Ocean Point Celebrates Success of 17 Interns from Summer Program

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - Ocean Point Terminals celebrated the success of 17 interns during their recent 2025 Summer Internship Presentation Day and Closing Ceremony. Friends and family members of the interns joined Ocean Point staff who looked on as the students offered testimonials and presentations on some of what they learned during their summer work experience.

Ocean Point Terminals is a world-class energy logistics hub located in St. Croix, USVI, with the capacity to store 34-million barrel crude and petroleum products in its 167 tanks. They are a critical infrastructure link connecting U.S. suppliers with growing international demand, situated at the crossroads of the global crude and refined markets close to the Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico, West Africa, and the U.S. Gulf Coast export markets. 

Since their start in 2016 Ocean Point has partnered with the V.I. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide students with meaningful work experiences through the DOL’s Labor Investing for Tomorrow (LIFT) and Summer Youth Work Experience programs (SYWEP). Additionally, Ocean Point partners with the University of the Virgin Islands’ Process Technology program to offer student internships year-round. 

This year’s interns ranged from high school juniors to recent college graduates, and they had varied interests from Finance and Automotive, to IT, Maintenance and Engineering. 

“The Internship Program was designed to provide interns with hands-on experience, and a clearer picture of the students’ chosen career path,” said Ocean Point Terminals Human Resources Manager, Brian Dore, during the ceremony, as he lauded their efforts. “We are proud of what you have accomplished in such a short time, and hope that your experience will serve as a strong foundation while you continue your academic and professional journey.”  

As part of the employment process, all 17 interns were required to complete both Site Awareness and Safety Awareness 5 training while at the facility. The Safety Awareness 5 training is a benchmark for general safety rules, regulations and principles within the petroleum industry. Additional training was required for interns who were assigned to work in the terminal. 

During the five to eight week internship, the student interns were assigned to areas aligned to their interests or field of study. They were required to complete projects and tasks that helped them to gain a better understanding of their specific department’s function within the organization. 

“I’m an incoming freshman at Tennessee State University,” said Nia Francis, one of the interns. “I did my internship with the HSE department. I’m incredibly grateful for the internship opportunity at Ocean Point Terminals. This experience has provided invaluable insights of the industry and allowed me to develop practical skills that complement my academic knowledge. I would especially like to thank the entire department for welcoming me in and giving me the chance to learn from them and learn the importance of health, safety and environmental at the terminal.”

While at Ocean Point Terminals, the interns supported the Business Services, Finance, Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE), Human Resources, Information Technology (IT), Maintenance Craft, Maintenance Engineering, Supply Chain and Warehouse, Terminal Operations, and the Training departments. 

Makayla Miller is a dual degree Engineering Major at the University of the Virgin Islands. She has the hopes of becoming a Biomedical Engineer. She served her internship in the HSE Department. 

“Once I actually started working in the department, my whole view of HSE changed. I found out that it’s not just about following safety rules or wearing your proper PPE. It’s about being involved in almost every part of what happens at the terminal. The HSE doesn’t just react to problems, they help prevent them before they even happen. They work to protect people, the environment, and the entire facility. I saw how they track things like air and water quality to make sure everything is safe. They also have to be strategic and think on their feet. It’s not just routine work, it’s real decision making. While working with them, they were calm, collected and willing to explain things whether I had questions or not.”

“Our Summer internship program provided these students with insight into areas they had not previously considered,” said Mr. Dore. “It allowed them to explore the many opportunities that exist within our industry…Ocean Point Terminals remains committed to supporting young Virgin Islanders.”       

Mr. Dore had a special shoutout to the various departments that took the interns under their wing. 

“Thank you for investing in these students’ growth and development. Your time, guidance, and willingness to mentor have not only shaped the interns’ experience but also demonstrated Ocean Point’s continued commitment to local excellence,” he concluded.

The St. Croix Times would like to congratulate all the students who were employed at the Ocean Point Terminals Summer Internship Program. 

The High School students employed as interns were: Mehki Clercent, Ateba Harper, Tavon Jones, Donatus Mathurin, Isaiah Randolph, Jonaisha Reid, Kaylen Sexius, and Tomari Williams.

The College students were: Timani Bonit, Ajani Samuel, Nia Francis, Makayla Miller, and Klenyal Titus.

Recent College graduates were: Elisha Rogers, and Indeyah Todman.

UVI Process Techs were: Khalil Lockhart (Spring), Ze’Shea Graham, and Rodney Ramcharan, Jr.