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SSV Robert C.Seamans offers local learning op

Local high school students who are into marine sciences will have an extraordinary opportunity this month. The Sailing School Vessel (SSV) Robert C. Seamans will be arriving in American Samoa on Monday, August 11 and students will be able to experience classes in nautical and marine science, including marine engineering, oceanography, navigation, marine biology and other subjects related to the ocean and to sailing.

 

The Sea Education Association (SEA) is sailing the SSV Seamans from the Phoenix Islands Protected Area to American Samoa according to LT. Charlene Felkley who is the Marine Operations Coordinator of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) and the main local contact for any high school students wishing to be part of the program.

 

The SSV Seamans is scheduled to arrive in American Samoa on Monday, August 11 for a six-week stay, and during this time, the Marine Sactuary will be organizing and hosting alongside the SEA crew, several days of programs for the benefit of the community.

 

“This is a sailing vessel used for college students to come onboard in a program called Semester-at-Sea. The vessel will be coming into port, dropping its college students here and will stay for six weeks,” said Felkley. She said during the six weeks working with the NMSAS they will be providing programs for the students so that they can set sail to see firsthand what they are all about.

 

Wednesday, August 13 and Thursday, August 14 are reserved especially for students of the American Samoa Community College who are Marine Science majors.

 

“On Saturday August 16 there will be an open house for the public from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Anyone at this time is welcome on board. The vessel will be at the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources dock and the crew and teachers on board the vessel will be giving tours at that time,” she said.

 

On Monday August 18, only prior registered high school students will be going on board the vessel, as it will also be setting sail and will be demonstrating some of the marine science navigation engineering techniques that are taught on board the vessel.

 

She said that registration is limited as they can only take 40 students on board at one time. High school students who wish to participate must come into the Tauese P. F. Sunia Ocean Center to register and "you must bring a parent or guardian with you for a signature of approval."

 

 For more information you can call the NMSAS at 633-6500 or email Felkley at: charlene.felkley@noaa.gov.

 

The SSV Robert C. Seamans is a 134-foot steel brigantine and is the most sophisticated oceanographic research/sailing vessel ever built in the United States. Improvement in design and equipment, including a wet/dry laboratory and larger library, classroom and computer laboratory enhance the SEA academic program.

 

According to NMSAS, the SEA ships and programs "can help to fire the imaginations of young people of all backgrounds, irrespective of culture or educational preparation, by providing meaningful personal experiences that link the study and care of the coasts and oceans with their own futures."