Safe Harbor Maritime Academy

"Amazing school! My son went there. Mr Tommie is the best. He spent 14 months there. He was getting into all kids of trouble before he went to SafeHarbor. Hey realized after a while he was there until he made the decision to do what was required. He has come home a totally different young man. He lost his mother at a young age and he needed help to process it. Since he has been home he has been amazing."

"I was at safe Harbor and the owner, who is a very wicked woman told all of us We were leaving to go home for Christmas and on Christmas visit. My parents said safe Harbor is shutting down Ms Robbie emailed us and told us it is shutting down and i called one of the staff members. I knew about a couple months later and it turns out she had a lied to our parents and we’re starting the program over and had just lied about it all. Also, I would like to point out that the owner Robbie Smith has a very big mouth and can talk to talk but she does not walk the walk. She says a lot but most of it is not good. She cussed at us a lot and what she says to you parents is not true. Don’t get me wrong. I needed a change but safe Harbor wasn’t the problem. It was Robbie Smith And her husband dug the biggest thing I find hard is that her husband smoked weed and some of the boys were there for that exact reason if safe Harbor will run by good godly Christian people, I’ll think they could live up to their name"

"Structure vs. Chaos. In the world outside Safe Harbor there is little structure, boys lack hope for the future, become sad, depressed, and get into trouble. Safe Harbor provides structure. At Safe Harbor boys are not told they are good when they are not. The focus is not on creating unearned self-esteem but on real accomplishment. There are no "participation trophies." Most boys succeed in the program, some do not. Those who complain about it didn't like the discipline, the work, or the rewards system---the more you succeed the better boat you get to live aboard. I know of no system for training young men that succeeds without structure, discipline, rewards and criticism. I you do, more power to you. I don't. I don't want to go too deeply into our situation, but perhaps just a little. Our son has been out of Safe Harbor for many years. He has served successfully in the military, gotten out and been successful in his career. He owns a house, a couple of cars, and today he's getting a second dog. I have hope for his future. Safe Harbor deserves a lot of credit for that."

"My son got out from Safe Harbor Boys Academy recently. He spent 13 month there and We have seen the results on improving his behavior. He is very respectful and showing calm at home. He not only learned how to manage himself from bad choices. He also learned tasks and activities like cooking, fixing engines,etc. that are part of experience to find a job. He started on 11th grade and successfully finished High School in 13 months. He never was interested on sailing. He learned how to sail (He loves it) and pilot small motor boats. What they learn there it will be for life. Safe Harbor program works and the staff and director are amazing. They are very dedicated to the kids. They really care for them! If teenager boys are struggling and the parents don’t have the tools how to handle or correct behaviors that can damage themselves and the family, This is the place to go. It’s difficult decision but after seen results you won’t regret."

"It has been my pleasure to day sail with several of the boys enrolled at Safe Harbor Academy on sailboats they refurbish and maintain. Many of the boys are beginner sailors and have received excellent sailing and safe boat handling instruction from the Safe Harbor Academy staff and volunteers. The boys are alert to river traffic and understand the inland waterway navigation aides. They communicate effectively on course adjustments to operate safely on a busy commercial stretch of the St Johns River. We need more boaters on our local waterways trained to operate boats safely like these boys at Safe Harbor Academy. Dale St. Denis"