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.