The principal of a Hamilton private school jumped off sail training ship Spirit of Bermuda into Hamilton Harbour to raise funds for the charity for young people.

Susan Moench of Mount St Agnes Academy raised $3,850 towards her pupils’ Spirit of Bermuda educational voyage as part of the Pirates of Bermuda annual fundraiser.

Ms Moench was due to take part in the event early in March, which was postponed to later in the month due to bad weather.

She was unable to make the rescheduled date, but vowed to do her bit to raise funds in a solo effort.

Ms Moench said: “I believe the entire experience for our students is life altering in that it emphasises the importance of responsibility and team work. I had the opportunity to spend about an hour with the students. I was amazed at how they had adapted to life on the water.

“They had developed a sense of independence knowing that they were responsible for themselves, but also needed to be part of the team effort in facilitating the boat’s sails and ropes.

“I truly believe in what the Spirit of Bermuda programme represents as it takes students from their day-to-day life and immerses them into an environment which encourages them to become more resilient and to strengthen their individual characters.”

Education and programmes manager for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, Lauren Yelle-Simmons, said: “I think it is admirable that she didn’t just let it go and went ahead with it. We appreciate everything that everybody did to support our core programmes including the private schools that raised money for their own schools’ voyage. Without the community involvement we couldn’t continue to do what we are doing.”

The Pirates of Bermuda event was designed to get participants to either walk the plank or be pardoned, depending on the views of people who donate cash.

Ms Moench took the plunge earlier this month at Albuoy’s Point in Hamilton.

The Pirates of Bermuda event raised $140,000 which will be used to help fund educational voyages aboard the sloop.

The charity’s programmes are based in science, technology, engineering and maths education, character and leadership development through sailing.

The Spirit of Bermuda left for Philadelphia on Friday for a tall ship event.

The ship will have several new watch leader apprentices on board to develop their maritime skills in addition to a group of new trainees.

For more information on the Philadelphia event, visit: sailphiladelphia.org/ships/.