Staff Update Day 1
Location: West End, Tortola
The staff of Imane can't wait to meet their new crew of students and welcome them aboard! Shona and Mason have been working hard preparing for their arrival over the last few days. All of our PFDs are counted and cleaned, bunks are made, food is stowed, and the lines are made ready to be cast. Our home for the next 21 days is shipshape, and we cannot wait for the eight new shipmates to arrive to complete our Imane family. With a collection of old and new students participating in the Minerva program, we are looking forward to a great wealth of knowledge to be shared and lifelong memories to be made with the crew. Shona and Mason can’t wait to show all of you the beautiful island coves and tropical beaches in the British Virgin Islands, and the six other islands that the Minerva crew will be exploring. For now, we will be waiting patiently for the first students to arrive on the island, soak up the sun, and bring good trade winds our way.
Here is an introduction of the crew on Imane:
Shona: Captain/WEMT
Shona is returning for her fifth summer with ActionQuest and is more excited than ever to return to her second family and the amazing waters of the British Virgin Islands. She graduated in 2013 with a degree in outdoor education and geography. Since then, she has worked in several locations across Europe, applying these skills to promote learning through experiential education. From a young age, she has had a love for the outdoors and all sports, whether that be sailing and kayaking in the summer or snowboarding and mountaineering in the winter. Her goal is to inspire and educate her students in a fun, safe learning environment. Shona holds certifications as an RYA Yachtmaster and Wilderness EMT.
Mason: Mate
Mason started sailing as a middle schooler in the Berkeley Marina with UC Berkeley. As he got older, he went back many times and eventually helped with the teaching of young sailors. Mason went on to sail in the Channel Islands and with ActionQuest in the BVI. As his love for sailing grew, he started looking for ways to make a career of it. This drew him back to ActionQuest and on to a 3-month Seamester voyage. After obtaining the necessary qualifications, he took the 100 ton USCG Masters license exam and now is a licensed captain looking to show others the joy of sailing and adventure. While not at sea, he has a love for reading stories of adventure and exotic places to be explored.