The is on track to arrive in time for Cup Match, the Bermuda Sloop Foundation (BSF) said this week.

At a meeting at the Bermuda College, BSF chairman Alan Burland said the was expected to be launched by its shipbuilders in Maine in early July.

?We have a commitment that it will be no later than July 13,? Mr. Burland said. ?We are planning to deliver her to Bermuda in early August and then she can get into school programmes in September.?will be used by the Ministry of Education and Bermuda College to help students work on their technical skills.

Three companies, Holmes William & Purvey (HWP), Cable & Wireless and Butterfield & Vallis have each donated around $65,000 to , executive director Malcolm Kirkland said.

Jim Butterfield, whose company Butterfield & Vallis is donating a catering galley, said he fully endorsed the programme.

?We just want to be involved in the project,? Mr. Butterfield said. ?It teaches young men about working and getting along together.?

HWP donated an engine room.

?The Sloop Project provides a quality platform for Bermuda?s youth to start this self-development much earlier than is possible in other schemes and in one of the most testing environments possible,? HWP general manager Alan Brooks said.

?The development of home-grown technical skills is pivotal to the continuing success of the Island, as evinced by the coming together of the public and private sectors to drive the project forward.

?It is too good an opportunity to miss.?

Cable & Wireless had donated a navigation station, Mr. Kirkland said.

Five hundred middle school students will participate in one- to five-day learning voyages beginning in September.