The Bermuda Shipping Association yesterday presented a scholarship to Chad Townsell for the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies in Scotland.

And Bermuda-based company Great White Fleet Ltd. -- which is primarily responsible for shipping Chiquita bananas throughout the world -- has pledged to both absorb the cost of Mr. Townsell's sea training and pay a cadet wage.

Mr. Townsell leaves the Island on Saturday to embark on a three-and-a-half-year programme which combines land- and sea-based training to prepare students as second mates.

"It's an international licence where I can work on any merchant ship in the world,'' Mr. Townsell explained. "I hope to make it to captain.'' He said his fascination with ocean-going life began in primary school when he joined the Bermuda Sea Cadets.

And the Berkeley graduate said he later sailed on a two-week voyage from England to France and also spent a lot of time on local tug boats.

But he admitted many of his friends thought he was "crazy'' to pursue an education which could include spending up to six months a year at sea.'' John O'Kelly-Lynch, chairman of The Bermuda Shipping Association, said Great White Fleet last year contacted the organisation about sponsoring a local student.

Mr. O'Kelly-Lynch said the Association then selected Mr. Townsell from candidates proposed by the Bermuda Sea Cadets.

And Richard Latulippe of the Great White Fleet said the company was very excited to have Mr. Townsell as the Bermudian in their training programme.

But Mr. Townsell has a long way to go before maintaining full command of a vessel and crew.

Mr. Latulippe said he would have to spend at least another year before attaining a class two certificate to qualify as a chief officer. He would then have to complete a further two years to qualify for class one status.

Nevertheless, Mr. Latulippe spoke optimistically of Mr. Townsell's future development.

"We are very excited about getting our own candidate in line to be captain of a ship,'' Mr. Latulippe added. "We would love to be able to say we have our own captain.'' OCEAN-BOUND -- John O'Kelly-Lynch president of Atlantic Corporate Management presents a scholarship to Chad Townsell. Also pictured is Richard Latulippe, vice president of Great White Fleet Ltd.

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