Marsh donates two boats for young people

Marsh and Guy Carpenter announced a donation of two 4.2 metre long rigid inflatable boats to be used for teaching sailing to students from select Government primary schools through an ongoing community outreach programme.

David Ezekiel, Bermuda chairman of Marsh & McLennan Companies and Chairman of Marsh’s Bermuda Charity Committee, said in a press release:   “We are thrilled to make this donation and to be a part of this community outreach programme that enables sailing to be offered to young people in Bermuda who wouldn’t normally have the financial ability to partake in the sport. Sailing instruction will teach these children skills to help them prepare for life.

Self-confidence

“Along with patience and determination, sailing also teaches self-confidence and awareness as well as clear communication and the value of teamwork and cooperation. Understanding the importance of working together towards achieving a goal does not apply to sailing alone, but also to career enhancement and personal growth.”

Royal Yachting Association rules require one instructor to be paired with six student sailors. Thus, the donation of the new boats has made it possible to add instructors to take on a greater number of students. For eight weeks, 12 students will spend Friday afternoons on the harbour learning this popular sport.

The sailing instruction will be facilitated as part of The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) Sailing Academy’s Fall Sailing Programme as a community outreach initiative with instructors volunteering their time.

Tom Herbert-Evans, RBYC’s Sailing Academy director, said: “We are so thankful to Marsh and Guy Carpenter for their generous donation. Sailing can be an expensive sport, but through our community outreach programme we can bring this fantastic sport to a wide variety of children in Bermuda.” 

With a ten-year warranty, the new boats, named MarshMellow and GuyCarp, will get plenty of use. In addition to the ongoing community outreach initiative, the boats will be used for training young Bermudian instructors as well as in other courses offered by the sailing academy.