The Bermuda Sloop Foundation celebrated its second anniversary with an awards ceremony recognising the hard work of volunteers, sponsors and students.

More than 200 people gathered at the ACE building to mark the second year of operation of the BSF and its sail training ship the Spirit of Bermuda.

Dignitaries present included Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Education Minister El James, Education Commissioner Dr. Henry Johnson and Deputy Speaker Dame Jennifer Smith.

The Spirit of Bermuda has now trained more than 700 Bermudian students, sailed 12,000 miles, completed 38 coastal voyages and visited four countries.

A professional new crew has been hired, consisting of a Marine Superintendent, Senior Captain, First Officer, Education Officer and Catering Officer, and the BSF is looking to expand into more schools plus new office premises in Hamilton.

Future goals include reaching all M3 students, taking part in this year's Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, and completing the mortgage by 2010.

Alan Burland, BSF chairman, said sponsors now number more than 320, and each will be recognised on a plaque to be placed on the sloop.

More than $7.8 million has been raised, with $1.5 million needed to extinguish the mortgage.

At the awards ceremony last Thursday, sponsors PartnerRe and Aspen Insurance were recognised for topping $300,000 in contributions and were presented with cedar-framed signed prints by Eldon Trimingham III.

Twenty-four 'visionary sponsors' were also recognised for donating more than $50,000 at a critical time five years ago when the BSF needed $3,000,000 before signing a contract to build the sloop, on March 15, 2004.

These sponsors were: Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Bermuda Government, General Atlantic Group, ACE Foundation-Bermuda, Butterfield Bank, Fidelity Foundation, BCM McAlpine, Renaissance Re, XL Foundation;

Kitson Group, Clendenen/Hollis/Outerbridge Charitable Trust, Nicholas and Bitten Dill, Peter and Cynthia Kellogg, A.S. Cooper Family, Allied World Assurance Company, Montpelier Re Foundation;

Butterfield and Vallis/White Spruce Investments, William and Margaret Riker, Brian Hall, Robin and Sue Judah;

WP Group, Cable & Wireless, Sail Training Association of Bermuda and the Search and Rescue Unit.

A framed 'Spirit' photograph will be given to all 24 sponsors. Another picture was also presented to Alan Gamble of Purvis Ltd in recognition of the company's donation of office premises in Victoria Place.

Keynote speaker Dr. Johnson spoke on the need for "blended education" and the importance of "experiential learning", both of which feature in the 'expeditionary learning' programmes of Spirit of Bermuda.

Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith then presented the awards before Sir Richard made the closing remarks.

Middle School Awards:

Most Improved Student Award Taffori Burch (Whitney)

Most 'Spirited' Educator Award William Caulder (Dellwood)

Most 'Spirited' Student Award Kristyn Dale (BHS)

Most 'Spirited' School Voyage Award Bermuda Institute Boys

Volunteer Award:

Volunteer of the Year Award Peter Simons

Skiller (mariner) Awards:

Most Improved Skiller Award Vershon Simmons (Adult Education School)

Most Valuable Skiller Award Kristen Greene (Bermuda Institute)

Partner/Collaborator Award:

Most Valuable Partner Marine and Ports Services