PORT TOWNSEND — Blue Heron Middle School fifth-grade students have immersed themselves this week in a program designed to teach maritime knowledge while developing teamwork skills.

The program, taking place at the Northwest Maritime Center and ending today, took place over four successive days, with each class spending 24 hours in an environment that simulated being on a boat at sea.

Under the supervision of Maritime Programs Director Rob Sanderson, who was dressed in a captain’s outfit, students pretended that the center’s classroom was a ship while they ate meals and stood watch.

Each class would arrive at 3 p.m. one day and depart the next day at 2:15 p.m.

“These kids live in a maritime world,” Sanderson said.

“Their backyard is Puget Sound, and we want them to be able to interact with it in a safe way.”

Part of the training included an “abandon ship” exercise, including instructions in how to deal with hypothermia.

Other maritime activities such as boating, chart-reading and navigation helped build self-confidence, Sanderson said.

“You learn to deal with challenges as a team together that build life skills that go beyond maritime activity,” he said.

Along with Sanderson, seven instructor-educators participated along with teachers and chaperones.

The program was made possible by Port Townsend resident Lou Parisi, who contributed nearly $12,000 for its operation.

Parisi’s daughter, Santini, is a Blue Heron fifth-grader.

Parisi saw the need for the program because the Mountain View School had closed, and there were no special programs for the fifth-graders who had been assimilated into Blue Heron.

“When you are in fifth grade, you are starting to define yourself,” she said.

“They are trying to find out who they are, what they are going to do, how are they going to get to the next point, and they are more concerned with themselves and not about working as a team.”

Specific goals were learning how to tie three different knots and name their purpose, perform basic navigation and piloting, name at least one job in the maritime field and perform several team-building challenges.

Part of this was to take over one night watch shift, which required the disruption of the regular sleep routine.

“It was really fun to learn the facts about the history of Port Townsend,” said Maria Morrison, 11.

“The best part was they made a bunch of learning really fun, and they aren’t making us sit down with a history text.

“You are doing stuff that’s all hands-on.”

And the worst part?

“The worst part is that you have to leave,” she said.

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.