Catherine Connolly launches ‘floating classroom’ named after explorer

The President has officiated at the launch of a yacht transformed into a “floating classroom” for young people to explore the ocean.

Catherine Connolly attended the launch ceremony for the Spirit of Shackleton in Dun Laoghaire Plaza on Friday.

The 70ft clipper race yacht will take crews of young people to more than 20 destinations across the Caribbean as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Atlantic Shackleton Global Foundation said the international sailing programme will “educate the next generation of young oceangoing innovators” on the health of the seas.

The programme, named in honour of Co Kildare-born explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, will see more than 350 young people engage with scientists and maritime professionals.

Naomh McElhatton, executive director, Atlantic Shackleton Global Foundation, said: “This is the first step in the realisation of a broader vision to position Ireland as a leader in ocean education, exploration and the development of the blue economy.”

The Spirit of Shackleton has been designed as a multi-functional ocean lab and learning environment to facilitate youth development, marine research, blue-tech integration and Stem education at sea.

The Atlantic Shackleton Global Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which says it is dedicated to empowering young people to confront the world’s “greatest challenges”, with a focus on the oceans “in crisis”.