A replica of the historic schooner, graced Bermuda?s shores for nearly a month designed to spark discussions about race relations and to celebrate Heritage Month.

The voyage marked the first time the replica had sailed into international waters and docked in a foreign port. The ship arrived in Bermuda on May 9 after 12 days at sea.

Along for the ride were CedarBridge Academy students Rodrico Bean, 18, and Rajae Woods, 17. The young men said the experience was amazing and one they would never forget.

Both aimed to have nautical futures with Rodrico planning to further his studies to become a ferry pilot or to work on marine engines and Rajae shooting for the 2008 Olympics where he hopes to sail Lasers.

The replica acts as a floating classroom and monument to the millions of people who were transported around the world during the slave trade. The original ship was part of the Atlantic slave trade and also transported other goods. The ship has gone down in history books because of an incident in 1839, which was turned into a memorable movie in the 1990s.was off the coast of Havana in 1839 when 49 slaves picked a lock and overpowered the officers of the ship.

The Africans took control of the ship and ordered the crew to take them home.

By day the sailors complied but unbeknownst to the Africans every night they would turn the ship around and sail back towards the United States.

After two months had passed and eight of the passengers had died, finally dropped anchor off Long Island and the passengers gave themselves over to the US Navy.

But the journey was not over for the Africans. They then endured an 18-month court battle that took them to the US Supreme Court.

Spain, Cuba and much of the US believed they should be handed over to Spain as slaves, but in 1817, Spain had outlawed the importing of slaves to its colonies, including Cuba. Thus, by law the Africans had been illegally captured and transported. Their freedom was granted and many of them worked to earn enough to return to Africa.

The replica ship was open to locals and tourists alike with historical tours and information freely available. The Commission for Unity and Racial Equality also chose to capitalise on the ship?s visit and organise discussions and forums on race relations in the Island that involved .

Education Minister Terry Lister also believed that the ship?s visit would act as a stepping stone and allow the Island broach contentious issues. ?The ship?s visit reminds us of the freedoms won through the struggles of the past and should make us all the more resolute as we face the challenges of the future,? he said.

The ship, unfortunately, left a wake of controversy when it departed the Island?s shores in June after it transpired that it had been granted special permits and law exemptions at the expense of the Bermuda tour boat industry.

Members of the Bermuda Tour Boat Association spoke with inmid May and said that while they had no issue with the spirit of or its visit they thought it was wrong that the Government had granted the ship tax concessions and a fuel rebate. The ship was issued a commercial tour boat licence by the Ministry of Transport without having to pay duty or secure work permits for her mainly foreign crew. It was also subsidised $1,000 a day by the Government.

This meant the ship offered daily tours on Bermuda?s waters at a lower price than any of the local companies. Local companies were left high and dry daily while they saw literally boat loads of people board and sail away.

The Ministry of Finance promised to increase the ?dialogue? with tour boat operators and members of the Senate debated the merit of the Government?s decision.