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2002 Chesapeake Bay Cruise |
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2002 Chesapeake Bay Cruise |
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Purpose Course Descriptions School Yachts Schedule of Courses Ocean Training Cruises ASA Certification Registration Info Our Location Our People Contact Us |
Pre-Departure Week-
Captain Andy Prescott phoned each of the students Kate and
John Endicott, Dean Gallagher, and John Daniels to discuss their expectations,
desired itinerary, and any special menu or other requirements. Kate and John had
completed our ASA 101 & 103 in the Virgin Islands on one of our eight day
cruises. Dean completed our ASA 104 course the past summer and was interested in
some post graduate 104 studies. John D. was an experienced sailor who wished to
challenge ASA 103 while taking this ASA 104 course. Pre-Class Dinner-
All agreed to meet the evening before the first day. Drinks,
dinner and the moonrise at Rock Hall’s Pruitt’s Restaurant were a great way
to start things off and get to know one another. Meal planning, provisioning and
the itinerary were further discussed and agreed upon amidst tall tales of the
sea by “The Sponge” John E. They were soon matched by John “Lumber”
Daniels! Dean’s love of eggs and Baltimore quickly gave him the nickname
“Egg’s Baltimore.” Clearly it was going to be a fun group – all
interested in improving their sailing skills while having a good time. Wednesday, September 18-
A sunny late summer morning at Spring Cove is the perfect
place to sit in HALIMEDA’s large and spacious cockpit “classroom”. Using the
ASA 101 and 103 Log Book Outline we became familiar with the topside parts and
functions of this fine sailboat. Next the crew headed below to leave no stone
unturned as each and every locker and thru-hull was examined. Finally we
carefully studied HALIMEDA’s fuel, engine, electrical, HVAC, galley and plumbing
systems. Ever important safety equipment was also checked carefully.
Personal
belongings were stowed. A quick run for provisioning, and rules of the road and
docking methods were reviewed. Student skipper Dean skillfully coordinated his
crew for a perfect departure from the slip as we headed for the sailing capital
of the world – Annapolis. The
Bay was a glorious reflecting pond with neither a wave nor a boat in sight.
Motoring skills including standing right turns were practiced as we glided
south. The day came to a perfect ending as we pulled into Ego Alley alongside
Faucett’s Marine. We chatted with tourists and fellow sailors who stopped to
admire Halimeda’s fine lines before heading to dinner ashore. The advantages
of a 45 foot IP was seen as it so comfortably accommodated all of us. Thursday, September 19-
Each day each crewmember has one of four assignments:
skipper, navigator, engineer or cook. After a great Chic and Ruth’s breakfast
and their traditional Pledge of Allegiance Skipper John “Lumber” executed a
standing right turn and we headed for the Bay. Kate had noted light winds
predicted so we took advantage of the situation to focus on sailing skills
rather than making a destination spending most of the day off Tolley Point the
winds started to build. Thus each student had the opportunity to take the helm
while others acted as crew for every point of sail and a variety of sail
combinations. The crew noted the benefits of a full keel boat watching other
boats bounce around while we smoothly cut through the waves. Late
afternoon found us heading back into Annapolis with a fine opportunity to review
rules of the road. We encountered three races with dozens of boats, many flying
spinnakers– a visual feast for us sailors. The small Naval Academy “ships”
were also out practicing war game maneuvers, which added to the fun and
excitement of the day. Finally each student practiced picking up a mooring as we
ended up secured to number “6” for the evening. A quick call to the water
taxi found us exploring and dining in Eastport.
Friday, September 20-
The Sponge had charted an ambitious journey to Herring Bay.
So we beat south in splendid 15 knot winds with sunny skies. The crew became a
high performing team as they tacked numerous times. Our stowaway – Ralph the
pumpkin headed dummy – managed to fall overboard so many times that it gave
each student the opportunity to practice everyone’s most favorite exercise:
crew overboard! Cook John D prepared a great lunch underway. LOP’s and fixes
helped define where we were at all times. We also cranked up the radar as we
began to encounter numerous ships and barges proceeding up and down the Bay.
Eggs Baltimore talked about methods of preventing seasickness and Kate
demonstrated that careful crew preparation pays. She executed a perfect docking
maneuver along the tee of E Dock at Herrington Harbor South and was awarded the
Captain Andy’s Cup. A spectacular moonrise over the Bay ended another great
day – particularly for John D. who took and passed the ASA 103 exam. Saturday, September 21-
Engineer John D. carefully checked all boat systems before
departure. John E. demonstrated proper stove procedures making his famous
coffee. Captain Andy conducted a cockpit review of 104 Sailing Knowledge
including Planning, Living Afloat, Weather, and Seamanship. Eggs Baltimore
charted a fast course to Kent Narrows which soon had us flying on beam and broad
reaches at hull speed in winds of 15 -20 knots! This only got better as we again
encountered dozens of boats at Bloody Point participating in the Annapolis to
Oxford race - a spectacular sight and spectacular sail. However
a frightening sight was encountered as we approached the draw bridge at Kent
Narrows – a place known for its two plus knot currents. An over anxious 36’
Catalina in front of us nearly tore apart its standing rigging approaching the
bridge before it had reached its open position. The captain then backed off on
his throttle and was thrown to the bulkhead by the current. Needless to say we
circled about, put together a proper plan and skipper John E, his adrenaline
running, did an outstanding job of guiding HALIMEDA
with great style under the bridge! The final challenge was docking with the
current against us on the tee at Mears Point Marina. Careful planning, the use
of warps and an excellent dock hand had us alongside in no time. As
numerous passing boats recognized HALIMEDA
and shouted friendly greetings, the Johns and Kate took and successfully passed
the 104 test. It was time for a celebration which began with Dean awarding the
entire crew Red Eye Restaurant tee shirts. After watching the Harvest Full Moon
rise, we slept like babies despite the hot weather with Halimeda’s
air-conditioning running. Sunday, September 22- Alas, all good things must come to an end but first we were going to squeeze in every last bit of sailing. John D. charted our course out the Chester River to the Bay and north to Swan Creek. With southerly winds again at 15 knots we jibed numerous times remembering TSP- PST! Post graduate Eggs Baltimore assumed skipper duties to first top off the fuel and pump out at Haven Harbor. Then it was back to the slip at Spring Cove – or at least we thought – a sailboat pumping out near our slip forced Dean to execute a fine standing right turn in front of many slip holders – all noting how well it was executed. Finally we were able to return. Another Tursi Tip assured a perfect docking. Denise greeted us and snapped our “class photo” It was a great week! Captain Andy
Prescott |
