"Concordia", one of the world`s Tall Ships, is making its second visit to UQ's Heron Island Research Station with a group of Canadian high school students.
The ship anchored off Heron Island for two days in order for the students to engage in an educational program developed by Jenny Sutton and Dave Harris of the Centre for Marine Studies.
The last time Concordia visited Heron Island was in 1996 and while Heron Island Research Station has visits from high school students, undergraduates and researchers from 20 different nations, the "class afloat" high school students on Concordia are unique in having their curriculum dictated by the trade winds.
The ship weighs 495 tonnes and is 57.5 metres long with three masts.
Concordia circles the world every year, with groups of Canadian high school students who both study and crew the vessel under supervision of an international crew of professional sailors.
Last year's cruise centred on the Mediterranean and this year it is to visit Theroux`s "Happy Isles of Oceania".
Concordia anchored 1km off shore of Heron Island and the students were taken in groups ashore to take part in lectures by UQ Centre for Marine Studies staff. They were also taken on coral reef walks, snorkelling and turtle-watching trips.
Ted Upton, Station Manager, said: "Both high school and undergraduate groups coming here have a unique opportunity to not only be involved in classroom studies but also to experience one of the world`s most beautiful environments at first hand.
"Concordia students' experiences reflect those of many young people studying here that not only do they gain academic advantage but also major life skill development."
Dave Logan, Lab Manager responsible for Scientific Services on Heron Island, said "Concordia" was the most majestic vessel he had seen in these waters.
Cameron Fralik, one of the students on board Concordia, said:
"The students, when sailing, have classes from 9am to 8pm. This includes assisting as crew members under professional supervision. All students boarded the vessel in the middle of August and will disembark in Bali on December 18.
"Second semester starts on 1 February 2004 and finishes in late June. There will be 48 students in 2004, now there are 33 students.
Cameron said: "It is a great way to study - I`m taking a gap year off between high school and college and I`ve visited over 20 countries in the 9 months of sailing. It`s been a great way to experience other cultures and ways of life."
