skillful videography and great editing. Her video makes this a truly memorable Sierra voyage.

	After the summer, Megan and her family decided to run the New York City Marathon together. This would be Megan&#39;s first 26.2 mile long race! The minimum age to enter is 18. That was cutting it very, very close for Megan, who turned 18 just one hour before the start of the race. New York Roadrunners, being responsible for applicants, requested a copy of Megan&#39;s birth certificate before they would permit her to run!&nbsp; She just might be the youngest entrant ever.&nbsp; Megan showed her stuff and finished in 3:53:24.&nbsp; Bravo Megan! What a great way to celebrate a birthday! Read more

			]]>
			
		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264987/2011/alumnus-megan-herring-launches-sierra-videoand-runs-nyc-marathon</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Sail Caribbean Goes Green</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264978/2011/sail-caribbean-goes-green</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Thanks to Sail Caribbean&#39;s teen adventure camps, Cli, Emma, and Maria have been friends since their first summer as staff together in 2006 and 2007 (Cli joined us then!). After a few years of badgering Maria to come visit, she finally took them up on it and Sail Caribbean took Ireland by storm. Cli and Emma were kind enough to welcome Maria and show her the authentic Irish sights, people, and culture. The first few days were spent with Emma and her family in the small town of Dunlavin, about 45 minutes outside of Dublin. In those 3 days they visited Emma&#39;s nephews, Jack and Peter, drove around Blessington lake where Emma and Cli used to teach sailing and kayaking, took pictures at the famous Molly Malloy statue in Dublin and said cheers at 17:59 for Arthur&#39;s Day to celebrate the creation of Guinness.

	Then they embarked on a 6-day road trip from the east coast of Ireland to the west and southern coasts. The Sail Caribbean connection has resulted in a 5-6 year friendship with tons of summer adventures, so lots of stories and jokes were passed around the car throughout the trip. They decided to pay tribute to SC and Director, Mike, by taking pictures along the journey with the SC flag and staff polos! The first stop was in Westport, on the west coast, in a small sea town known for Grace O&#39;Malley, a seafaring pirate in the late 1500s, trad sessions at the local pubs and Croagh Patrick mountain. For the next few days they visited the city of Galway for the oyster festival (even got the 2011 champion oyster shucker&#39;s autograph!), drove through the Burren which is carved out from limestone and endless stone walls span the countryside for miles, visited the famous Gleninsheen tomb from 7,000 years ago, and photographed tons of castles and forts along the way.

	For the last 3 days they drove south along the coast and visited the Cliffs of Mohr on the first truly sunny day of the trip!! The trip ended up in Lahinch for 2 nights, a place near and dear to Cli as she spent her summers as a kid here swimming, doing gymnastics and getting into trouble.The ladies&nbsp; went their separate ways in the small sailing town of Kinsale after a great week together filled with exploration, good conversation and time together. Although they didn&#39;t see any leprechauns or gold at the end of the rainbow, they had a perfect trip together filled with memories and laughs of summers together at Sail Caribbean&#39;s teen adventure camps!!
			]]>
			
		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264978/2011/sail-caribbean-goes-green</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Devin Altobello Brings His Talents to SC</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264969/2011/devin-altobello-brings-his-talents-to-sc</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Throughout the years we&rsquo;ve had amazing people, staff and students alike, join Sail Caribbean. One of those people is Devin Altobello. As a teenager, Devin attended Sail Caribbean for three consecutive summers (2004-2006). As a college student currently focusing on multi-media photojournalism, he contacted us with a great project idea.

	Devin told us that he understands the impact SC staff and programs have on a young person&rsquo;s development. Prospective participants and their parents form impressions based largely on the SC website and brochure. Devin felt he could help to represent the SC experience by creating distinctive video portraits of our staff. This project would also allow him to continue developing skills in visual story telling. We were excited about Devin&rsquo;s proposal and welcomed him as staff for summer 2011 to focus on this project.

	Devin&rsquo;s craftsmanship has made this endeavor a huge success! We are grateful that he joined us again to share his talents and pursue his professional goals. Devin&rsquo;s work is impressive and we are enormously proud of him. We invite you to take a look and Meet our Staff.

	
		
			
				
			
				
			
				
			
				
			
				
		
		
			
				Hannah Korus
			
				Kyle Pierson
			
				Sarah Morgan Lee
			
				Daniel Klein
			
				Kieran Sullivan
		
	


	Devin&rsquo;s thoughts, current projects, personal goals, future plans, and links to his work follow:

	&ldquo;Images are a powerful universal language that can bestow a voice to the powerless, carry the words of the powerful or simply convey a story. It is in this nature that I strive to inspire understanding of the world through multi-media photojournalism.

	Returning to Sail Caribbean as staff was a fruitful experience&hellip;I learned a lot and am grateful for this opportunity.

	I am currently involved in a documentary production course in which I am working collaboratively with my classmates to highlight the stories of four contemporary Maine artists. This production is scheduled to appear on Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

	At the end of November I will attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations in Durban, South Africa, with a delegation of students from College of the Atlantic. My contribution at this conference will be rooted in observation; it is my objective to document the process of negotiating climate politics at a global scale through photography. I hope to represent what happens on the ground in Durban and translate what I interpret into a more palatable language for a broad audience to consider.

	A long-term goal of mine is to use the growing repertoire of skills that I have developed to effect change and promote the conservation and protection of wilderness areas, local fisheries, and limited resources as an environmental photographer. I also hope my work will engage viewers and help to preserve cultures, traditional ways of living, and identities across the globe.&rdquo;

	Links my work:
	http://vimeo.com/19462103
	http://vimeo.com/24336640
	http://vimeo.com/22591669

			]]>
			
		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Fri, 4 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Meet Our Blogger</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264963/2011/meet-our-blogger</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	She&rsquo;s Shannon Keenon, a savvy writer who&rsquo;s excited to take you on a blog journey exploring topics that fans of Sail Caribbean are sure to enjoy. Shannon grew up in a small town in east Texas and, for as long as she can remember, always wanted to become a marine biologist. Her family went on vacations to the beach and she was simply fascinated with everything she encountered in that environment - the dolphins, crabs, fish, clams, stingrays, even the sand fleas! Everything astounded and intrigued her.

	Shannon went to Texas A&amp;M University at the Galveston campus and earned her Bachelor&rsquo;s degree. She participated in lots of research and conservation projects on Red Snapper, Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Phytoplankton, Coral, Seagrass, Dolphins and Whales, as well as volunteering at a local aquarium. She picked up a few hobbies: writing for the school newspaper, scuba diving, caving, backpacking, cavern diving, and teaching. Shannon was also pleasantly surprised to discover her passionate drive for sharing the wonders of the natural
	world with others - in a fun way, of course!

	Shannon worked at the Catalina Island Marine Institute for three years as an Instructor, Aquarist, and Assistant Program Director. Then, in the summer of 2010, Shannon joined Sail Caribbean as a Marine Biology instructor on the Foxtrot Program, focused primarily on marine science and community service. During 2011, she stepped up into the role of Foxtrot Program Director and has formed a solid bond with the Sail Caribbean Program. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an incredibly dynamic way to combine many of my passions and interests, continuously challenge
	myself, and really connect with some phenomenal teens and peers.
	I am proud to be a part of Sail Caribbean!&rdquo;

	Now, Shannon is living in Chico, California where she can learn about river, mountain, and forest ecology. She spends lots of time outdoors hiking, camping, biking, and tending her garden. She is also excited to be learning new skills to continue educating and connecting with the public. In November, Shannon will complete her certification for Therapeutic Massage Therapy, and then plans to continue on with a Master&rsquo;s degree in Nutrition Science and Education.

	Shannon&rsquo;s broad interests make her a dynamic and engaging writer. We invite you to join her and our Sail Caribbean Blog Community as we explore and discuss subjects ranging from current events and interesting topics in the realm of Sailing, Scuba Diving, Marine Biology, and Summer Camps.
	&nbsp;

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		  <pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	      <title>There's a New Girl in our Fleet</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264960/2011/theres-a-new-girl-in-our-fleet</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	

	Her name is Opal Bella and she&#39;s our own Colgate 26 sailboat! We invite you to hop onboard for some serious sail training and some fast-action fun. This versatile keelboat makes handling easy for beginners, presents challenges for dedicated racers, and is also lots of fun for families. When you take control, you feel the boat respond immediately &ndash; the perfect touch for a state-of-the-art training boat. With a 15&rsquo; cockpit, Opal Bella easily has room for six crew plus one or two instructors.

	The Colgate 26 was the brainchild of Steve Colgate and his Offshore Sailing School. Steve is a renowned sailing school master &ndash; a leader in sail training since 1964. His goal was to design and build the best vessel on which to teach. Testimony to his successful vision, the US Naval Academy and other college sailing teams have the Colgate 26 as their main training vessel.

	Safety was an important factor at the top of Steve&rsquo;s list, so his reinforced hull design incorporated foam floatation making the boat very difficult to swamp. He designed the transom (the very back end of the boat) to be flat and only a few inches above the water, making it easier and safer to climb back onboard. The aft (back) of the boat has two positions for passengers or instructors where they are positioned out of the way so as not to interfere with the actions of sailing. The cockpit is a large area with enough space and seating to be comfortable for everyone. Learn more about the Colgate 26.

	If you&rsquo;re interested in taking the American Sailing Association Basic Keelboat Certification course with us, or if you aspire to enter the Annual Premiere&rsquo;s Cup Regatta during Bravo 1 this summer, you&rsquo;ll appreciate time well spent learning and practicing your sailing techniques aboard Opal Bella. Join us, grab the tiller, and take control!

	
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		  <pubDate>Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264960/2011/theres-a-new-girl-in-our-fleet</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Summer Boating Camps 2011 from Southern Boating Magazine</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264948/2011/summer-boating-camps-2011-from-southern-boating-magazine</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	From Southern Boating&#39;s June 2011 Issue: &nbsp;Sail Caribbean is in its 32nd year, making it the oldest program of its type in the Caribbean. Each summer, it hosts eight different courses in the BVI and Leeward Islands of the Caribbean... &nbsp;Read more

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264948/2011/summer-boating-camps-2011-from-southern-boating-magazine</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Melisande Rowe, Diving Director, interviewed by Sailing Magazine</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264945/2011/melisande-rowe-diving-director-interviewed-by-sailing-magazine</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Mel&#39;s lived in the BVI since 2002, working together with her husband, Mike Rowe, to grow Sail Caribbean Divers into the Five Star PADI Instructor Development Center that it is today.&nbsp; Read the full story in the June issue of Sailing Magazine.

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264945/2011/melisande-rowe-diving-director-interviewed-by-sailing-magazine</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Summer 2011 is Underway!</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264942/2011/summer-2011-is-underway</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Echo 1 is already behind us.&nbsp; Echo 2 is underway, and Early Bravo only has a few more days.&nbsp; Follow the action with our Trip Updates, and check out Armando Jenik&#39;s underwater photography.&nbsp;

	Many more programs start next week!

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264942/2011/summer-2011-is-underway</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Sail Caribbean Divers Staff Profiles</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264939/2011/sail-caribbean-divers-staff-profiles</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Sail Caribbean is the only teen summer adventure camp with its own year-round dive center.&nbsp; Sail Caribbean Divers, our PADI Five Star Instructor Development Dive Center (PADI&#39;s highest dive center rating,) is staffed by professional dive instructors who focus solely on diving and deliver the best dive experience possible to our teen students.&nbsp; Learn more about our BVI dive staff.

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264939/2011/sail-caribbean-divers-staff-profiles</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>A day in the life of Marine Science Director, Shannon Keenan</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264933/2011/a-day-in-the-life-of-marine-science-director-shannon-keenan</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Returning staff member, Shannon Keenan, who will be directing the Foxtrot programs this summer, recently shared an unusual day she had as Marine Science Director at the Catalina Island Marine Institute off the coast of California.&nbsp; A Common Dolphin got entangled in a mooring line and Shannon made the best of a sad situation.&nbsp; Check out Shannon&#39;s letter on our blog.&nbsp; Thanks for sharing, Shannon

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264933/2011/a-day-in-the-life-of-marine-science-director-shannon-keenan</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Accomplished Alumnus Josh Stewart Returns to the BVI This Summer</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264930/2011/accomplished-alumnus-josh-stewart-returns-to-the-bvi-this-summer</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			  Former Sail Caribbean student and accomplished marine scientist, Josh Stewart, will make a special guest reappearance this summer during the second week in July.  Josh was named the 2010 North American Rolex Scholar by Our World – Underwater Scholarship Society (OWUSS) last Spring, which enabled Josh to travel the world during this past year using his skills as a diver and videographer to promote marine education and conservation.  He'll be visiting our Foxtrot and Sierra programs this summer to share his adventures and perspective with our young marine conservationists.  Since sailing and diving on our Bravo and Delta programs in 2002, '03, and '04, Josh has captured world-class underwater footage while:  Pioneering the marine biology field at Indiana University (Bloomington) and working with IU’s Office of Underwater Science and National Geographic in the Dominican Republic;  Paddling the Togean Islands as a Gates Scholar (recently awarded the Australian Geographic Spirit of Adventure for his piece "Come Full Circle");  “Running” with sardines and Animal Ocean in Cape Town, South Africa;  Experimenting with revolutionary dive gear with Diving Unlimited International (DUI) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at Catalina Island;    Swimming with the Save Our Seas Foundation's Guy Stevens and the Maldivian Manta Ray Project; and  Diving with white sharks in Gansbaai and the Neptune Islands.  Read more in Josh's Journal and Blog!  Who knows? One of our students might be inspired to follow Josh's lead. We certainly hope so!      
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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264930/2011/accomplished-alumnus-josh-stewart-returns-to-the-bvi-this-summer</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Bri Darcy wins Ocean PALS Dive Training Grant</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264927/2011/bri-darcy-wins-ocean-pals-dive-training-grant</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Briana &quot;Bri&quot; Darcy is already a super-accomplished PADI scuba diver at the age of 14! She began her scuba courses at age 8 &ndash; that&#39;s the minimum age required to join the PADI Seal Team. At age 10, Bri earned her Open Water Diver Certification.

	In 2009, 12-year old Bri joined our Charlie Advanced Scuba Program in the British Virgin Islands. She came with adventure in her blood, a level head on her shoulders, and a thirst to explore the oceans and seas. Her personal drive and her dedication to dive education took hold. In just three weeks, she earned her Advanced Open Water and Emergency First Response certifications, plus specialties in Digital Underwater Photography, Dive Propulsion Vehicle, Night Diver and AWARE Coral Reef Conservation. Later that same summer, Bri went shark diving for her first time, landing her in the December 2009 edition of Northeast Dive News.

	During summer 2010 with Sail Caribbean, Bri earned her Rescue Diver certification, became a Junior Master Scuba Diver and got Peak Performance Buoyancy, Search and Recovery Diver, Boat Diver, Underwater Naturalist and AWARE Fish Identification specialties.

	Most recently at the Beneath the Sea dive show, Bri was awarded the 2011 Women Divers Hall of Fame Ocean PALS Junior Dive Training Grant to further her dive education. With the support of her family, diving has definitely become a passion for Bri, and Bri has become an inspiration to others. Bri is an activist and volunteer. She has been working fundraisers to support shark conservation.

	We are extremely proud of her accomplishments, and we&#39;re also excited to have her sailing and diving with us again this coming summer in the Leeward Islands.

	Congratulations, Bri!

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Wed, 4 May 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264927/2011/bri-darcy-wins-ocean-pals-dive-training-grant</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>And Some More Returning Staff - Summer 2011</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264924/2011/and-some-more-returning-staff--summer-2011</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Our returning staff are excited to be back in the BVIs in 2011! At the end of each program, students evaluate their captains and mates. The quotes describing our staff below come directly from the hearts and minds of students on a program. Find out a little bit more about our staff from those who know them best:

	&nbsp;

	Claire Marian
	Captain, Bravo &amp; Charlie Programs &#39;10
	Hometown: Winchester, MA
	Students say: &quot;Claire is a ball of energy. She is always cheering us on and making up songs... The most patient person ever considering what we put her through... Super enthusiastic... She is an exuberant, fun person. She can get all of us motivated... Extremely tolerant but she can also be firm when necessary, which is good... She is an awesome teacher and super organized... She is just awesome in every way possible... CRAZY AWESOME... She was easy to talk to if you had an issue, she was always there... She was a great captain and I feel we all learned a lot.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Katie Cole-Kelly
	Mate, Delta Program &#39;10
	Currently Residing: Arlington, VA
	Students say: &quot;Easy to learn from, so fun to be on a boat with... Very enthusiastic and funny... Totally there for everyone... Fun and nice and understanding... Full of energy and enthusiasm... Always positive and happy!... KCK was the epitome of a teacher excited about teaching her subject... Good at getting us to get things done... Happiest and funniest mate, couldn&#39;t imagine the trip without her... Funny and helps students a lot... So helpful, supportive, funny, great to be around... Bubbly, upbeat, energetic, a great morale booster... Great, nice person whose main focus was always on the students.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Bailey Reeves
	Provisions Manager, Mate, Foxtrot Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Baltimore, MD
	Currently Residing: State College, PA
	Students say: &quot;Bailey is a life saver... Really nice and could connect with the students well... Always managed to keep everyone happy and make sure we all got exactly what we needed. She was also so much fun to sail with... Super nice... I love her!!!! She brought us bacon... I love Bailey she is such a great person and I love the provisioning... I ate delicious food during this whole trip and there wasn&#39;t a single thing I didn&#39;t like... Made sure we always had great food and was creative with meals... So cool/fun/chill, I love Bailey. She is reliable and easy to talk to... I loved bailey. She was someone I want to be when I&#39;m older and someone I can really relate to.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Kieran Sullivan
	Captain, Delta &amp; Foxtrot Programs &#39;10
	Currently Residing: Prescott, AZ
	Students say: &quot;Ultimate chill guy, great to sail with... Very enthusiastic and funny... Funny, enthusiastic, energetic, made the whole experience more fun... Hilarious. Had fun and was entertaining while being a great captain... Had lots of patience while teaching... Mellow, but upbeat, too. Super funny... So patient! Wow. He never got mad... Very knowledgeable, he could answer all my questions... It made me feel good to know that he was always there if I had a problem... He was amazing, he taught us a lot, kept us all busy and always seemed focused on making us better sailors.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Katelynn Yonce
	Captain, Bravo &amp; Charlie Programs &#39;10
	Hometown: Bainsbridge, NY
	Currently Residing: Geneva, NY
	Students say: &quot;Taught us everything we needed to know... She was always super fun to be around and was really good at getting us excited about things... She was very patient with us during sailing, just chilling, or cleaning... VERY ENTHUSIASTIC and plenty of energy... Cared about each individual and the group as a whole... Very helpful... Kind and caring... She made sure everyone was having fun.&quot; &quot;

	&nbsp;

	Hannah Korus
	Captain, Bravo &amp; Charlie Program
	Currently Residing: Stanford, CA
	Students say: &quot;Always ready to take on the world, always happy and smiling... Hannah was a great Captain and leader, very caring, nice, and she was there for everyone... Just a lot of fun to be around... Always enthusiastic and energetic... Hannah was always patient and knew when to draw the line... Related to everyone with her sense of humor... Hannah was organized and prepared for whatever we were doing that day. She taught us how various maneuvers worked - as well as how pickles are made... She had a lot of energy while sailing and counting down from ten... Very good at teaching us and very organized, especially in the kitchen.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Erica Bartos
	Fleet Captain, Foxtrot Program &#39;10
	Hometown: New Hartford, CT
	Students say: &quot;Really kind and fun... Helped with questions and problems everyone had... Erica is extremely nice and fun. She helped me out the day I was skipper and she is fun to talk to... Great captain!! Helped out in touch situations! Positive! Friendly! Happy... Understanding and prepared... Awesome snorkel buddy... Knows how to fix everything!... Fun to be around... Really nice. Kind of behind-the-scenes... Very smart when it comes to sailing and very enthusiastic... Like Mary, very nice and willing to help. You can tell she is a very good person and also likes what she is doing... Awesome, I love her - and physics... I loved Erica! She got really pumped when I did a good de-docking and it made me feel good!&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Maria Powell
	Sailing Director &#39;10
	Hometown: Richmond, VA
	Currently Residing: Tortola, BVI
	Students say: &quot;Really nice and helpful and did a lot to help everyone... Really on top of everything... Nice and hardworking... Super awesome, best ever, cool, nice, super smart, amazing... So friendly and funny, gets to know everyone well... Great job again this year, nice... So fun with tubing! Very nice, helpful especially when we cleaned boats... Awesome boat driver and very smart and safe... Really nice and responsible... Lots of fun and a wonderful leader... Maria was really friendly with the boat and with our fleet... Great, very relatable and knowledgeable... She was always smiling and super helpful... I&#39;ve really enjoyed knowing you over these four years. You are doing a fantastic job... She is very kind to us and preps us lunches :)... LOVE HER! She is the best, I enjoyed every second with her.&quot;

	Visit our Facebook page &#39;notes&#39; section for a full staff listing!

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	    <item>
	      <title>More Returning Staff - Summer 2011</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264921/2011/more-returning-staff--summer-2011</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Our returning staff are excited to be back in the BVIs in 2011! At the end of each program, students evaluate their captains and mates. The quotes describing our staff below come directly from the hearts and minds of students on a program. Find out a little bit more about our staff from those who know them best:

	Holly Heller
	Provisions Manager, Mate, Delta Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Cockeysville, MD
	Students say: &quot;She was understanding. I could tell her anything, whenever... Very nice... A lot of fun to have around... Holly never got angry or upset, she always stayed calm... She is awesome. Good [provisioning] in the snacks department... Best mate ever: funny, fun, made the trip three times better... Very relaxed, responsible, funny, nice :)... Very chill and down to earth... No one was ever hungry, great provisions manager... Love! She&#39;s so nice! She was great with everything, made sure we liked what was coming up on the menu and changed if we didn&#39;t like it. She is great.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Tal Hutcheson
	Captain, Foxtrot Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Houston, TX
	Students say: &quot;Fine and funny... Great fun, always seemed to be in a good mood... Funny and could relate to him, I wish he was the mate on my boat. He was really chill... Tal is nothing short of amazing. He always got the whole boat laughing and he was an awesome guy to have around... I felt comfortable around him and had a fun time... CHILL... Very knowledgeable about sailing... Always making the lessons fun with hands on activities... Very approachable and fun to be around, made students feel as if we could ask him anything... Always extremely enthusiastic and energetic, never a dull moment... Very patient, and firm towards respect and cleaning... Always wanted us to do the best we could and helped us do our best.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Shannon Keenan
	Mate, Foxtrot Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Marshall, TX
	Students say: &quot;I love Shannon. She is the most awesomest person I know and I hope she will stay and make other people feel how I feel... An amazing, interesting, peppy, exciting marine bio mate... Best mate EVER! Everyone loves Shannon and having her on our boat was amazing... Her marine bio lessons were always interesting and full of energy... She has a wealth of knowledge about the marine world that she is always eager to share.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Daniel Klein
	Mate, Charlie Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Richmond, VA
	Students say: &quot;Hilarious!... Funny, nice, makes everyone laugh, knows how to get everyone to help out... Always happy and easy to connect to... Words cannot describe how awesome he is in every way... Funny dude, short shorts, good sailor... Dan was lots of fun. He knew when it was OK to joke and when he needed to be serious... Daniel had so much energy and it was contagious so we always felt excited and happy around him. He was also really supportive when we were sailing... I like Daniel a ton.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Margie Burton
	Captain, Alpha Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Baltimore, MD
	Students say: &quot;[Her] teaching style was great! By allowing us to actually do everything on the boat I learned a lot and actually remembered it all!... She showed an interest in every individual and in the whole group. She really showed us that she cared and was there for us... She was always patient even when we totally messed up... Our boat was spick &amp; span!... Patient and helpful, firm about safety.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Sarah Morgan Lee
	Program Director, Alpha Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Signal Mountain, TN
	Currently Residing: Chattanooga, TN
	Students say: &quot;Got us up in the morning with a lot of encouragement and cool music... Very fun and organized... Listened well and cared... Sarah had great energy. She is fun, crazy, and loves to get pumped by dancing... Very patient and kept us under control... She was a good teacher and used any way she could to interest us in the lesson... The boat always felt safe... Very attentive to the needs of the group... The perfect amount of patience and firmness. She would know when to put an end to silly business... Dear Sarah, Thanks for being such an amazing captain. I wish I had all your energy. Hope to see you next year!&quot;

	Visit our Facebook page &#39;notes&#39; section for a full staff listing!

			]]>
			
		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264921/2011/more-returning-staff--summer-2011</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Returning Staff - Summer 2011</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264915/2011/returning-staff--summer-2011</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Our returning staff are excited to be back in the BVIs in 2011! At the end of each program, students evaluate their captains and mates. The quotes describing our staff below come directly from the hearts and minds of students on a program. Find out a little bit more about our staff from those who know them best:

	 Elise Anderson
	Captain, Foxtrot Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Trenton, IL
	Students say: &quot;Very very enthusiastic and energetic attitude all the time... Elise&#39;s genuine caring nature made a significantly positive impact on my Sail Caribbean experience... She taught us all about sailing and was very good at it. You could tell she loved sailing and wanted to show us that... Elise made any lesson spunky, surprising, and memorable... She was a friend, a teacher and a parent on the boat - she filled each of these positions when necessary... I see her more as a big sister than a camp counselor... Elise was an amazing captain. She made me feel safe and happy.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	 Graham Benton
	Captain, Sierra Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Birchrunville, PA
	Students say: &quot;So cheerful and full of energy all the time, brings the spirit up&nbsp; of everyone around him... I have never seen Graham without a smile (even when unclogging a head!)... His passion about sailing and marine biology shows in everything he does... He is an excellent doctor, too!... When something needed to get done, he made sure it got done... Graham is a fire cracker... Always very attentive, and always made sure everyone was enjoying themselves.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	 Cliodhna &quot;Cli&quot; Breathnach Walsh
	Program Director, Bravo &amp; Charlie Programs &#39;10
	Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
	Students say: &quot;Very organized and great leadership skills... Nice and sweet... Kept things balanced and FUN... Very creative and fun... Very organized, on time, a good fit for the position, and easy to talk to... Extremely nice... Made me feel comfortable... Great enthusiasm and a wonderful person... Always had a good attitude... A lot of fun to be around... Enthusiastic and supportive... I hope she stays for many years!... I thought Cli was cool, she never was mean which I thought was good... Really cared about us... She always kept us safe and enthusiastic... Kept us all alive and well for three weeks!!&quot;

	&nbsp;

	Emma Deegan
	Program Director, Tango Program
	Hometown: Kildare, Ireland
	Students say:&quot;Emma was really caring and she always kept track of us and our safety. She really cared about mine and the group&#39;s well being... Really good at talking one on one... Fun to talk to... Nice, organized, funny, and she genuinely cared... She was nice and helpful... A super cool person... She did an amazing job. She always asked kids how they were doing and made sure that we were having fun.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	 Charlie Freundlich
	Mate, Foxtrot Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Short Hills, NJ
	Students say: &quot;Really nice, always patient and related to students... Relaxed, chill and helpful with the sails... Gave lots of helpful advice... Really funny and ready to bust out a crazy voice at random times... Helped with diving questions... I love Chuck. He&#39;s nice... Fun and positive, always excited about everything... He&#39;s a lot of fun, and a great leader... It was evident how caring and courageous he is... I LOVE THAT GUY!!! LOL = Hungry Bear... He also cooks quite well :)... AMAZING, nice and responsible... Hilarious... Loved his guitar playing.&quot;

	&nbsp;

	 Laurie Gilbert
	Program Director, Sierra Program &#39;10
	Hometown: Wellington, FL
	Students say: &quot;You can goof off with her, but she will use any chance she gets to teach something... Fantabulous!... Stayed patient even when it was probably hard to... Laurie is a teacher and an organized one... Very understanding, and cooperative with all students... She really relates to everyone... She makes school/learning fun, her lesson plans are exciting and allow us to get involved.&quot;

	Please visit our Facebook page &#39;notes&#39; section for a full staff listing!

	

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		  </description>
		  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		  <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264915/2011/returning-staff--summer-2011</guid>
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	    <item>
	      <title>Family and Friends Charter Sail Caribbean Flagship</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264906/2011/family-and-friends-charter-sail-caribbean-flagship</link>
	      <description>
		  	<![CDATA[
			
	Can&#39;t make it on our programs during the summer or want to sail for a week in the BVIs with your family? Now you can!

	 Our flagship, Venture of Tortola, lives at Hodges Creek Marina 365 days a year, and with United States Coast Guard (USCG) Captain and Sail Caribbean Sailing Director Maria Powell at the helm, we are now offering chartered vacations. You&#39;ll find our family discount rate very reasonable against competitors, and our year round dive facility and staff at Sail Caribbean Divers are second to none. Enjoy all the amenities: four cabins, four bathrooms, a full galley, and below and above-deck dining areas.

	Want more than just a relaxing vacation? Maria is also an American Sailing Association (ASA) certified Instructor, and can teach you everything a sailor needs to know. Learn about Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Coastal Cruising, and Catamaran courses while island hopping the BVIs. Visit picturesque Sandy Cay, dine at the Cooper Island Beach Club dive the wreck of the R.M.S. Rhone, play for a day at the Bitter End Yacht Club.

	 Maria (pronounced &quot;Mariah&quot;) Powell has been part of Sail Caribbean summer adventures as a student and staff member for several years, playing the role of Captain, Program Director, and most recently Sailing Director. This summer she heads education at the Great Harbor Yacht Club on Nantucket, but plans to return to Venture of Tortola in the fall. A recent graduate of James Madison University with concentrations in Management and Finance, Maria enjoys traveling, wearing Vineyard Vines, wake skating, and Koalas.

	If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please contact our office at 1 (800) 321-0994 or email info@sailcaribbean.com.

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		  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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	      <title>Sail Caribbean Divers has a New Partner</title>
	      <link>http://www.sailcaribbean.com/about/latest-news/264894/2011/sail-caribbean-divers-has-a-new-partner</link>
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	Sail Caribbean Divers has partnered with TUI Marine to launch Rendezvous Diving and Scuba Educational Services from Wickhams Cay Marina II

	Adventure Travelers Show Growing Interest in Scuba Diving and Dive Education
	 Sail Caribbean Divers, our PADI 5 Star Dive Center with 10 years of service to recreational and professional divers in the BVI, signed a contract with TUI Marine to open a reservations desk offering Rendezvous Diving and Scuba Educational Programs to TUI&rsquo;s charter guests at Wickhams Cay II Marina. These services will be available to all guests of The Moorings, Moorings Crewed Yachts, Moorings Power, Sunsail and Footloose.

	&quot;More and more travelers are incorporating adventure and education into their vacation experience, such as learning or practicing a new skill abroad,&quot; said Mike Rowe PADI Co-Director. &quot;We are adding a 5 Star Service to what is already a 5 Star Marina. We realize that families often refine their traditional travel plans for more meaningful and interactive vacations. A sailing, diving, snorkeling and water sports vacation can certainly address their wishes,&rdquo; said Rowe. Whatever the trends may be, adventure and active travelers will find what they&rsquo;re looking from the Sail Caribbean Divers reservation desk and TUI Marine at Wickhams Cay II Marina.

	Wickhams Cay II Marina, the largest and newest TUI base offers five star facilities and the most environmentally friendly charter base in the Caribbean. The Marina offers a state of the art facility for families and vacationers of all ages; amenities include luxury hotel rooms, pool, two full-service restaurants, deli, coffee shop, spa and complimentary wi-fi service throughout the property. Wickhams Cay II Marina is the number one choice for sailing and diving adventures in the British Virgin Islands. It now also offers reservation services for rendezvous diving &amp; scuba educational programs. Visit www.tuimarine.com for more information.

	Sail Caribbean Divers opened in 2000 as a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center and Dive Resort with its primary facility at Hodges Creek Marina on Tortola. Sail Caribbean Divers evolved from its parent company Sail Caribbean which was founded in 1979 and has enjoyed 32 years of teaching sailing and diving to teenagers in its premier summer teen adventure programs, www.sailcaribbean.com, in the British Virgin Islands.

	Sail Caribbean Divers boasts a fleet of four custom dive vessels maintained in showroom condition to enhance everyone&rsquo;s diving experience. With three full service locations at Hodges Creek Marina, Cooper Island and Norman Island, and one reservations desk at Wickham&rsquo;s Cay II Marina, divers &amp; sailors who are traveling around Tortola&rsquo;s sister islands can be accommodated on rendezvous dives in 5 Star fashion.

	Certified divers can take advantage of rendezvous services that allow them to enjoy guided dives on a variety of incredible dive sites that surround the islands. The world famous wreck of the RMS Rhone, a British Steamship that sank in 1867, remains the most requested dive site. With its close proximity to Sail Caribbean Diver&rsquo;s satellite center at Cooper Island, it makes a very convenient rendezvous point to suit divers&rsquo; requests.

	Those who aren&rsquo;t certified can learn about the underwater world by taking a complete certification course while visiting the BVI, or enjoy Discover Scuba Diving for the first time in an introductory dive course. Instructors at one of Sail Caribbean Divers satellite dive centers on Norman or Cooper Island teach basic skills from the beach on site. This is followed by a dive on a nearby site suitable for beginners. Once the introductory experience is complete, novice divers can continue to rendezvous with Sail Caribbean Divers at other locations for follow-on dives to explore other sites in the BVI.

	Complete services offered at Sail Caribbean Divers facilities include:
	Wickham&rsquo;s Cay II Marina Tortola: Reservations desk for dive education and rendezvous services.
	Hodges Creek Marina, Tortola: Scuba retail, equipment repair, air fills, rentals, dive education and daily dive excursions.
	Cooper Island: Scuba retail, rentals, air fills and daily dive excursions. Idyllic conditions for dive education and Discover Scuba Diving (DSD).
	Norman Island: Scuba retail, rentals, air fills, daily excursions, dive education and Discover Scuba Diving. Again, truly idyllic conditions!

	Visit www.salcaribbeandivers.com for more information.

	Outstanding Diving, Exceptional Service, British Virgin Islands
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