img9530Newport, RI: The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), an accredited and federally funded vocational school and center for maritime restoration, has expanded its continuing education program with course offerings for both marine-industry professionals and qualified restoration enthusiasts.

IYRS, which runs a two-year program in classic yacht restoration for full-time students, has offered workshops for enthusiasts for several years. Courses for marine professionals were added for the fall term after a period of fact-finding in the United States and Canada. A survey on training needs was sent to some 800 boat builders and yards. Survey results, complemented by conversations with key industry people, were used to develop the program.

"Boatyards who hire our full-time students continually send us positive feedback not only on our graduates' strong technical skills, but on traits that may be harder to teach: placing a high value on craftsmanship and quality, and having true enthusiasm for the work they do," said Terry Nathan, president of IYRS. "We want to extend that education to more people in the marine field, particularly those who cannot attend a full-time program."

IYRS is known for its maritime preservation and restoration efforts, including transforming a once-abandoned section of waterfront into its campus and restoring a fleet of classic yachts. The courses for marine professionals will have a broader focus, including instruction in boatbuilding and maintenance skills that can be applied to classic and modern craft. Other courses will focus on systems, engines, electronics, project management, and finishing techniques using coatings and paints.

"In the marine industry, finding the skilled trades people necessary to fill our positions has been--and continues to be--the most significant challenge," said Gerry DiSchino, president of Hinckley Yacht Services (Portsmouth, R.I.). "Initiating a continuing education program at a premier venue like IYRS will be welcomed by the entire industry here in New England."

Courses will be taught by both IYRS instructors and outside experts. Program Associate Jay Picotte, an IYRS graduate who is managing the continuing education program, has worked with instructors to develop the curriculum.

Among the faculty for the fall term are: Walter Ansel, a senior shipwright at Mystic Seaport; Ron Ackman of Oldport Marine Services; Paul Coble, marine architect and NAMS-certified marine surveyor; Clark Poston, master shipwright and IYRS program director; master boat builder Dan deLeiris; Aaron Jasper of Jasper & Bailey Sailmakers; IYRS President Terry Nathan; business consultant Steven Nigren, managing director of Allstate Management Associates, Inc.; and blacksmith Walter Scadden, who teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

"IYRS is a unique place. It's a vocational school, but people don't come here just to get job skills: they really come to fulfill a passion for classic boats and boat building," said Picotte. "When I went in search of outside experts to serve as teachers in the continuing ed program, I knew I had to find the right people--instructors who are known and respected for their trade."

The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) was founded in 1993. Since the school's founding, students in the Certificate Program in Yacht Restoration have restored a fleet of over 75 classic boats--from small prams to larger yachts such as Concordia Yawls and various Nathanael Herreshoff and George Lawley yachts. The school's current flagship project is the restoration of the 133' schooner yacht Coronet, launched in 1885.

IYRS's continuing education courses and its lecture program are two ways the public can take advantage of the expertise available through IYRS. The school's preservation efforts also run to the land-based maritime structures on its waterfront campus, which is open year-round to the public. Some 20,000 people visit the campus each year.

Continuing education courses are scheduled for evenings and weekends and begin in early September. Most classes will be held at the IYRS campus in Newport. Sessions that require special equipment not available at the school will be held at Hinckley Yacht Services in Portsmouth.

For course descriptions, visit the IYRS website at www.iyrs.org. To request a course catalogue and/or registration information, contact Program Associate Jay Picotte (401-848-5777/ [email protected]).