Saturday Ends a Phase, and Begins a New one.

After last Monday's (January 29) Training Sail, Volunteers have been waiting to hear the announcement for the next Training sail. That didn't happen this week. As this last weekend approached, it was made clear from the Project Manager's office that a date for the  next sail was not yet confirmed.  

In other news,, Bryan and Capt Davis met  Friday, with Carin Bloom of Middleton Plantation to explore ideas for creating educational programs for dockside or harbor cruises around historical themes. The meeting was constructive in identifying specific ideas and steps to take 

In the meantime, Volunteer Coordinator Bryan Oliver broadcasted to volunteers a  normal Saturday Volunteer Day to be executed on the 3d. And so, a group of stalwarts, Tony Marchesani, David Brennan, Ken Fonville, Walter Barker, Alex Lyashevich, Bryan Oliver, and Dallas Spencer mustered on deck  to advance some projects. 

Dallas Spencer adjusts the lashings
on the small boat's new "pudding" bow fender  

Dallas, had taken on as some homework, the project of creating a "pudding" a large rope-woven fender for covering the bow of the inflatable small boat. Dallas started his fitting and rigging up of the pudding on the small boat.  Remaining volunteers rigged up a bosun's chair to send Bryan aloft on the foremast to sand off the remaining grime.  

Bryan cut his time aloft short after a 1/2 hour, and reached the deck, as Capt Davis was gathering  the rest of the volunteers to deliver his news. He would be transitioning out of command of the schooner, as Captain, over the next two weeks. The Project Manager had determined that with Mission accomplished in the preparation, training for, and securing of the Certificate of Inspection, under the leadership of Capt Davis,  it was time to transition to a new phase of training for sail and programming.  The Board and Project Manager were now to begin the search for a new Captain with the requisite experience to take the schooner into the next phase of operations.  

In this interim, two separate efforts are being developed: One is the search for a new Captain to take the schooner into the next level. The second, more germane to volunteers, is the development of dock-side and harbor-sail-based educational programs, that can be marketed to the public.

In furtherance of that effort, Capt Davis and Bryan have made the trip up to Maryland for the Annual Tall Ship's America Conference, 4-7 February, in effort of gathering tips, advice, expertise in building educational programs, sailing expertise, and leads for a new Captain. Bryan is expected to return later this week, while Capt Davis will return to the area around 11 February.  A new phase, begins, consisting of continued sail training, and development of educational programs for dockside and Harbor cruises. Everyone is invited to participate, lend their talents, and get involved.