THE JACKSONVILLE MARINE INSTITUTE'S CLIENTS INCLUDE ADJUDICATED DELINQUENTS AND PROBATIONERS AGED 14.5 TO 17. YOUTHS WHO CHOOSE TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAM UNDERGO A 30-DAY EVALUATION PERIOD, DURING WHICH THEY PARTICIPATE IN SHORT COURSES (FIRST AID, HEALTH, BOAT HANDLING, CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION, SURVIVAL SWIMMING, DIVING) DESIGNED TO BE SUCCESS EXPERIENCES. NONREADERS AND NONSWIMMERS ARE IDENTIFIED AND PROVIDED REMEDIAL ASSISTANCE. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST MONTH IS AN AWARDS CEREMONY. STUDENTS HAVE THE OPTION OF CONTINUING IN THE INSTITUTE FOR THE FULL 6-MONTH PROGRAM OR TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER PROGRAM. THOSE WHO CONTINUE TAKE COURSES IN SAILING, DIVING, MARINE BIOLOGY, AND LIFE SAVING, AS WELL AS ACADEMIC COURSES (READING, ENGLISH, MATH, HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY). STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVE WORK-RELATED TRAINING (FINDING AND KEEPING A JOB, JOB INTERVIEWS, ETC.) AND PARTICIPATE IN ONE-NIGHT TRIPS (SKIN DIVING, SAILING, BACKPACKING). THE PROGRAM'S EMPHASIS IS ON BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND THE ABILITY TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS. OF 282 STUDENTS WHO LEFT THE INSTITUTE AFTER THE 30-DAY EVALUATION PERIOD, 57 RECIDIVATED. OF THE YOUTHS WHO COMPLETED THE ENTIRE PROGRAM, 13 PERCENT RECIDIVATED. (STUDENTS WHO REMAIN BEYOND THE EVALUATION PERIOD ARE FOLLOWED UP FOR 3 YEARS.) THE INSTITUTE IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION MANAGED BY A BOARD OF LOCAL BUSINESSMEN AND FUNDED THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTITUTE'S PROGRAM AND ACTIVITIES FOCUSES ON A DAY SPENT BY STUDENTS TRYING TO SAVE A HERD OF BEACHED WHALES. THE INCIDENT EXEMPLIFIES THE INSTITUTE'S EMPHASIS ON INVOLVEMENT AS A KEY TO REHABILITATION. (LKM)