In its 19th year of operation and the only one of its kind in Africa, The Lawhill Maritime Centre offers a maritime education programme for over 120 students in grades 10 to 12. The school receives no state funding, with the majority of its students coming from under-privileged homes, and so it depends heavily on the maritime industry for assistance. Nautic South Africa recently donated R50 000 to this heartening and worthy cause.
Situated directly opposite and in association with Simon’s Town High School, The Lawhill Maritime Centre provides lodging and classes for its students. In addition to the traditional high school subjects taught at Simon’s Town High School, it offers students two extra specialised subjects: maritime economics and nautical science. The centre’s objectives are twofold: to stimulate maritime awareness among the youth, equipping them for the shipping industry; and to provide the industry with high-quality, skilled employees.
Eddie Noble, Project Director for Nautic South Africa’s Vessel Operations Management team, recently visited Lawhill to hand over the cheque to the principal, Brian Ingpen, who accepted the donation with gratitude. The money will go towards a much-needed new Web site, photo scanner and audio visual equipment for the centre’s large common room area.
“The Lawhill School embraces the exact same values and desires as Nautic. Both organisations strive to invest in our future: Lawhill gives the learners an opportunity to grow and prosper in the maritime environment, and Nautic strives to create the maritime environment for the kids,” says Noble. The company is passionate about attracting local skill and has invited students to visit the factory to watch and learn how the boats are built.
Credits: Eddie Noble, Project Director for Nautic South Africa’s Vessel Operations Management Team
