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2023 Chesapeake Bay Cruise |
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SATURDAY, JULY 29, DAY # 1 In the school’s classroom, we started the navigation
planning phase of the course. This is an important component for the crew to
prepare a detailed navigation plan which they will be able to use in their
future sailing endeavors. Charts, Light Lists and the Local Notice to Mariners
are all utilized. Courses are determined in True and converted to the ship’s
compass using TVMDC and the ship’s deviation table, which was newly created
this season. This data is then
recorded in the ship’s logbook following the format as outlined in the
course training plan. Waypoints are created, chart numbers are listed and
Light List numbers of key Nav Aids are recorded. Distances to next waypoint
are measured and recorded. After completing the nav planning to Swan Creek the
Captain and Jeanne went to buy provisions while Susan did the navigation
planning from Swan Creek to Annapolis. After a busy day, the crew had a
well-deserved dinner at Baywolf restaurant in Rock Hall. SUNDAY, JULY 30, DAY # 2 After breakfast and boat checks, Susan took the helm for
departure, and we were underway by 9:15 am. Jeanne steered us into the pump
out dock while Susan handled a doubled-over midship line for docking. After
pumping out, Jeanne put the boat in reverse and backed on the stern line (as I
held a fender in place) to ease the bow out as Susan eased the midship line
and cast it off. We were on our way to Swan Creek and motored to the
G"1" - LC sailing area where we raised the main with 2 reefs in
place and the full genoa. There were white caps on the water and its best to
be conservative, especially on day number one. Our skipper directed us
downwind towards RN # 14. A preventer was rigged prior to downwind sailing.
The crew sailed downwind broad reaching, gybing and sailing wing-on-wing. Care
was taken while rounding RN 14 as there was boat traffic in the area. As we
were rounding Eastern neck, there was a wind shift and the crew shook out a
reef and unfurled more genoa. It was nice sailing to windward and the crew
enjoyed it. At approximately 2pm, we decided to furl the genoa and motor-sail
as the wind was on the nose and slowing
progress to our destination. Near Love Point the main was dropped and we
continued on under engine power. Another MDSchool boat, NAVIGATOR, passed us
on their way to Swan Creek at the beginning of a Delmarva training cruise.
Following our nav plan, we reached the outer entrance to Swan Creek where we
then followed visual navigation to the mooring field. Susan picked up the
mooring pennant and secured it with a line to our boat on one side. She then
rigged a second line on the other side and by 1645 we were secure on a
mooring. We rigged a windsock and it greatly aided in cooling off below deck.
Later that evening Susan cooked a wonderful Shrimp dinner. The crew was
treated to a lovely sunset to end a wonderful day. MONDAY, JULY 31, DAY # 3 Today’s destination was Annapolis. Our Skipper of the
day was Susan. She had prepared the Nav plan to Annapolis. After the morning
boat checks, Susan cast off both our mooring lines and we were underway by
0855. We motored out of the creek and in the channel past Rock Hall avoiding
numerous crab pots along the way. After passing the G1 buoy, Susan had us head
into the wind. The crew raised a full main saill and genoa. Susan navigated
past the range markers near Love Point and past the Safe Water mark at the
entrance to the shipping channel on the eastern side of the bay. Our skipper
was able to practice taking two-bearing fixes with a handheld compass. Some
useful locations are the Sandy Point Light, the Baltimore Light and other
towers on land. Since the winds were decreasing, the crew furled the Genoa and
we continued motor- sailing with only the main sail up. Susan had SCHOLARSHIP
cross the shipping channel and then head south towards the Bay Bridge. There
was some discussion as to whether to proceed through the main shipping channel
of the bridge or take the smaller channel just to the right of the main
channel. The crew elected to choose the latter. Jeanne steered us under the
bridge, then Susan took over the helm. At approximately 1230, just north of
the Naval anchorage, the crew lowered the main in the dying wind. Susan continued to navigate us into Annapolis. She took
the helm for steering into the harbor which was quite busy with a kid’s
sailing class and a tour boat leaving the harbor. After rounding the mooring
basin on the Ego Alley side, Susan turned left into the row between mooring
buoys. We chose a buoy several away from a catamaran. It was a bit hard for
Susan to see it, but the crew directed her right on it. Jeanne pulled up the
mooring pennant and secured us to the mooring. Once again, we attached two
lines to the mooring. By 1345 were secure on Mooring #8. Although the crew
would have liked more wind, it was a beautiful day. After a break, since it
was early in the day, we all met in the cockpit and had a diesel engine
discussion. Later in the afternoon, we took the water taxi to the Annapolis
Harbor City Marina building for showers. The crew had some free time to walk
around town then we met at Pusser’s for dinner. We took the water taxi back
to the boat. By then, it had been a long day. TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 DAY #4. This morning seemed like one of our “typical”
mornings thus far. The crew had breakfast. Boat checks were completed.
However, later we shall see that this day would prove to be far from ordinary. Susan took the helm for departure, while Jeanne cast off
the lines from our mooring ball. Once again there was a large vessel which
Susan had to negotiate around. Jeanne guided the boat out of Annapolis,
through the channel and out towards the naval anchorage. North of the
anchorage. The crew raised a reefed mainsail and ¾ Genoa. Jeanne and Susan
each took the helm and did a great job handling the helm while close hauled
sailing. It was interesting sailing near a Naval Academy sailboat. They seemed
to tack every time we tacked. After some time, the crew furled the genoa so
that we could motor sail directly to and then under the Bay Bridge. Susan was
at the helm. There was quite a bite of noticeable current under the bridge. We
went through the western section just to the left of the main channel around
11:30 AM. We stayed on the western side past the
Sandy Point Lighthouse while waiting for a tanker and barge to pass us
while they headed south. Once the shipping lanes were clear, Jeanne directed a
turn to cross the lanes at a 90 degree angle. It’s best to get in and out of
those lanes quickly. We continued motor -sailing for a while towards Love
Point since the wind was on the nose. On the way, Susan practiced taking a
bearing on the Range markers near Love Point. After accounting for variation,
her bearing in True Degrees matched up with that marked on the chart. (These
range bearings indicated on the nautical chart are also listed in the Light
List in True Degrees). She also chose to take a bearing on a tank near Rock
Hall. There are two tanks in that area. It takes practice to take accurate
bearings. Our crew was doing well. At approximately 1400 we rounded the Red Nun #2 Buoy near
Love Point. We were about to turn towards the wind to head slightly off the
wind to unfurl the genoa followed by downwind sailing down the Chester River.
I took the helm, so that the crew could handle the lines. However, when I
shifted into forward gear it did not seem to do anything. Increasing rpm’s
did nothing. The shifter did not seem to engage. Susan went down below and
discovered that the propeller shaft had come out of the back of the
transmission! Oh, my word! Jeanne took over the helm and Susan and I went forward to
prep the anchor and rode. Susan lowered the anchor. We were in 30 feet of
water. She deployed 150 feet of chain and rode.
I called a Tow Boat by cell phone and also contacted our sailing staff.
It was not going to be a fun afternoon for the two crew who were
looking forward to different learning opportunities other than tow boat
operations! We were scheduled to go to Gray’s Inn Creek Marina and I had to
cancel. The tow boat provider said that he was 2 hours away on another job so
he called Tow Boat Annapolis since
they could arrive sooner. Shortly, the other tow company called us back and
said they were sending Captain Jacks who was closer to us.
While waiting for Captain Jacks, we started a review for tomorrow’s
ASA 104 test. Captain Jacks
arrived. Jeanne and Susan hauled in the anchor, which was not exactly easy
without being able to motor forward. With the anchor stowed, Captain Jacks
passed us two polypropylene lines which we placed on the bow cleats. Yeah! We
were underway approximately 4:20, and he towed us back to our home marina in
Lankford Bay Marina for repairs. Susan took the helm while we were under tow.
I instructed the crew that when under tow, we still have to monitor the
tow, monitor depths, and other traffic as well. I reminded Captain Jacks that we have a 4 ½ foot draft
and to keep us away from shallow waters. He headed out to deeper water. Once
settled on the tow and the situation was stable, we once again did a bit of
test review on the way back to the marina. The crew was treated to a view of a
traditional Chesapeake Bay skipjacks under sail passing by us in the LC
sailing area. It was a bit uplifting for our spirits to see such a beautiful
vessel. Captain Jacks had us docked in our home slip by 6:30 pm. The crew
quickly cleared the cockpit and we went to Waterman’s for dinner. There was
a lovely sunset. Once back at Scholarship, the crew were given their
plotting assignments to complete. They went over to our sistership ACADAME in
the next slip to do their work and study. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 02, 2023
DAY # 5. Although Acadame had been offered for our use today by
our office manager, because of the light winds the two crew elected to stay in
port today. They also stayed up until 1 AM the night before studying. All gear, both personal and the ship’s extra 104 gear
were removed from the boat. Race, the mechanic from the marina had already
started making repairs while the crew was having breakfast. The boat was
tidied up and we returned to the classroom to the 104 written test and review.
Both crew passed with flying colors. I know that both Susan and Jeanne will be able to safely navigate from port to port in their own future sailing endeavors. They now know what skippering a sailboat entails; from boat checks, to making crew assignments, to sailing a boat safely. Also, in being conservative, whether with the sail plan or navigation. Captain
Robin Bauer
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