Marine Vocational Program ( M.V.P.)

The Marine Vocation Program is one of NBE's Charitable Activities

The United States Virgin Islands is home to some of the best sports fishing in the world. The abundance of fish, the beautiful waters, and the perfect climate draw thousands of visitors each year to enjoy our seas. NBE recognized a need to introduce students on the island of St. Thomas to the Marine Industry.

To fill this void NBE in conjunction with Caribbean Rose and the Virgin Islands Department of Education, established the Marine Vocational Program (MVP) to teach sports fishing skills to high school students on the island of St. Thomas, USVI.

Several students to date have received certificates for their participation and completion of the course. Interested high school students, on the island of St. Thomas, can contact their Guidance counselor about the program. To view the course description, click here.

Each session of the program will include four to five high school students. Those students will be enrolled in six sessions, each session will be focusing on a different aspect of sports fishing. Each student must be able to swim. One adult chaperone, also with the ability to swim, must accompany the students during each session. The adult chaperone will be provided by either the school or Caribbean Rose, Inc.

The instruction takes place at the American Yacht Harbor, St Thomas Virgin Islands, aboard the Marlin Prince. Each session will be designed to focus on an aspect of sports fishing, including tackle options, selection and use, boat maintenance, options, selection and preparation of baits, and fishing techniques. Students will be introduced to various species of fish, found both inshore and in the deep sea. The sessions will take place on either Saturdays or Sundays, depending on the weather, and will take place over a number of months, as different aspects 0f the sport must be enjoyed and learned at different times.

Charitable Activities

Caribbean Rose would like to congratulate Hector Baly. Hector Baly was one of our recent Marine Vocational Program (M.V.P.) graduates in the 2019-2020 academic school year. He was also an assistant instructor aboard the Marlin Prince during that time. He graduated from the Seventh-Day Adventist School on the island of Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I. I appreciation of all his hard work, Caribbean Rose awarded him with a $1,000.00 scholarship to the University of the Virgin Islands. He plans on studying Mechanical Engineering and Business at U.V.I. "Thanks again for all your hard work and enthusiasm !!", Captain Eddie Morrison.

Spring 2022 M.V.P. Season

06/19/2022 - NBE proudly announces that several students graduated from the Spring 2022 Marine Vocational Program (M.V.P.). Their names are Eden-Ahle Baptiste, D'kai Blake, Mauriismo Francis, Ari-El Joshua, and D'andre Thomas. Due to the pandemic, several courses between 2021 - 2022 were canceled. This spring the U.S.V.I. lifted all Covid-related restrictions making it possible to have the M.V.P. this semester. NBE in conjunction with Caribbean Rose worked together with the local Department of Education to recruit students for the Marine Vocational Program every year. The MVP is a 6-week course. Kindly visit our Course Description page to view the complete curriculum.

5/24/2022 - Neltjeberg Bay Enterprises is proud to announce that several students that are currently enrolled in the Spring 2022 Marine Vocational Program were recently inducted into the school’s Trailblazers Chapter of the National Honor Society. Ten students in grades 10 through 12 from St. Thomas - St. John Seventh-day Adventist School were recently inducted into the school’s Trailblazers Chapter of the National Honor Society. Attending the ceremony were academic counselor Clare Soanes-Webster, front row from left, students Mauriismo Francis, D’Andra Thomas, Nesicha Cardin, Samantha Subratee, Szuri Joshua, Principal Renee Hodge, D’Kai Blake; second row from left, Eden-Ahle Baptiste, Daniela Patterson, Adriana Davis, and Ari-El Joshua. Not pictured is Aleena Salem

5/23/2022 - Neltjeberg Bay Enterprises is proud to announce that several students have graduated from the Spring 2022 Marine Vocation Program. Their names are Eden-Ahle Baptiste, D'kai Blake, Mauriismo Francis, Ari-El Joshua, and D'andre Thomas. This spring the U.S.V.I. lifted all Covid-related restrictions making it possible to have a Marine Vocation Program this semester. Neltjeberg Bay Enterprises in conjunction with Caribbean Rose worked together with the local Department of Education to recruit students for the Marine Vocational Program every year. The MVP Program was held for 5 weeks. Starting April 24, 2022, through May 22, 2022. a graduation ceremony will be held next weekend for all graduates.

Captain Eddie Morrison teaches all courses aboard the Marlin Prince. Captain Eddie Morrison received several prestigious awards in the territory. He was named Captain of the Year in 2010 by the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament in 2011. He won the First Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2012, he won the Second Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. He placed second in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament in 1995 and 2004 aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2005, he placed third in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament aboard the Marlin Prince.

2021 - 2022 MVP Season

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, no classes will be held for the 2021 - 2022 Academic School Year. Neltjeberg Bay Enterprises in conjunction with Caribbean Rose works together with the local Department of Education to recruit students for the M.V.P (Marine Vocational Program). Most of our former students came from the public school system. Currently, students in the public school system are distant learning this academic school year. The health and safety of students come first. If anything changes we will let everyone know.

All courses are taught by Captain Eddie Morrison aboard the Marlin Prince. Captain Eddie Morrison received several prestigious awards in the territory. He was named Captain of the Year in 2010 by the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament. In 2011. He won the First Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2012, he won the Second Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. He placed second in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament in 1995 and 2004 aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2005, he placed third in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament aboard the Marlin Prince.

2020 - 2021 MVP Season

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no classes were held during the 2020 - 2021 Academic School Year. Neltjeberg Bay Enterprises in conjunction with Caribbean Rose works together with the local Department of Education to recruit students for the M.V.P (Marine Vocational Program). Most of our former students came from the public school system. Currently, students in the public school system are distance learning this academic school year. The health and safety of students come first.

2019 - 2020 MVP Season

Caribbean Rose is proud to announce that four students graduated from the 2019-2020 MVP (Marin Vocational Program) season on 2/10/2020. The students are Angelica Sterling, Amarah Creque, Darren Hodge, and Hector Baly. Hector Baly will receive a scholarship to further his education. There were six classes in total. To view the course description click here.

2018 - 2019 MVP Season

NBE is proud to announce that seven students graduated from the MVP (Marin Vocational Program) on 1/27/2019. There were six classes in total. To view the course description click here. The students are Andre Benjamin, Makani Lewis, Mauricio Francis, Mwamini Frett, Wilah-Marie Baptiste, Hector Baley, and Alia Laws. All students currently attend the St. Thomas/ St. John Seventh-day Adventist School.

All courses are taught by Captain Eddie Morrison aboard the Marlin Prince. Captain Eddie Morrison received several prestigious awards in the territory. He was named Captain of the Year in 2010 by the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament In 2011. He won the First Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2012, he won the Second Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. He placed second in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament in 1995 and 2004 aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2005, he placed third in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament aboard the Marlin Prince.

2017 - 2018 MVP Season

On September 6, 2017, category 5 Hurricane Irma devastated the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. On September 20, 2017, another category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Maria, also hit both regions. The Marlin Prince, the boat used for training, was damaged. Public schools throughout the territory were also damaged. Because of this, the 2017 - 2018 had to be postponed. The MVP (Marine Vocational Program) will be back for the 2018-2019 season. Several past students have benefited from the skills learned from the MVP (Marine Vocational Program). Here is a testimonial from one of our previous students:

"I enrolled in the Marlin Prince’s MVP program on the recommendation of my high school Marine Industry teacher. It proved to be one of the best decisions I have made thus far in my short life. The program itself was both fun and life-altering. With the expertise of Capt. Eddie Morrison and his then-first mate and son Travis Morrison, my classmates, and I were transformed from novices into professional anglers, marine maintenance specialists, and small-time captains. The exercises conducted ranged from drying the boat, learning to set up lines and waxing to fishing (with the same lines we rigged), and learning to dock the 24’ “little sister” boat the “Marlin, etc..” It was a thoroughly fulfilling experience to be able to participate in such a program.

However, it does not end there.

Due to my involvement in the MVP program, I was able to secure multiple jobs in & around the marine industry. Ranging from apprenticing with an experienced marine painter for an extended period to a short stint with a veteran marine diesel mechanic. I am currently employed with IGY Marinas American Yacht Harbor, employment which I can say is a direct result of my participation in the MVP program. Before enrolling in the MVP program, I had never set foot on a sports fishing boat or any boat except the public ferries. Now I aspire to one day traverse the seas on my vessel, that is how profoundly the MVP program has influenced my life."

-D.Carroll

5-29-2018

2015 - 2016 MVP Season

For the 2015 - 2016 season, five high school students received their certification in the course. Their names are Malachi Quetel, Ateyal Gordon, K'Von Joseph, Jamil Berthier & Davar Carroll. Classes were held on November 7, 2015, November 21, 2015, December 5, 2015, December 19, 2015, January 9, 2016, and January 23, 2016. Graduation was held on March 6, 2016.

All courses are taught by Captain Eddie Morrison aboard the fishing vessel the Marlin Prince. Captain Eddie Morrison received several prestigious awards in the territory. He was named Honorary Captain of the Year in 2010 by the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament. In 2011, he won the First Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2012, he won the Second Annual Billfish Tournament for Haiti aboard the Marlin Prince. He placed second in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament in 1995 and 2004 aboard the Marlin Prince. In 2005, he placed third in the Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament aboard the Marlin Prince.

If you are a high school student interested in the MVP (Marine Vocational Program) on the island of St. Thomas, contact any guidance counselor at the Charlotte Amalie or Ivanna Eudora Kean High School about the program. For more information, feel free to contact Captain Eddie Morrison at 340-693-5929.