"Oops!": Colorado Springs School Day 6

Francis Bay, St. John, USVI

Andrew S. (‘14) Audrey B. (‘22) Finnegan T. (‘22) Cailian R. (‘23)

We began our day at 0745, amazingly late compared to our typical schedule. Upon awakening we were already under way, motor sailing directly into the wind. After finishing our breakfast of “boatmeal” and toppings we set the sail and began our morning chores. Each watch group had three rotations, through active watch, rest and relaxation, and seamanship. The bow lookouts had a fun time dealing with swells which thoroughly soaked them every thirty seconds or thereabouts. On our seamanship rotation we learned new knots, new sea shanties, and learned advanced principles of navigation, such as taking bearings usings the ship’s radar. The morning passed by without ordeal, despite the length of the sail.

Our afternoon, on the other hand, was slightly more eventful: our soup was blown off of our spoons, and our quesadillas flapped away in the wind. At 1317 a loud snap echoed across the ship, and the peak of the mainsail gaff swung down. The students were ushered out onto the foredeck, away from any source of potential danger, and the professionals took over. Andrew S. (‘14) was awoken from his slumber, and quickly ran to assist in the lowering of the sail. What had happened was the main peak halyard snapped, releasing the weight of the mainsail, and the gaff solely onto the throat halyard (shoutout throat halyard). The sail was lowered and damage control began. The boom and gaff were lashed together using all of the gaskets, and the sail was secured to the quaterbits on the quarterdeck.

We used the remaining sails and the motor to hurry into 18° 21.656’ N 064° 45.020’ Francis Bay, St. John, USVI, USA, NA. Currently we are seeking a new halyard, yet to be obtained. Further updates to come.