VIPCA - Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association

03/08/2026

Another successful year of the Jr. Swim and Sail Progarm! What a fantastic afternoon of sailing celebrating the next generation. Thanks to RapierMed St. Thomas Sailing Center St Thomas Swimming Association, Inc. for another great program!

With a new school year fast approaching, more than 30 youth, their parents and instructors celebrated the close of a summer sailing program on St. Thomas. A closing ceremony took place Friday at the St. Thomas Yacht Club in Estate Nazareth. Click the link for more.

Link: https://stcroixsource.com/2026/08/01/summer-sail-program-celebrates-new-youth-sailors-and-instructors/

31/07/2026

Marine Apprentices Celebrate Accomplishments and New Beginnings in Graduation Sail

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - Before the Marine Apprenticeship Program, Destiny Frett had never been comfortable in deep open water. On July 24, she was at the helm of the Princess Grace, steering a 65-foot catamaran full of guests into a Virgin Islands sunset on the Caribbean Sea as part of the program’s graduation sail.

"I didn't even know swimming in deep water was possible," Frett said afterward. "Jumping off a ship with no life jacket during the abandon-ship drill portion of the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) training was one of my greatest fears, and I survived. I feel unstoppable." Now, she said, the water is where she feels most at home: "I love how meditative it feels being on the water, driving the boat, forced to focus on the present moment and how you can always improve it."

Read the Full Story:

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/VIPCA-Marine-Apprenticeship-Reaches-100-Virgin-Islanders.html?soid=1134152488446&aid=ZWJK5R88h_M

Huge thanks to the Island Foundation, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, FirstBank V.I., Cruz Bay Watersports, St. Thomas Sailing Center, Paradise Yacht Management,Local Mocean Charters, Offshore Marine Inc., Adventure Scuba & School, Salty Locs,Stormy Pirates Boat Charters, Ocean Surfari Charters, UVI Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning, Virgin Islands Ecotours, UVI Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, Northside Charter, The Captain School USVI

31/07/2026

Great announcement from the Raphael O. Wheatley Skill Center and mikeroweWORKS! Scholarships available for aspiring Marine Technicians!

🎓 Exciting Scholarship Opportunities Available for USVI Students and Trade Career Paths!
We are excited to share two outstanding scholarship opportunities designed to support Virgin Islands students, high school seniors, technical school attendees, and adult learners pursuing higher education and high-demand trade careers. Please share these valuable resources across your networks!

1. The Work Ethic Scholarship Program (Mike Rowe Works)
In addition to local board funding, USVI students are eligible and strongly encouraged to apply for The Work Ethic Scholarship Program. This national tuition-only scholarship is a fantastic fit for students in the Virgin Islands, offering crucial access to funding for fields not typically covered by WIOA funds.

Who Qualifies: Anyone with a high school diploma or GED—including students enrolled in Adult Education or CTE night classes.

Trades Funded: A wide range of industries including cosmetology, culinary arts, farming & agriculture, computer information technology, and traditional skilled trades.

Impact & Support: Backed by a major national push for skilled labor, the program recently awarded $3 million to 322 applicants in its latest round.

Quarterly Deadlines: Awards are granted four times per year, with decisions announced within 2.5 months:

April 30

June 30

August 30

October 31

👉 How to Apply: Learn more and submit your application at mikeroweworks.org/scholarship.

📢 A Call to Action for Educators & Community Stakeholders
School administrators, CTE leaders, counselors, and community advocates—please help us spread the word! Share these opportunities with eligible students and families in your network to ensure no student misses out on available financial assistance to build their future.

23/07/2026

Exciting news! The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is coming to St. Thomas in 2028!

"The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) is set to make history as St. Thomas becomes a Host Port during the 2027-28 edition, marking the first time in the race's 30-year history that it has visited the Territory.

It also marks the Clipper Race's return to the Caribbean for the first time in 14 years, cementing the USVI’s reputation as one of the world's premier sailing and maritime destinations. "

Looking forward to working with United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and to make this event a success!

Full article:

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/news-and-events/article/two-brand-new-host-ports-announced-for-the-clipper-2027-28-race

21/07/2026

Great list from Waypoints Yacht Charters! See you on the water!

16/07/2026

30/06/2026

472 votes decided the 2018 primary election. Make your vote one of them. 2 days left to register to vote! To get a seat at the table, the marine industry needs voters at the polls.

Register at vivote.gov

29/06/2026

3 days left! Don't be caught on the sidelines without a vote! Your voice matters - use it!

Registration deadline is July 2! One week left to register to vote in the August 1 Primary Election! Make sure your voice is heard. Already registered? Make sure to check your voter status to make sure it is active and correct.

How important is the primary? In 2024 just 2,595 of 20,350 (12.75%) registered voters turned out for the Primary. In 2022, 7,064 of 34,697 (20.4%) of voters turned out.

Remember: You must have a party affiliation on your voter registration (Democrat/Republican/ICM) to vote in that party’s primary.

Your vote can make a difference. Your vote is the industry’s vote. Get out the

https://app.vivote.gov/registration

https://www.vipca.org/2026-elections/