As the students rotated through classes Ernestina, tacked out of the New Bedford Channel. Another tack took the student within a stones through of the Treated Sewage outfall area. The students were all interested to see the other end of the treatment pant that they had visited the day before. We sailed deep into Clarks Cove then back to the channel. We watched as we were passed by different fishing boats from the New Bedford Fleet and the passenger ferry Schamonchi.

It was a full day of learning. Then we struck the sails, which was obviously some of the student favorite part. A few energetic students were selected to go out on the bowsprit and furl the Jib. As we struck the main the young crewmembers folded huge folds of the sail while others hauled on lines. Nick Vessie asked if "we were positive," if we wanted a four foot coil on the main sheet.

We asked some of the students what was the Best thing about their day aboard the Ernestina and this is what they said:

Amanda Ferrie - I liked learning how to make the bracelets.

Erin Whitson - I learned a lot.

Cara Gosselin - I liked learning how to make the bracelets.

Jessica Bouve - I enjoyed helping the crew and learning how to sail.

Chris Altman - I loved the open ocean, nothing on the horizon, just emptiness and peace.

Kayla Peck - I loved the peace and quiet and being able to put up the sails.

Nadya Clark - I liked going on the bowsprit. It was awesome and I felt special.

Billy Nelson - I loved the Bowsprit.

Lisa Kelley - the Ocean was very nice and it was very clean and quiet.

Hedi Gaspie - I liked that we helped put up the sails and take them down.

Matt Sloan - I loved everything on the boat, especially bringing up the sails, there was never a dull moment.

Maggie Leary - . . .putting the sails down and putting them up. I had a great day.

Amy Robitaille - I loved taking the sails down and the ocean.

Irene Sturtevant - I had a great time working as a team. The crew was very nice the boat reminded me of the movies.

Nick Vessie - I liked going on the bow sprit and the whole day was fantastic*

Audra Hebard - I thought the bowsprit was the best. Just being able to handle all this pulling and heaving is a great feeling. I also liked steering the ship between the bouys. I also liked folding the four sails.

Dan Belair - seeing like the sails, bringing them up and working them, and being able to just do it.

Chris Zannotti - steeriing the boat was really fun & pulling ropes was a good experience.

Robert Anderson - Just learning about the boat.

z A special thanks goes out to Jeff Rudert who spearheaded all the details from the school's side. He was great to have on board. Jeff has offered that if anyone has any questions about how to best organize those types of details to call him at 508-832-7722. Also Tony DeFrino, the principal of Auburn Middle School, was invaluable in making these programs happen. z

After-School Program Overnight Program

We departed the State Pier with 11 After school participants, Polly Zajac, Chris Stone (volunteer), and 12 crew.   Many students were familiar with the ship as most had gone out on a daysail, one on an overnight and two who had never been on board before. In two hours all the ships company raised sail, coiled down, steered the ship, laid out 90 feet of heavy anchor chain and furled the sails all in thick fog. All were happy when dinner came and now we are all enjoying the anchorage on the East side of West Island.

Captain: Amanda Madeira
Program Coordinator: MaryHelen Gunn