Newport Developer Donates $2-Million Yacht to Orange Coast College

Christmas arrived early for students at Orange Coast College, thanks to a $2-million yacht donation by a Newport Beach developer.

Jerry Barto, a longtime resident of Newport Beach, handed over his luxury yacht, the Nordic Star, to the school this week. Barto, whose three children attended OCC, said he decided to donate the boat to help train students in the maritime industry through the college's professional mariner program.

"We wanted to help students and this great program," Barto said. "So it was an easy decision to make.

The Nordic Star is docked at OCC's School of Sailing and will hold classes throughout the year. Brad Avery, director of the college's marine programs, said classes have already begun aboard the ship.

“We needed a ship that gives students hands-on training and skills they need to get jobs," Avery said. "Nordic Star is absolutely perfect for that.”

The Nordic Star was designed by renowned naval architect Jack Hargrave and was built in the U.S. It is the largest boat donation ever received by OCC.

“This boat will take our professional mariner program to the next level,” said Dennis Harkins, president of OCC.