2007 Chesapeake Bay Cruise

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Fri Aug 17
The crew had arrived on Thursday evening, thus were familiar with the living quarters on HALIMEDA before the Captain arrived this morning. He quickly became acquainted with the students and began familiarizing them with boat systems, cruise planning, navigation  and weather and began giving the crew assignments. An inventory was performed before a meal plan and shopping list was developed for purchasing provisions. We ate a quick lunch and proceeded to get this cruise underway. 

Leaving Lankford Bay Marina shortly after 1400 we headed for the Magothy River for a night at anchor. Changing helmsman every hour,
we faced wind on the nose, motoring at first then sailing, before a squall passed through just prior to our arrival at the Magothy at 1800. A dinner of hamburgers & fresh corn at 2030 brought this busy day to a close.

Sat Aug 18
Cruise preparations in the morning were followed by a wonderful day of sailing with NW winds off the quarter, giving the students practice with off the wind sailing. Arrival in Annapolis was disappointing, as not even one mooring was available at 1400. We then sailed to the Rhode River and anchored at 1715. Jim’s dinner was great, with shrimp, pasta and salad!  A beautiful sunset demanded pictures before we turned in ealry for the night as we plan to leave early tomorrow for St. Michaels.

Sun Aug 19
Our crew was up early, weighed anchor & left the Rhode River at 7:15 AM. We had great sailing across the Bay, beating into an East wind.
By noon were tied up at the dock of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s. The crew explored the museum, absorbed more instructions, then studied for their tests, before hot showers and a good dinner at the Crab Claw. It rained thrrough the night but we all slept well.
 
Mon Aug 20
After breakfast on board, the students took their test in the morning before we refueled and pumped out in preparation for departure to Annapolis at 11 AM. Motoring down the Miles River, winds became more favorable for sailing and motor sailing when were reached the Eastern Bay.
We arrived in Annapolis at 3:30 pm, did a standing turn in Ego Alley, taking a bulkhead slip between a megayacht and a small boat. The docking was observed by an audience that clapped on completion, affirming the skill of the operation. Rain could not spoil our evening, as we celebrated the students passing their ASA 104 tests with a good dinner at Pusser's.

Tues Aug 21
After a soggy night, the crew ate an early breakfast at Chick & Ruth’s. HALIMEDA departed Annapolis shortly after 0800 and passed under the Chesapeake Bay bridge before 1000 in a drizzle that became a fog  necessitating use of radar which provided another learning experience for this crew.  Winds of 10-15 knots, mostly on the nose, made motor sailing necessary, and the crew experienced another man overboard drill enroute to our home port of Lankford Bay Marina. After pump out, the boat was secured at 1400 and the crew cleaned up the boat and packed out before certificates were presented. 

Although the weather could have been better, this crew made the most of their possibilities and learned a lot while having a good time. We all headed home, satisfied that our cruise had been enjoyable as well as extremely worthwhile.

Capt Joe Kliment
Aboard S/V HALIMEDA
Rock Hall, MD
Aug 21, 2007 

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