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Instead of holding auctions or vying for corporate sponsorship, the nonprofit organization supports itself through public support and a full range of donations. Donations include everything from canoes to a 165 foot yacht, a condominium in Spain, stocks and bonds, cars, airplanes, and even property in Belize. Still, due to the nature of the institute, boats remain the largest category of donated items. Over the past quarter century, the national institute has received more than 10,000 donated boats. Since its initiation, the Seattle office has acquired more than 250 vessels that have generated $1.2 million in sales. Conway said that about half the gross is used for upfront cash on sales, broker fees and fund raising. AIMS Vary AIMS is a flexible institution. According to AIMS education programs director Chris Burt of Whidbey Isalnd, the staff works with organizations such as the Girl Scouts, the YMCA, school groups and “at risk” youth groups to develop an individualized curriculum. Burt, who holds a master’s degree in education and a Coast Guard 50 Ton Masters License, said that AIMS sometimes simply provides the boat, the captain and the engineer. Beyond providing vessels from its current fleet of operating boats, the organization offers the community the use of other resources, such as marine biology tools and water quality monitoring equipment. In addition, AIMS can provide outdoor gear for participants -- including PFDs, tents, gear bags, boots and foul weather gear. Other times, Burt helps design programs. “The beauty is that it’s a unique collaborative partnership,” Burt said. “The program is tailored to each group’s or teacher’s needs. This way, it is more meaningful and the onboard, real-life learning can dovetail with the existing curriculum or service goals.” AIMS programs fall into one of three categories: The Beginning Sailing program provides afternoon instruction for youths of all ages. Sailing from local harbors, youths earn a certificate of completion. The Service Learning and Experiential Education for Youth program focuses on community service projects, hands-on education and extended marine adventure trips with academic credit. For example, last year, a Langley Middle School eighth grade class participated in a weeklong San Juan Islands sailing expedition. Sponsored by the South Whidbey School District and AIMS, the students helped plan the majority of the expedition. This marine adventure combined rigorous academic coursework with a service-learning project with Washington State Parks. On Jones Island, students worked with rangers to rebuild park facilities. The flotilla consisted of 26 students, seven kayaks, two sailboats (John Stone’s 52 foot Cutty Sark and Jim Taylor’s 60 foot Sophia Christina) and two AIMS power boats (the 56 foot Kita Sunshine and the 52 foot Ta Shing Wohin). AIMS contributed the use of Sunshine to carry student gear, scuba gear and kayaks -- and to teach marine biology and navigation. Daily excursions are AIMS’ third type of program. These short, half-day trips on salt or fresh water tend to focus on introducing youths to the marine environment. They usually involve boating safety instruction, basic navigation, and local geography and history. In addition, AIMS operates extended programs that often last for as long as six weeks.
Last summer, AIMS embarked on a new partnership program to provide
services for “at risk” youth. The Department of Labor awarded AIMS a $100,000
grant to develop and run three, seven-week programs for Seattle youths. AIMS
also provided three vessels for each of the sessions.
AIMS High “When we get kids with learning problems, they can be self-centered, unruly and negative at the outset,” said Conway, a former elementary school teacher. “Throughout the session, we see a transformation to friendly, self-assured kids who can give presentations in front of a group.” “It really doesn’t matter the length of the adventure; we always see huge changes in students’ self-esteem,” Conway added. “After working in a group and experiencing success, they feel capable and competent.” For the staff at AIMS, which includes Conway, Burt, engineer/educator Adrian Brown, sailing instructor Igor Nitchipor as well as three fund-raisers, it is this individual growth that makes their jobs exciting. Brown, a licensed captain in the United Kingdom and a former math and physics teacher, said his greatest reward is helping people do something they would not normally be able to do. “I am a boating nut, and I preach safety awareness on the water,” Brown said. He donates far more time and energy to the institute than his paycheck reflects. Conway noted that as an educator she wants to impart something important to kids and society. “Besides,” she added, “boating is just fun.” Burt, who also works as an adjunct professor of education at Western Washington University, noted that the marine environment offers a powerful learning experience. “Kids will sometimes say that they don’t remember anything about middle school except their trip with AIMS,” Burt said with a smile. “It feels good to help create a real life learning experience that involves working with hands-on activities on little expeditions.”
AIMS Future Other groups often use AIMS vessels for a variety of meetings and courses. Indeed, Conway said that AIMS has become so well known that the organization receives many calls a day from groups looking to schedule an AIMS vessel or program. There is currently a waiting list.
In an effort to meet burgeoning demand, AIMS continues to
raise funds. Working with brokers and individuals, the fund-raising staff
provides boat owners with an opportunity to donate their boats and reap hefty
tax benefits while charitably giving. After a seller appraises his tax needs,
he is offered cash up front from For example, if you sell your boat with a fair market value of $50,000 to a charity for $10,000 and you’re allowed a deduction for all or part of the $40,000 gift, you have made a bargain sale. After boats are purchased, Brown repairs and services the vessels. He often repairs engines and brings these often-neglected vessels up to basic safety requirements. While Conway underscored that “anything of tangible value can be donated,” the ideal boat donation is diesel powered, in good shape and 40 feet or longer. Most donated boats see duty and larger boats, those that can carry 10 to 12 passengers, are most attractive to AIMS. Good examples of successful recent donations include two power boats: a 42 foot Californian and a 42 foot Uniflite. More than 90 percent of donated boats are power vessels. Conway stressed that AIMS offers a win-win situation, not only for participants, but also for boaters and dealers. Given that future AIMS expansion depends on fund-raising, she explained that boaters should be aware that donating boats is a viable alternative to selling a vessel, especially when the boat has been on the market for some time with no buyers. Besides gaining awareness of the programs and the donation possibilities, AIMS invites boaters to contribute to the institute’s “wish list.” “We need a pair of 3,500 watt inverters, celestial navigation training equipment, GPS receivers and compasses,” Brown said. “A 172 pound Bruce anchor and outboard engines would be grand as well.”
CONTACT: American Institute of Marine Studies (AIMS);
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