More than three dozen “hostages” walked the plank in Hamilton Harbour today to help raise funds for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.

The event on Front Street returned after a two-year hiatus and attracted a sizeable crowd as 40 volunteers went overboard from the Spirit of Bermuda as the charity reignited its popular Pirates of Bermuda fundraiser for residential youth voyages.

The Sloop Foundation said funds raised at the event would support the relaunch of its educational programmes in September.

Martha Kirkland, the chairwoman of the charity’s board, said: “We have raised enough money to give us further incentive to relaunch our student programme in the fall.

“It is very encouraging support … it was very good support because we have exceeded our budget.”

Ms Kirkland added: “We’re really pleased with the turnout because we’ve had so much engagement from the community.

“The young and old came. Some return ‘hostages’ but mostly new hostages came out this year.

“The support from the community has been phenomenal and we’re very pleased with how the event went today.

“We thank all the hostages who contributed and got wet today.”

The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, who took part in the event, said: “It is always a very positive experience”.

“I have done it a few times before but the water is not as cold as it was a couple of years ago,” he added.

“The work of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation is really amazing in terms of the experience it gives young people in our community.

“I fully endorse what they stand for. I spent nine months on a sail ship as a young man and the value of teamwork and living with everyone, working together and experiencing nature — it’s a completely invaluable kind of experience to have.”

Bishop Dill — who wore an angel costume — said he took part in the event in memory on his late father.

He added: “Every year I try to do something which is a little different, usually with a biblical theme.

“I’ve appeared as Jonah with an inflatable whale. I’ve been Moses parting the Red Sea. I tried to do Peter walking on the water, so this year I’m an angel.”

Jelani Scott, his son, Jemani, and daughter, Zakhya, were first-time participants at the event.

Mr Scott said he took part in the event in memory of his late grandfather who “was a big part of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation”.

He added: “Because of that it was only right that we participate and contribute to the cause.”

Riki Teteina, the principal of Somersfield Academy, said he was involved in a similar programme with the Spirit of New Zealand sail ship as a teenager.

He added: “To me it changed my life … the opportunity to be on a boat is good for all students.”

Mr Teteina came to support the event because the charity’s programme offered valuable experiences for students.

Carol Swainson, the head of Bermuda High School, said: “It was absolutely amazing to be out here today.”

She and Paul Bennet — the new deputy head of BHS — were among the first “hostages” to take the plunge.

Ms Swainson said: “The Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s programme is absolutely amazing. It is so good for the students to understand physics, sailing and so forth.

“I wanted to make sure I supported it and hope our BHS girls will get to be on the programme again.”

Mr Bennet, who moved to the island this month, said: “I feel very excited, it’s my very first community event since I moved to Bermuda.

“I’ve only been here two weeks and it’s really great to meet some awesome people and support this fantastic charity.”

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation was founded in 1996 by Malcolm Kirkland, Alan Burland and Jay Kempe.

The charity is emerging from well documented financial challenges to keep the Spirit of Bermuda programmes going.

Ms Swainson said she was hopeful that the community, including those “with the capacity” would support the charity in carrying out its programmes in the years ahead.

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