Bermuda Sun - November 3 2006

It's made me want a job on the water
B. Candace Ray
INTERVIEW/Shakir Amory
Shakir Amory seemed born to the helm as he took the wheel of the 76.7-foot (23.60 meters) Spirit of Bermuda at sunrise. The 13-year-old was unperturbed by the ship's 90-ft. mainmast and canvas expanse of sails - inside jib, try foresail and mizzen.

He'd previously driven boats under 30 feet, but concentrated on the steering he said he liked best about the five days under sail.

"It's fun being able to control the boat, instead of asking someone else where to go."

"I learned lots of stuff - what side to drive on when you're in close to the land, some parts of the compass I didn't really know, parts of the boat, how erosion of cliffs works. It's taught me a lot," he said, "and I kind of want to get a boat. I'll probably go look into marine type jobs to go with the water and boats.

"He's unconcerned about the writing assignments he's had to complete during the week.

"I like being on the boat because it's a different environment, and you're really still learning," he said. "School is hard at some point.

"Learning support teacher at Sandys and volunteer foremast group monitor aboard Spirit, Jibri Lewis noted the need for this type of education.

"The youth are our future, and they need to be educated in Bermudian history," he said. "This is Bermudian history. They used these boats a long time ago, these sloops, and Bermudians are the ones who (built them)."Shakir Amory believes in the weeklong experience aboard Spirit."It might change a lot," he said.