The University of the Virgin Islands recently welcomed representatives from Tropical Shipping to the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas to celebrate the company’s longstanding partnership with UVI’s Youth Ocean Explorers (YOE) program and its lasting impact on young people throughout the territory.
Since 2017, Tropical Shipping has contributed more than $100,000 to support Youth Ocean Explorers and Junior Ocean Explorers, helping expand access to swimming instruction, marine science education, environmental stewardship and scuba certification opportunities for Virgin Islands youth. The program also receives annual support through an appropriation from the Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
Administered through UVI’s Center for Marine and Environmental Studies (CMES) and the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS), the Youth Ocean Explorers initiative introduces students to the marine environment while fostering confidence, leadership skills and interest in STEM-related careers.
To date, the program has served 577 youth across the territory and scuba certified more than 160 students. Many participants have gone on to pursue higher education and leadership opportunities, including enrollment at UVI, where some now serve as mentors to younger students entering the program.
“As a company whose business is deeply connected to the ocean and the Caribbean region, Tropical Shipping understands the importance of investing in environmental stewardship and educational opportunity,” said Jennifer Nugent-Hill, senior director of Governmental and Community Affairs at Tropical Shipping.
Howard Forbes Jr., manager of the Youth Ocean Explorers program, noted that the program often provides students with their first positive experience in the marine environment. “What begins with learning to swim often grows into confidence, environmental awareness, academic motivation and interest in marine and STEM careers,” Forbes said.
As another group of young explorers takes to the water this summer, the impact of partnerships like Tropical Shipping’s continues to ripple across the territory, helping inspire the next generation of scientists, conservationists, educators and maritime professionals.