There’s nothing better than lending a helping hand. More specifically, it was hands-on-training that students enrolled in the Kidz at Sea Foundation’s ‘Zero to Hero’ Program received on October 15 and 16, when they participated in courses on boat maintenance hosted by St. Maarten-headquartered chandlery, Budget Marine. Training sessions covered a wide range of products including Epoxy & Polyester Resin given by Jeff Hargrove and Linda Munson from Clear Cote, Topcoats provided by David Fix from Interlux/AWLGrip, and Basic Electronics instructed by Menno Ligterink and Rob Bessette representing the brands Ancor, Marinco & Mastervolt. An earlier training was given in September on Varnish by Alexander Zonjee of Epifanes.
The instruction proved extremely useful to Shaëeza Ramjiawan, a student in the ‘Zero to Hero’ Program, who hopes to obtain her captains license to join the local marine industry. “I realized how many factors play a vital role in the construction and maintenance of a marine vessel. Painting and varnishing is not a simple task and it requires constant diligence and accuracy. The sessions were not only an eye opener, but they offered great insight and references for future purposes.”
The ‘Zero to Hero’ Program was created after the 2017 hurricane season when youth employment skyrocketed. Local and international sponsors finance the program, with the support of companies such as Budget Marine. Budgetmarine.com, www.kidzatsea.sx
