Thanks a yacht!

Amy R. Spurgeon

NEWPORT BEACH -- Santa Claus paid an early visit to Orange Coast

College’s School of Sailing and Seamanship this year with the donation of

Black Irish, a 41-foot 1966 Hinckley luxury sloop.

Instead of a red suit and black boots, this Santa -- also known as Ed

Cox -- dons Polo shirts, khakis and loafers.

“I’ve had the boat for 16 years. I know the program and think it will

be a good home for the boat,” Cox said while proudly patting the recently

varnished wood exterior of the boat. “It makes me comfortable knowing

it’s going to be in good hands.”

Cox, who, with his son Ted, owns Cox Yacht Insurance Agency in Newport

Beach, decided two weeks ago to donate the beloved family possession.

Black Irish will become the legal property of OCC’s sailing program

today.

“It’s exceptional to get a boat like this,” said Brad Avery, program

director of the sailing school. “Ed will shed a tear or two and then move

on to the golf course. Thanks to his passion for golf, we are getting a

boat.”

The sloop will join the program’s fleet of about 60 boats in October

when the paperwork is finalized. OCC’s sailing school is one of the

largest public seamanship programs in the nation and serves around 4,000

people annually.

Avery said because the boat is so luxurious it will most likely be

leased to the public for charter trips rather than be used for hands-on

instruction for students. Lease proceeds will go toward the program.

Though the sailing program bears OCC’s name, it is not subsidized by

taxpayer funds. It exists on a self-funded basis and through private

donations, Avery said.

“Gifts such as this help us in our mission to provide the public with

access to boating education,” Avery said.