2005 Chesapeake Bay Cruise

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Oct 3, Monday
After introductions, the students became familiar with the vessel & the course agenda. We evaluated the weather, discussed navigation and assignments. An inventory of galley supplies was completed before purchasing the provisions necessary for the cruise menu plan. After checking out the ship, we motored out of Spring Cove with Chip at the helm and John navigating. While still in Swan Creek, the engine cooling water light and alarm interrupted our adventure, even though proper coolant water flow was observed from the exhaust, so we dropped the anchor to check the mechanical problems and spent our first night in Swan Creek. After checking the raw water filter, engine coolant levels & the raw water impeller, but finding no cause for the alarm, the school was contacted and a mechanic was summonsed to discern the problem. Captain Joe prepared a chicken and pasta dinner and we turned in early, hoping to resume our sailing adventure in the morning.

Oct 4, Tuesday
The mechanic arrived and we now found the engine would not start, so the anchor was manually hoisted and HALIMEDA was towed to Haven Harbor Marina for repairs, much to the disappointment of the Captain and Crew.  The Marina mechanic determined that the engine had not overheated and filters and coolants were operating properly, but that an instrument wiring problem had caused the problems. When the engine was running again, the mechanic identified an additional problem with the alternator. At this point, after much discussion and time loss, we decided to salvage this class by transferring to SCHOLARSHIP, an IP-32 for the remainder of the cruise. We quickly packed out and re-stowed our provisions and belongings, departing once again in the afternoon, headed for St. Michael’s, by way of Kent Narrows. Motorsailing under light winds, Allen navigated and John skillfully piloted us through the bridge opening and brought us into a slip at The Maritime Museum. The crew enjoyed the evening ashore and a fine dinner at The Crab Claw.

Oct 5, Wednesday
After pumping out, we headed toward the Rhoad River, with Chip navigating and we enjoyed our first opportunity to sail with adequate winds. The crew practiced fixes along the way and they performed well when they were surprised with an unannounced man overboard drill, with Nancy at the helm. Allen followed Chip’s directive to a scenic anchorage on the Rhode River. Chip took his 101 test, then the crew dined on lasagna & salad. We spent a peaceful night at anchor.

Oct 6, Thursday
We awoke to moderate fog, which gave us the opportunity to use dead reckoning as we motorsailed towards the Baltimore Inner Harbor, despite SCHOLARSHIP’s lack of speed through water instrument readings, which made dead reckoning difficult but not impossible. Nancy navigated our course well, taking bearings to get fixes after the fog lightened.  Chip expertly docked the ship at the Inner Harbor Marina and we took shore leave for dinner at the Rusty Scupper Restaurant. We rested well, as rain fell through the night.

Oct 7, Friday
We again awoke to moderate fog and pumped out the holding tank before departing.  Navigator John set our course for Rock Hall, and Chip took the helm as we left the slip and proceeded down the Patapsco River toward the Bay, passing several large commercial vessels along the way. With wind on the nose, we motorsailed to Haven Harbor in Rock Hall, where we refueled, filled with water and pumped out. John expertly docked SCHOLARSHIP at Spring Cove and we cleaned the ship before the students took their exam, which they all passed. The well earned Certificates will be mailed to this hardy crew who had suffered mechanical problems, space limitations & inclement weather but persevered to accomplish their goal.

Captain Joe Kliment
Aboard S/V SCHOLARSHIP
Rock Hall, MD
Oct 7, 2005

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