Spirit of South Carolina Hosts Charleston Collegiate 8th Graders Aboard

In spite of our Schooner's apparent Limbo status, these past few months, Spirit of South Carolina has still found ways to execute her mission.  This last April 16th, she hosted onboard, thirty 8th-grade students from Charleston Collegiate School for an orientation and 2-hour educational program. 

Boatswain(Bos'un) Bryan Oliver points out
 the berthing arrangement
during the group's orientation.

Hosted jointly by the LowCountry Maritime School, and Spirit of South Carolina, three facilitators, presented an introductory 15 minute orientation and tour of the Schooner.

 Following the orientation, students organized into three watches and rotated thru three 300-minute  learning sessions.

  

LCMS Director Sam Gervais illustrates
 the ship's sail plan.

On the Quarterdeck, LCMS Director, Sam Gervais  gave a more detailed explanation of Sail Trim on a schooner, steering, knots and seamanship.  

CAPT Heath Hackett pointing out buoys
 along the channel entrance

Below in the Saloon, Capt Heath Hackett, Project Manager for the Spirit of South Carolina led students thru simple navigation techniques on hard charts spread over the table. 

Bo'sun Bryan explaining a Schooner

Forward at the Sampson Posts, Boatswain and Volunteer Coordinator, Bryan Oliver led students thro a historical perspective, including the evolution of commerce in the harbor, contributions of Enslaved African Americans to the economy of the harbor, and their developing a "Seaborne Underground Railroad, in which escaping slaves found their way north to freedom. 

Bryan pointing out the route
 of the runaway Container Vessel last year,
 and the Pilot-in-Command's role
in avoiding catastrophe

Finally, Bryan wove into the conversation the significance of Harbor Bar Pilots, and their evolution over the past 300 years.

The experience proved the viability of hosting students aboard for bespoke programs, in spite of her decks constrained with lashed down spars and gear in preparation for a movement to Shipyard.