Apprentice mariner Joshua Powell is off to sea — thanks to a private sector partnership with Government.A cadet trainee radio operator, Mr Powell joins another 20-year-old Bermudian, Vernon Harrison, already aboard the tanker Golar Grand.Shipping business Frontline Limited helped sponsor their stints aboard the company vessel, allowing both men to accrue sea time.Currently in Trinidad and Tobago, the Golar Grand — loaded with liquefied natural gas — is taking the two Bermuda cadets on contracts of several months each.Deputy Pilot Warden Mario Thompson explained the sponsorship is part of an understanding between the National Training Board, Marine and Ports and the private sector, along with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.“For Frontline, it’s a way of giving back to the community,” Mr Thompson said. “Josh is with Marine and Ports, and Vernon is an independent deck hand who’s being partially sponsored by the National Training Board.“This four-month contract will take Josh to the 12 months’ sea time that’s requisite to obtain officer of the watch certification in the UK.“Vernon is currently doing a six-month contract, and by the end of this he’ll have ten months’ deep sea time.”Each man is getting his third tour of duty.Mr Powell has sailed on the Oleander and the cruise ship Pacific Dawn, while Mr Harrison worked on the Bermuda Islander and container ship SSL Europa.Both will continue studies at the UK’s Warsash Maritime Academy in September. In the meantime, Mr Thompson said, their new home at sea will be calling on the US, Chile and South Africa.Useful website: www.marineandports.bm.