Day
1
On day one our student crew, Alex Frelier, Jason Jampoler and Laura Jampoler,
met aboard ACADAME at
about 0845. Going below out of the warming sun, we began with introductions
and a discussion of their sailing experience and goals. We then began
our inspection of the boat. As the day promised to be hot and humid, we
began on deck, where we did a thorough job of examining and explaining the
various boat and sail operating, management and safety systems, including the
rig, sails, clutches, winches, lines and other sail handling devices, MOB
equipment and engine operations.
After
completing our inspections above, and to escape the increasingly warming sun,
we dropped below to examine and explain the boat’s plumbing, electrical and
mechanical systems. This included an in-depth discussion of the DC and
AC electrical systems and components, energy conservation underway, and safety
precautions regarding the use of the electrical system. We also discussed and
demonstrated the proper use of the plumbing system and head facilities; water
management protocols, and the safe use of the propane stove in the galley. We
identified the various USCG required items and then pulled out the
companionway steps to reveal the boat's Yanmar engine. We examined and
discussed the various parts of the engine that require daily inspection and
routine maintenance. Our review also included an inspection the prop shaft
(including it’s coupling to the transmission) and stuffing box.
After
a break for lunch, we adjourn to the school classroom. There, I presented and
explained the USCG publications needed for navigation, including the charts
for our voyage, the Light List, Coast Pilot, and the latest version of Notices
to Mariners. These we downloaded to our tablets for easy reference and
search. The crew then prepared the waypoints for the first leg of our voyage,
through Kent Narrows and it’s bridges and on to St. Michaels. Having
completed that work, and feeling tired from a long and busy day, we adjourned
at about 1700, each to his or her own choice for dinner and rest
Day
2
On day two we gathered board at about 0845, and set about preparing for
departure to Saint Michaels. The crew filled the water tank, and
completed engine checks and the other tasks assigned to them for
pre-departure. Those tasks completed, we left our slip at about 0930.
After entering the Chester River we practiced some sail drills - raising the
main, adding a reef, bringing the main back up and so forth. The weather
conditions were quite unfavorable for the prospect of sailing for the day. The
temperature was expected to arrive to about 90°, and it was largely windless.
We motor-sailed for a bit until the breeze picked up just enough to allow us
to unfurl the genoa and enjoy about 45 minutes of light sailing before we
again had to put the genoa and main away. We passed through Kent Narrows,
dealing with the challenges of the narrow and shallow channel, the strong
tidal current, and the passage through the drawbridge. From there we motored
down Prospect Bay into Eastern Bay, arriving at St. Michaels at about 1640.
St. Michaels Marina was quite crowded with a yacht club event, so we spent the
night tied up at the fuel dock. After enjoying a good meal at Foxy’s, the
crew spent remainder of the evening preparing the navigation plan to Annapolis
the next day.
Day
3
On day three the crew was up early, and after to breakfast we departed
St. Michaels for Annapolis. There was a light wind as we departed, raising
hopes that we might get a bit of sailing in before the expected drop of the
wind for the day. Unfortunately, we lost that early breeze as we left the
Miles River, and the remainder of the day proved again to be hot and windless.
With the main raised, in hopes of some light wind, we motor-sailed up Eastern
Bay and into the Chesapeake Bay. As we proceeded, we conducted a man overboard
drill, which the crew executed quite well. We reached our mooring ball
in the main harbor at Annapolis at about 1600. After changing into some dry
clothing, we took the water taxi into Eastport for a great dinner at the
Boatyard. Back aboard after dinner, the crew prepared the navigation
plan from Annapolis to our planned destination at Grays Inn Creek.
Day
4
The crew slept in a bit longer, and after a leisurely breakfast and coffee,
departure checks were made and we dropped our mooring ball at about 0915. Our
plan destination was Grays Inn Creek, where we expected to anchor for the
night. The morning was again bright, and we expected more heat and humidity,
with little wind. Our navigator guided us out of Spa Creek and the Severn
River, into the Chesapeake Bay. We had no sails up for this portion of the
journey north on the Chesapeake Bay and under the Bay Bridge. Everyone was
very interested in seeing the bridges from below as we passed under. There was
a little traffic around but quite a number of large ships anchored below the
bridge.
We
made our way up to Love Point and around into the Chester River. At
about 1230 we raised both the main and the genoa in hopes of taking advantage
of a very light breeze we encountered as we came into the Chester River. We
motor-sailed around Eastern Neck Island, leaving green bouys “3”, “7”,
“9” and to our port side to avoid the shallows just off of the southern
portion of that island. Our sails added, perhaps, just a bit to our speed. We
continued north past R “14” until reaching G “1” just outside of Grays
Inn Creek. There, we took in our sails.
We
had a brief discussion about our plan for the night and agreed, one and all,
to change our original plan. Instead of anchoring (and sweating) in
Grays Inn Creek for the night, as planned, we decided to continue on to
Lankford Bay Marina, to our home slip, where we could plug-in and enjoy air
conditioning for the night. But first we motored into Grays Inn Creek and
arrived at the small marina facility located there. There, we pumped out
and rinsed the holding tank. The wind built somewhat more as we finished this
task but we decided to continue motoring back to LBM to retreat from the heat
of the summer sun. We arrived there at about 1600. Jason and Laura
decided to return to their bed-and-breakfast in Rock Hall for the night,
leaving Alex to enjoy the air-conditioned boat for his evening rest.
Day
5
I met Alex on my morning walk, before class convened. He had previously taken
the test and been certified for ASA
104, and decided that he would return home early instead of staying for
another hot day on the water. Jason and Laura met me aboard ACADAME at
about 0830. Our reduced crew gave us an opportunity for Jason and Laura to
practice sailing as a couple. We proceeded to the Chester River and practiced
tacking and jibing the boat, alternating duties between Jason and Laura. This
included use of the preventer on the downwind legs. Though the wind was light,
we fortunately had a sufficient breeze to conduct these maneuvers. We had
lunch aboard and then returned to Lankford Bay Marina. We refueled the boat,
and brought it back to our home slip. That gave us an opportunity for a little
docking practice at both the fuel dock and at the slip. After boat cleanup
Jason, Laura and I adjourned to the classroom where they both took the ASA 104
test. They passed the test with no difficulty whatsoever. and so ended our
adventure in the hot and humid summer on the Chesapeake Bay. Jason and
Laura have purchased a lovely sailboat which is now on the hard at LBM with
its mast out for rigging replacement, so I look forward to seeing them there
again in the future. And I hope they, as well as Alex, will join us some
future classes at the Maryland School.
Captain
David Gifford
S/V ACADAME
Rock Hall, Maryland
