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Date: Friday, August 23, 2002
Ernestina Shakedown Sail and
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

 
Schooner Ernestina soaked up overnight. All looks great!

When wooden ships are hauled out for a period of time they dry out to some extent. Thus, for Ernestina during our weeks on the railway. As the ship went in yesterday we started a careful monitoring of the bilge (lowest part of the ship) for water influx (at normal rates) so that we can compare it to flows as we get underway. Ernestina is back to normal and then some.

At 10 am US Coast Guard inspectors arrived to begin a careful examination of the performance of Ernestina under sail. The wind is blowing out of the North at 20 knots and we know that we'll be able to give the ship a good test.

We departed the dock in late morning and motored out to set a double-reefed main, foresail and jumbo. Ernestina was able to call on help from Coast Guard once again as Carl Moberg, John Winter, Will Hart, Christine Schrader and David Campion hauled with a will on the halyard alongside our crew and volunteers. You can see our track in the chart to the right as we tacked back and forth and sailed off the wind for a time.

We sailed in with full approvals and confident we had tackled the recent problems that led to the haulout and have a green light to sail on with our schedule!

As the ship returned to the dock, Capt. Morse stepped off with relief from Capt. Amanda Madeira. Now, this was a longer stint than Sophie expected a month ago but she stayed on to see the ship through. Great work by her and the crew!

We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to the US Coast Guard for their service and commitment during the rescue effort for Ernestina as well as throughout the passage back to New Bedford from Greenport and during the repairs.

Now, back to programs!

Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
Friday, August 23 through Sunday, August 25
Transit New Bedford to Boston

This afternoon was a flurry of activity, getting every last bit of our preparations completed [almost!] in time for the arrival of the ISACS group. This group of young diversity leaders represent 5 independent schools all over the Midwest and California, and they have been selected by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States for this leadership retreat and teambuilding experience focused on issues of diversity in their independent secondary schools and in their lives.

Trip leader and organizer John Braman, president of ISACS, is no stranger to Ernestina. His history with the ship reaches back to the Cape Verde Islands in the late 70's and early 80's and later during his time serving as Massachusetts Department of Education designee on the Schooner Ernestina Commission in the 90's.

Tom Goux greeted the group and escorted their bus ride down to New Bedford as they flew in from around the country into Boston. After a visit to historic sites in New Bedford, they joined the ship for dinner onboard.

As the crew finished installing our new block-foam flotation below the fo'c's'le sole, the students, representing 5 independent schools throughout the Midwest and California, gathered around the wheel to get to know each other and talk about their goals and aspirations-for this trip and for their lives. With this group, the conversation immediately delved into deeply held personal goals, beliefs, and dreams. As crew members finished their work and joined the group, we soon knew we were in for highly substantive and focused program with this group!

Around 2100 we gathered for introductions to watch groups and brief hold orientations; then a weary gang settled in their bunks for sleep-punctuated for most by participation in hour-long dock watches through the night.

Captain: Amanda Madeira
Program Coodinator: MaryHelen Gunn

Jessica Bryant pulls nettles through as the double reef is put in the Mains'l.

The jumbo goes aloft.

Everyone on board pulled with a will including US Coast Guard inspectors during the shakedown sail.

Capt. Sophie Morse and Program Coordinator Steve Kirk sailing with a double reefed main.

The Massachusetts and Cape Verdean flags fly aloft on the main mast rig.

John Braman and the ISACS team gather on the stern for introductory activities.

The ISACS team gathered as Program Coordinator MaryHelen Gunn describes the some of the upcoming activities for the next two days.

We would like to thank Lotus and IBM for donation of software, hardware and funding to enable regular electronic updates from the ship.

NOAA Chart is provided courtesy of Maptech using Cruising Navigator 4.3 and grabbing the image using Grabit Pro 6.02.

 
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Copyright 1997-2002
Schooner Ernestina
89 North Water Street, P.O. Box 2010, New Bedford, MA 02741-2010
phone 508.992.4900 -- fax 508.984.7719
www.ernestina.org

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