On September 7, IYRS welcomed the largest group of students to date. There are 61 students from 13 different states and six different countries - an 18 percent increase over last year. Given the dramatic, adverse impact of the economic conditions on the marine trades and IYRS is pleased with this result.

The new Composites Technology is the culmination of another successful collaboration with the IYRS marine trades partners and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. The first class includes a student from Korea. They will all work together building Moth Class boats. The Marine Systems class is the largest yet, bringing one student from as far as Germany and the Boatbuilding & Restoration program has 35 students including those coming from France, Italy (2), Germany and the Cayman Islands. They will work to restore 10 Beetle Cat sailboats, a Herreshoff Columbia Lifeboat, a Herreshoff 12 ½, and a Starling Burgess designed, Lawley built R-Class sloop.