NEWPORT BEACH : College Gets Gifts That Are for Sail

Volcano, a 65-foot yacht, has sailed the South Pacific, seen the blue-green waters of the Caribbean and made the five-day voyage from Rhode Island to Bermuda.

But these days the $300,000 boat sits in the quiet waters of Newport Harbor, its long-distance treks all but over, its purpose now to serve sailing students at Orange Coast College.

Jack Batts, a coat hanger manufacturer from North Palm Beach, Fla., donated the boat in December to the community college’s sailing program. And Brad Avery, the program director, couldn’t be happier.

“For a guy who would never, ever get a chance to sail a big yacht, here’s his opportunity,” Avery said. “We provide the access point, but you have to know how to sail first before you can sail one of these things.”

Two other boats were donated the same month to the college’s sailing program, considered one of the largest in the country with more than 6,000 students enrolled each year.

Two other yachts worth an estimated $625,000 were given to the college the same month.

The 65-foot powerboat Honu, worth an estimated $300,000, was donated by Bruce Nordstrom of Seattle, a member of the family that founded the Nordstrom department store chain. The Serena, a $325,000 yacht, was given to the college by Keith Pugh of Annapolis, Md.

The three yachts are considered part of the $2.5-million raised in 1994 by the Orange Coast College Foundation.

“This year’s fund-raising efforts have been very gratifying,” said Jeff Hyder, foundation chairman. “Orange Coast is the community’s college and the community has been extremely supportive.”