City of Charleston Youth Go to Sea on Spirit of South Carolina

After a cool evening's sleep on deck,
 one student admires the  skyline waking up.

It would be hard to gain any consensus from the participants for the single Highlight of this last weekend's Cruise; there were many; the run out to the ocean under full sail, the swim session off Castle Pinckney,, being smack in the center of the Carolina Yacht Clubs Regatta, sleeping on deck under the stars, Hunter's superb Comfort Food Cooking, or climbing out on the head rig to furl the Jib and Jumbo.  For the 9 teens and 3 chaperones  who came on board for the three-day experience, the thing all would likely agree on, was an unforgettable experience they'll be sharing with family and friends for some time to come.

With help of 2d Mate, Claire,
 participants climb into head rig to practice
 setting, and furling the Jib and Jumbo.

 The cruise was a  realization of an effort begun last Autumn.But  for alternating reasons of weather, crew manning, mechanical,  and other issues the cruise was delayed until this weekend.  Even then, the planned itinerary had to bend against the vagaries of weather and mechanical issues.   On Friday, An Educator from College of Charleston led participants,in a seminar on the African American experience in early Charleston Maritime History, culminating to a field trip to the Fort Sumpter Museum at Liberty Square.Rather than sail to St. Helena Sound,  The Schooner sailed the Harbor, then anchored Friday evening off Castle Pinckney. Saturday was dominated with gusting winds  across the harbor that challenged even the best sailors of the Carolina Yacht Club, and our participants cheered on  as Spirit of South Carolina orchestrated a mullti-class small boat sail racing Regatta all around the Schooner. Meanwhile, participants practiced line handling, coiling and hanging, then climbing into the Head Rig to  prep the Jib and Jumbo for setting the next day.  By end of the day, as the Regatta closed, the Captain called "Swim Call", and participants, all in PFD's, chaperones, and some crew enjoyed a refreshing cooling off over the windward rail.

Chaparones get a chance to show their stuff,
 by teaming up to raise the Jib.

Sunday, participants and crew shook out all reefs from the sails. anchor was raised, One after another, all four sails were set and trimmed  to a beam reach and Spirit of South Carolina bore off down the channel to sea. Participants joined crew in conducting boat checks, tacking the schooner, adjusting sail trim, and even taking the helm. 12 miles offshore, Capt Cleveland tacked Spirit of South Caroline onto a Northwest course to intersect the channel. Still under full press, Spirit of South Carolina made the final stretch home in good time, bearing up, and dousing all sail  off Patriots Point.  While participants gathered belongings and cleared bunks, the crew prepared for docking.  By 1730, Spirit was docked and participants safely put ashore.

Capt Cleveland  and Chief Mate, Charley
coach Paticipant, Kaytlin, at the helm.

For Volunteers it was 3 days of on-the-job training, , not only in all aspects of sail handling, but in engaging  a diverse group of young people, helping them outside their comfort zone, and expanding their perspectives.

For Dan Maurin, it marked a personal milestone, the achieving of 50 hours of Volunteer Service for Spirit of South Carolina. Congratulations and Thanks for all your passion and commitment.

Volunteer Dan Maurin completes the Rough Log
 after Boat Checks, while deckhand, Catie
 watches a participant steering the Ship.

 Volunteers Join Crew for Thursday Evening Public Cruise

Last Thursday's Public Evening Sail , on July 11, featured 3 volunteers  supporting the professional crew, hosting a family reunion of 4 generations, on what turned out to be the best Day Sail of the summer.  Volunteers, Dan Maurin, Jonathan Shew, and Bryan Oliver arrived early for some quick skills review. Practice turned into the real thing, just in time to tuck in a shallow reef on both Main and Foresail before the 23 guests boarded. At that point, volunteers became crew members, as Bryan, Volunteer coordinator, at direction from Capt Cleveland, passed out the Navy Blue crew polo shirt.

A steady late afternoon sea breeze mitigated the July heat as guests gathered around Capt Cleveland for a quick orientation, safety briefing.  In quick succession, crew de-rigged the gangway, took in dock lines, pulled in and stowed fenders, as Capt Cleveland eased Spirit of South Carolina off the dock, with  a few pushes from the Chief Mate, Charley, in the Small Boat. 

Foresail peak and jumbo
halyards Ballantine-coiled.

As soon as her bowsprit pointed down-channel,  2d Mate, Claire led crew in hoisting up and securing the Small Boat.   After just enough time for a few deep breaths,  the Capt called "Hands to set the Mainsail!" Charley organized crew and guests on port and starboard, with crew setting the rhythm, all souls joined together in raising first the Mainsail, then the Foresail, and finally, the Jumbo. 

8-15 knot breezes filled her sails and Spirit  quickly gathered way on a close reach down the channel on a course towards Fort Sumter. Crew work wasn't yet finished, as the reminder "Coil and Hang" came down the deck.  Volunteers and guests together, pitched in to secure all lines and ballantine coil the halyards.

Jonathan checks the Jumbo trim
after tacking away from Fort Sumter.

Spirit's reefed sails, de-powered her sufficiently to make for a smooth but nevertheless fast ride down to Fort Sumter, then tacking and making for the Ravenel Bridge. Timing our passing under the bridge to the second, Claire, acting
as gunner, touched off the salute gun; the report  echoed for 3 seconds.  By the time Spirit of South Carolina had returned and safely tied up at Charleston Maritime Center, the volunteers had participated, and practiced most of  deckhand skills required for day-sails, including engaging with guests, and encouraging their involvment.
Next opportunity for Volunteer involvement under sail will be July 25-28. a 3-4-day cruise with disadvantaged youth, sponsored by City of Charleston. Contact Bryan (Brine) at bryan@spiritofsc.org.   

Plans for July Volunteer Training Cruise are put off until August.

Citing a sudden influx of  Harbor day cruises popping up on the schedule, Capt Dan Cleveland is  temporarily postponing his plans for a 3-day Volunteer Deckhand Training Cruise this month"  Capt. Cleveland has not  shelved his plan for a cruise focused on Volunteer Deckhand training, thanks to those Volunteers who responded to the initial inquiry.  Your responses added encouragement to  the effort to make this happen in the near future.  Stay tuned to this Blog for future dates. In the meantime, take advantage of the new opportunities for deck hand training and  ship maintenance work opening up on Thursdays, Friday's, and Saturdays.  See the Blog article just below for details.

Spirit of South Carolina begins a regular schedule of Public Harbor Cruises;   Volunteers needed to fill out the Crew.

Just this afternoon, notifications were sent to the Volunteer Contact list of a new schedule the Ship will be trying out;  Scheduling for the Public, a late afternoon Harbor Cruise, on Thursday's, Friday's, and Saturdays, for remainder of July, and into August. See the Volunteer Calendar link on the right column.  Keeping costs in mind, the Spirit will cast off, only with a threshold minimum of paying guests, otherwise that day's cruise will be cancelled.  

Captain Dan Cleveland is inviting Volunteers to join the crew for these cruises, to sail the ship, increase their deck hand skills, and, in the long run, build a bench of Volunteer Crew to man the ship. Sailing isn't the only thing in the Volunteer description.. The wooden Traditionally rigged Schooner needs constant care, and as Volunteer Deckhands, we are expected to lay in on projects with the rest of the crew to keep her healthy, safe, and pretty. 

This is an excellent on-the-job training opportunity to observe and work with the Spirit's Crew, and for them to get to know you. Just respond to this calendar invite, or email the Volunteer Coordinator (bryan@spiritofsc.org) of your intention to do so, and report to the Mate, Charley, or 2d Mate, Claire not later than 4 pm on the scheduled date.These are scheduled public Afternoon Sails, that will go depending on # of sign-ups. If insufficient # of passengers sign up, the cruise may be cancelled. Volunteers are encouraged to remain and help with ship maintenance, or practice and check-off deck hand skills on your Deckhand Skills checklist.

Don't let this schedule dissuade you from picking out other dates and times to come and help out. Come down to the ship anytime. Check in with Claire, the 2d Mate, or Charley, 1st Mate. 
And while you're down there, arrange to pick up your Volunteer T-Shirt. (See the Blog article below).