Staff of Butterfield & Vallis are anxiously counting the days before they embark on an ocean crossing aboard the sail training vessel Spirit of Bermuda.

Some of them will sail from Bermuda to New York City, while others will compete aboard the triple-masted sloop in the 645 nautical mile Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race.

Jim Butterfield, the Butterfield and Vallis CEO, has chartered Spirit for two primary reasons: to offer his staff a “once-in-a-lifetime trip” and also support the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s award-winning character development programme using Spirit as a classroom.

“We wanted to provide the opportunity to those in the company to enjoy the adventure and challenge of crossing this small part of the Atlantic Ocean,” Mr Butterfield explained. “For many it will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“It is also a nice way to support the Bermuda Sloop Foundation. Without the support of individuals, companies, and corporations there would be no Spirit of Bermuda and we now know for certain that this ship and the programme is highly successful.

“It is one that most of us at Butterfield & Vallis support in a big way and encourage other individuals and companies to support, and we learn from the students of the many benefits — this is education at sea.”

Spirit will set sail for New York on June 4. While in the Big Apple, representatives of the Bermuda Tourism Authority will get the opportunity to test their sea legs sailing around the harbour for two days in the sloop and participate in New Bedford with other historical sailing ships.

The sloop is due to set sail from New York on June 13 to make her way to Marion for the start of the Marion Bermuda Race on June 19.

It is the second straight year that Mr Butterfield has chartered Spirit for an ocean race having done so last year for the Newport to Bermuda Race or “Thrash to the Onion Patch”.

“Newport to Bermuda was a blast,” the former Olympic rower said. “The pre-race activities in Newport, Rhode Island, are wonderful as is the small, historical town itself.

“The camaraderie, calm seas, watching dolphins and Cahows escorting Spirit of Bermuda back to St George’s Light was enjoyed by all — although perhaps somewhat frustrating for those looking for a faster, rougher ride.”

Coincidentally, Mr Butterfield and Spirit are both making their second appearance in the Marion Bermuda Race this year.

The Butterfield & Vallis senior executive won Class “A” honours on Ayesha, a Cal 48, in 1979. “Getting out of Buzzards Bay is the challenge — Newport is so close to the open ocean,” Mr Butterfield added.

“Getting out of the Bay into open ocean is a challenge, especially on a ship like the Spirit of Bermuda.”

Spirit made her Marion to Bermuda Race debut in 2013 when another local businessman Preston Hutchings chartered the iconic sloop.

On that occasion Spirit, the sole entry in the new Classic Yacht Division, led the Bermuda fleet across the finish line off St David’s Head in an elapsed time of fours days, 13 hours, 33 minutes and 20 seconds.

Spirit is one of two Bermuda entries registered for this year’s race. Once again she finds herself all alone in the Classic Yacht Division, while Paul Hubbard’s Bermuda Oyster is the sole local entry in the Founder’s Division.

The inaugural Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race was held 1977 and saw 104 starters cross the line.

The biennial event is jointly organised by the Beverly Yacht Club, Blue Water Sailing Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.