“KATS”,  KIDS AND THE SEA St. John, is a non profit marine organization which promotes kids safely having fun on the water, through an educational program taught by volunteers.  By doing so it brings together the Virgin Islands’ greatest human resource - its youth - and its greatest natural resource - the sea. 

Three children tragically lost their lives in a boating  accident on Pillsbury Sound in 1986.  Dr. Teddy Cummings addressed Rotary II St. Thomas - St. John and declared “This must never happen again.”    The marine community and the Universities of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico developed a curriculum that was introduced on St. Thomas in 1987.  The St. John KATS program was established in 1988. 

The program seeks to increase the enjoyment, understanding and safety of youngsters in their relationship with the sea through hands-on experience in boat handling and basic seamanship skills.   It is vital, for reasons of safety, recreation and careers in the marine industry or tourism fields, that an island community’s children be trained on the water.

KATS is entirely supported by the community, individuals and businesses alike.  The three  local yacht clubs --St. John Yacht Club, Nauti Yacht Club & Coral Bay Yacht Club -- host the Commodores’ Cup Regatta annually to raise funds for the organization.  The Coral Bay Yacht Club, in addition, gives proceeds from the Thanksgiving Regatta.  In the month before each of these events, an inflatable dinghy and engine are raffled off.   The students sell tickets, along with local businesses, to help increase our “expense account” for the program, especially for maintaining the fleet of vessels.

KATS ST. JOHN, INC is a not-for-profit and non-discriminatory program.   Tax-exempt contributions may be sent to KATS St. John, 9901 Emmaus, St. John, VI 00830