A vessel that played a key role in the education of many young Bermudians will be “less active” in the year ahead as operators consider her future.

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation said that consideration will likely have to be given to selling the Spirit of Bermuda if “a clear and sustainable path cannot be found”.

It added: “It is not realistic to continue to attempt to run an operation of BSF’s magnitude and complexity without adequate and secure sources of funding.”

The news was announced after Spirit spent ten weeks at the Lunenburg Shipyard in Nova Scotia, Canada, for her five-year inspection and safety certification.

The charity said that the vessel’s American Bureau of Shipping certification was a necessity moving forward and was made possible thanks to “generous donations from loyal supporters”.

It added that problems including rising costs, increasing compliance, an ageing vessel and a change in donations has forced it to review its plans.

The BSF has struggled to weather a storm of financial issues for about a year.

The group announced in April that it could no longer afford to continue Spirit’s five-day residential voyages after June 30.

The Bermuda Government urged the private sector to help the foundation with costs for Spirit’s ABS certification.

The BSF said that the vessel “will be less active for the coming year but professionally maintained as she awaits her next chapter”.

It added: “If a clear and sustainable path cannot be found, then selling Spirit will likely have to be considered.”

The charity said that schools were still keen to continue Spirit’s five-day residential programme, in which young people take to the seas for maritime and Steam education.

However, the BSF said: “Now, the next step is to embark on a strategic redesign to explore alternatives for a sustained model to serve Bermuda’s youth.

“This process will be conducted in conjunction with a professionally-led feasibility study addressing Bermuda’s appetite and ability to provide the necessary funding for future programmes on a secure and sustainable basis.”

The BSF said it hoped to return to delivering educational programmes by next September.

It added: “In the meantime, there is much to consider and review, and new volunteers at all levels are required.

“BSF continues to believe an authentic public-private partnership, as happened in its early days, is likely the best way forward to save Spirit for future generations of Bermuda’s youth.”