TREASURE COAST BOATING
YOUTH BOATING
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working with them on land. “It’s not like getting in a car
and driving,” he says. “They get in a sailboat on the water,
and they might make a couple of mistakes. But, it’s not a
big deal. Not like it is in a car. On the water you have a little
more leeway.”
The ship is sponsoring membership for four underprivileged
children. “The first day, they were afraid to get on the
boat,” says Schmitt. “Then, they didn’t want to drive. By the
end of the day, they didn’t want to get off of the wheel.”
Schmitt and nine other adults help lead the kids on outings
such as camping on the Indian River Lagoon spoil islands or
at Fort Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area. They have also participated
in the Christmas Boat Parade, Waterway Cleanup
and Blessing of the Fleet. Schmitt says, “We’ve had a lot of
people donate boats to us over the years.” The ship occupies
a building on the Pelican Yacht Club property and currently
>>
ED DRONDOSKI
Knot tying is just one of the many lessons that the Sea Scouts are taught by
the Ship’s current skipper, Jerry Schmitt.
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