Lunenburg Nova Scotia - All Class Afloat students are now safely ashore in Brazil having been delivered to Rio de Janeiro by the rescuing vessels Crystal Pioneer and Hokuetsu Delight. Class Afloat would like to thank the crews of these two vessels for helping to affect the safe return of all of our students to the shore.
After having spoken with Captain Bill Curry in Rio, our office now confirms that students, teachers and crew were evacuated from the vessel at approximately 14:30 on Wednesday afternoon and had spent an estimated 40 hours in life rafts awaiting their rescue by these two vessels. The vessel was knocked down in a microburst or intense period of sudden wind on Wednesday afternoon.
With the final students on shore Class Afloat is now in the process of working with the Department of Foreign Affairs, its insurers and indeed parents to return all children to their families. Our office continues to be open. The students should be repatriated to their homes around the world in the next 48 to 72 hours. This news will be forthcoming.
Our website, temporarily disabled by high volume should be restored shortly.
The primary task before us now is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our students. The S.V. Concordia has been lost at sea but her safety protocols, training and the lifesaving equipment have allowed for all to come ashore safely. Our shipboard leadership staff from the first semester program have now arrived in Brazil and joined our students.
We appreciate the overwhelming support of our parents, and the alumni community from the last 25 years of our programming.
Nigel McCarthy 902 634 1895