In-Port Life "Aboard" During an International Sail Training Vessel Event

St. George’s, Bermuda

 

PRIDE is in good company as sail training vessels from Europe and North America are also gathered in Bermuda. Some finished a race across the Atlantic from Europe and some, like PRIDE, are gathered to join the fleet for the next race from Bermuda to Charleston, NC. This regatta is a result of an opportunity for the international sail training community to help Bermuda celebrate 400 years.

 

The staging for the official Bermuda Tall Ships event, which starts Friday, June 12, is to provide dockage outside the central port of Hamilton for the early arrivals. Hence the collecting fleet is scattered from one end of this island nation to the other. While the visiting vessels await the move to downtown Hamilton, the crew of all ships are busy taking care of their vessels and using their time off to the best advantage. Evening times are spent honoring official and unofficial invitations to ship-board parties or those hosted at local yacht clubs. What distinguishes most international training vessel gatherings is the very strong focus on sailors of 15 years through 25 years. Several of the evening events are therefore geared to those ages and the fact there are several nationalities represented.

 

Taking care of the vessels involves re-victualing, watering, and fueling, as well a wide variety of repairs. Some of the desires and requirements can be very troubling to obtain in this very small nation surrounded by at least 800 nautical miles of water. In the end, what cannot be gotten on the island must be sent in from another country or lived without.

 

Tonight is the first night of official “host” sponsored events. The Mayor of St. George’s is hosting the Captains and officers of those vessels moored in St. George’s. All of us must depart tomorrow and move to Hamilton. Meanwhile there is a “trainee & crew” barbeque being held in the St. George’s Dingy Club at the same time. I wonder which event will be the most lively?

Signed,
Jan C. Miles, Captain Pride of Baltimore II

A Grand Entry Under Full Sail

At 0900 hours Bermuda local time (ADT) PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II took aboard a Bermuda Harbor Pilot while sailing and with the pilot taking the helm and me directing the crew, PRIDE sailed all the way into St. George’s Harbor. With a fresh breeze of about 15-18 knots from the SSW PRIDE made a powerful figure sailing through the narrow St. George’s Cut and then into St. George’s Bay. Visitors walking the pier past PRIDE have spoken loudly and proudly of having seen the entry and taken photos of her arrival. So often the weather does not permit a sailing vessel to enter a port the way it was done many years ago, in a day when there were no mechanical engines to depend on when the wind was not just perfect for harbor entry. Doing so with PRIDE is fun and safe and educational to those aboard as well those looking on…showing that such behavior is more than just beautiful.

Last night’s sail to Bermuda was quite fast at a nearly steady 10 knots. The breeze had freshened steadily all day yesterday and eventually last evening I called for a reef to be put in the mainsail and the jib-topsail to be struck. Even with the reduction of sail PRIDE continued make about 10 knots. Maybe there is a lesson there about not continuing to carry sail as the wind increases. Before reefing I had been closely monitoring the strains upon the traditional rigging holding the topmast and the jib-boom as well sensing the amount of heel. There was no water on deck…but a lot of heel not only represents discomfort and struggle to walk the deck and down below but also represents the amount of strain the lighter rigging of the smaller spars comes under. Speed is usually a good thing and we certainly were getting good speed. But I finally judged that we had no particularly good reason to allow any additional strain to come onto PRIDE and her crew if the wind were to increase further so I ordered the reduction in sail. PRIDE stood up more to the wind and everyone aboard was more comfortable…plus the strain was less on certain rigging…and PRIDE did not slow down!

Signed,
Jan C. Miles, Captain Pride of Baltimore II