PROGRAMS AT OHPRI

As Rhode Island's flagship and tall ship ambassador, SSV Oliver Hazard Perry offers a variety of programming to serve all citizens of the Ocean State. Select a program below to learn more and see where we'll be going for our 2024 season! To enroll or for more info, contact Educational Programs Manager, Holly Buresh for more details and to register:  info@ohpri.org

Perry Corps

High School Students in 2023-2024 School Year!

Previous high school student working from a bosun’s chair.

The Perry Corps Program takes High School students and prepares them to be members of the 21st century workforce. Participants experience after school, single day, and overnight programming on Rhode Island’s Flagship, the Sailing School Vessel (SSV) OLIVER HAZARD PERRY. The program takes place while dockside, underway, and at satellite sites including the United States Maritime Resource Center’s (USMRC) facilities in Middletown, RI. Perry Corps training consists of a mix of standards-based, industry curriculum, industry exposure, and hands on skills application. These US Coast Guard approved courses include Basic Training, Fast Rescue Boat Training, Leadership and Teamwork Skills, Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch, and Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch while completing several Standards of Training Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) competencies. Throughout their time aboard, participants learn the operations of the SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY and utilize their new skills and knowledge to complete work onboard. Incorporated into their experience, trainees serve as stewards for OHPRI’s broad community by sharing their experience and knowledge about the ship and the organization. For more information, please contact Holly Buresh, Educational Programs Manager, at hollyb@ohpri.org.

Introduction to Marine Navigation

February Break 2024!

Learn all about navigation aboard Rhode Island’s Flagship the SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY! Spend your week diving deep into the charts learning how to use the tools to navigate on water. This course is funded through the All-Course Network so all students will receive High School credit for completing this course.

Throughout their time aboard, participants learn the operations of the SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY along with the navigation skills required of any Master (captain) of any vessel. Incorporated into their experience, trainees serve as stewards for OHPRI’s broad community by sharing their experience and knowledge about the ship and the organization. For more information, please contact Holly Buresh, Educational Programs Manager, at hollyb@ohpri.org.

Introduction to Marine Engineering

Spring Break 2024!

 

Learn all about the exciting career of a marine engineer aboard Rhode Island’s Flagship the SSV OLIVER HAZARD PERRY! Sign aboard and crawl from stem to stern, down in the engine room and up aloft too. Students will complete professional mariner credentialing assessments and receive a completion certificate that can be used for professional licensure.

Incorporated into their experience, trainees serve as stewards for OHPRI’s broad community by sharing their experience and knowledge about the ship and the organization. For more information, please contact Holly Buresh, Educational Programs Manager, at hollyb@ohpri.org.

DEM RI Boaters Safety Courses

Spring 2024

All boaters born after January 1, 1986 must have a boater safety card to operate on RI waters. Now is your chance to get yours!
This is a NASBLA certified basic boater safety class.

Course topics covered:
Know Your Boat – Parts of a boat, types hulls, types of engines and important terminology for understanding boat operation
Before You Get Underway -Preparing for your day on the water and staying safe.
Boat Safety Equipment – How to use it correctly
Operating Your Vessel Safely- Docking, operating in open water, rules of the road, using the Marine VHF
Legal Requirements of Boating- Titles, registration, environmental rules and responsibilities, accident reporting
Emergencies Afloat – What To Do and how to mitigate the risks.
Other types of water sports and safety: kayaking, paddle boarding, PWC’s

Classes will be offered on February 10th, March 9th, and April 13th 8:30 am to 5 pm.

For more information and to register, reach out to Phyllis Detwiler at psdetwiler@gmail.com.

PREVIOUS & ONGOING PROGRAMS

New program run by the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society!

BirthRiteRI is the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society’s (RIBHS) educational outreach program for high school juniors and seniors. Over two years, participants are guided through a rich and immersive exploration of career possibilities, ‘adulting’ skills, and African Heritage and Indigenous history. This initiative serves as an integral part of RIBHS’ comprehensive plan to empower students of color through a range of transformative and fun experiences.

The BirthRiteRI approach is to help students understand how the landscape, institutions, and folkways of African Heritage and Indigenous peoples were and are present in Rhode Island. Equally important is to learn how to apply their newfound knowledge and experience to the skills, resources, and acumen needed to survive in the contemporary world. A carefully selected group of community-based partners will provide a glimpse into their specific communities through a service provider lens. This program is free of charge to all participants.

For more information, please contact Danielle Lee, RIBHS Youth Program Coordinator, at danielle.lee@riblackheritage.org or Holly Buresh, OHPRI Educational Programs Manager, at hollyb@ohpri.org.

Maritime Careers Training Program

Previous program participants going through their aloft safety training.

Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island, in partnership with CCRI, will be offering a 20-day training program that looks to increase ocean literacy, provide basic marine manufacturing experience, and help students find career opportunities in both afloat and ashore career tracks. Hands-on training will include marine systems, basic maritime electrical, diesel/gasoline engines, plumbing, hydraulics, carpentry, OSHA maritime, and rigging. Participants will also receive STCW Basic Training. Graduates that complete this program can expect to begin careers as Merchant Mariners, Boat Builders, Production Workers, Industrial Painters, Marine Techs, Marine Electronics Installers, Shrink Wrappers, Wind Maintenance Techs and more. Professional development and employer career fair will help ensure graduates success in this career focused training program.

 

Details:

  • Time Commitment: Full-time for 4 weeks, Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for a total of 20 days.
  • Program Price: Free
    • Value of Training: ~$7,000
  • Program Start Date: TBD
  • Program Location: Newport, RI

BIPOC Maritime History

Come aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry for the week to try your hand at basic navigation and seamanship while learning more about BIPOC Maritime History of our surrounding waters.
Register Here
 Questions? Contact info@ohpri.org

Year round programs targeting high school students, underemployed adults, and veterans, culminating with an intensive month long experience aboard Oliver Hazard Perry.

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Named in honor of the United States Navy’s first female Program Manager of Ships, OHPRI’s Raye Montague STEAM Initiative provides hands-on experiences for K-12 and university-level students.

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Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to provide innovative and empowering education-at-sea programs to promote personal and professional growth.