Paradise Group of Companies has become the first business to join the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park's Blue Economy Program, committing $100,000 annually to support maritime training, scholarships and workforce development intended to prepare Virgin Islanders for careers in the territory's marine industry.
The St. Thomas-based company will partner with RTPark, the University of the Virgin Islands and the UVI Center for Excellence in Leadership & Learning (UVI CELL) to develop training opportunities in maritime business management, marine technical services, culinary apprenticeships aboard vessels and supervised sea time toward captain's licensing requirements.
The agreement, announced Tuesday, November 10, marks the first corporate partnership under RTPark's Blue Economy Program, which was approved by the organization's Board of Directors in May 2026.
The program is designed to attract and support businesses involved in marine technology, research, restoration and related industries while connecting their operations with UVI's research capabilities and workforce training resources.
Paradise Group operates several businesses serving the territory's charter yacht industry, including Paradise Yacht Management, Paradise Yacht Clearing, Charter Smarter and Smart Marine Solutions.
The company combines traditional yacht management and charter operations with proprietary software, marine engineering and vessel technology. Its internally developed systems support reservations, billing and marketing, while its marine technology operations integrate vessel monitoring, navigation, communications and energy management.
According to RTPark, Paradise Yacht Management was founded on St. Thomas in 2015 and now manages a fleet of more than 70 sailing catamarans.
Hank Hampton, president and CEO of Paradise Group of Companies, described the new partnership as an investment in both the company's development and the territory's maritime workforce.
"Our partnership with RTPark and the University of the Virgin Islands represents much more than business growth. It is an investment in our community, our people, and the next generation of maritime professionals," Mr. Hampton said.
He said the collaboration would combine innovation, education and hands-on training to create career opportunities for Virgin Islanders while positioning the territory as a center for marine services and technology.
The initiative addresses a workforce development challenge previously identified by UVI and maritime industry leaders.
As the Consortium reported in October 2025, the Virgin Islands charter yacht industry generated approximately $92 million in economic activity and supported about 800 jobs in 2024, according to estimates from the V.I. Bureau of Economic Research.
However, industry representatives warned that shortages of qualified marine workers, combined with competition from the British Virgin Islands, were creating difficulties for local operators.
During that discussion, UVI President Dr. Safiya George emphasized the need for expanded training opportunities for yacht captains, engineers and mechanics. She acknowledged that the university's maritime-related education was largely concentrated in marine science and expressed interest in partnerships that could broaden technical training opportunities.
The new arrangement between RTPark, Paradise Group and UVI is intended to help address those gaps by connecting students and other prospective maritime professionals directly with industry expertise and practical experience.
"Working directly with a marine business gives UVI a clearer connection to the skills the industry needs and the careers students can prepare for," said RTPark Executive Director Eric Sonnier.
"Paradise Group of Companies, Inc. brings industry expertise that can help inform training and connect learning with experience aboard vessels and in marine services. Our goal is to build a lasting talent pipeline that supports this client and strengthens the wider marine sector."
The $100,000 annual commitment will support maritime program development, training and scholarships through UVI and UVI CELL. Among the opportunities identified are supervised sea time for individuals pursuing captain's licenses and culinary apprenticeships that could prepare participants for work aboard charter vessels.
The announcement did not specify when the training programs would begin, how many scholarships or apprenticeship opportunities would be available, or the eligibility requirements for prospective participants.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. welcomed the partnership, describing it as part of his administration's broader efforts to expand the Virgin Islands marine economy.
He pointed to the planned Crown Bay redevelopment and initiatives to strengthen the charter yacht industry as complementary efforts intended to attract investment and create additional opportunities for Virgin Islanders.
The partnership also builds on RTPark's existing business development and workforce programs.
In July, The Consortium reported that RTPark had signed nine new tenant agreements during fiscal year 2026 and expected approximately $2.7 million of its revenue to be directed toward UVI, while expanding entrepreneurship, lending and educational initiatives.
RTPark Board Chairman Ian Tomlinson said the territory's geographic advantages create opportunities for the development of specialized marine industries, provided those opportunities are supported by education and workforce preparation.
"Our geography gives us a strong advantage for marine enterprise," Mr. Tomlinson said. "The long-term opportunity is to leverage that advantage with innovation, education, and training, so Virgin Islanders can help shape the industry's growth and participate in more specialized areas of our economy."
The new Blue Economy Program is expected to create additional opportunities for collaboration between maritime businesses and UVI as RTPark seeks to expand the territory's participation in technology-driven marine services and related industries.
