Sail the islands

With all there is to learn, you must take those quiet moments to observe the great majesty of Puget Sound, of the San Juan Islands, and the sun, sky and water. This is what it's all about.

Rigging and life aboard

Ever look at the rigging on a tall ship. Such a busy sight. Lines going everywhere. The more sails, the more lines. It's not all that difficult, just takes time to sort out.

All sails are raised with a halyard (from Haul Yard in the old sailing ship days). A gaff rig, the Adventuress has a 'boom' at the top of the sail, called the gaff, so there are two halyards, the throat and the peak. A "sheet" controls the sails angle to the wind once it's up. That's the basics. Each sail tends to have an extra control line or two to add to the complexity. The jib has two sheets and a dwonhaul (to pull it down when you're done). The main sails typically have a

topping lift to hold up the boom so the sails don't take the load. The Adventuress has two lifts, port side and starboard, on both the main and the foresail. Not all that bad, after a week of jumping through hoops. But it's great fun.

Control of a ship this size requires a skeleton crew of probably six. But it's a whole lot easier with about a dozen people. And they all need organization, the job of the first mate. Sarah here is explaining something to Petter, a new crew member. Typically she'll be roaming the deck constantly, grab the nearest deck hand and give an instruction. You learn to control every aspect of the boat. And that's exciting.

Sailing this boat is great fun but that's only part of the reason for her existence. Teaching about the Puget Sound ecosystem is a major part of live aboard. We learn and ultimately explain to

others about plankton (2/3 of the earth's oxygen comes from phytoplankton) , marine life (some

creatures started out life as zooplankton, specifically meroplankton). and watersheds (when rain runs off the land, it heads for the sea, the great reservoir, and picks up bad stuff along the way). Monica here is an experience hand and excellent program coordinator. She can get you past any hurdle.

Life aboard is a fifth station taught to passengers. The boat is our model of the earth. Limited resources (food, water, fuel, sleeping s

pace, etc) and you have to take care of the

m. One day you'll run out if you fail to conserve properly. On the boat you learn to live in very close proximity to your shipmates, 24 hours a day.

There's no place to be alone (except the head and we don't spend much time in there). So you learn to compromise. Give up some habits, accept some, and generally respect each other's space. The galley is small but it feeds over 30 people three times a day.

You have your own bunk, sumplemented by your own sleeping bag. The bugs are put away every morning because they become benches for the t

able in the main cabin. No choice here, make yo

ur bed and put away everything, in

one duffel bag.

Getting out of that warm bunk is req

uired any night the ship is at anchor. When at anchor, someone must be on deck all night to be sure the wind doesn't come up, the boat drags anchor and runs aground, or any other nasty surprises. You stand watch one hour a night, and it rotates, so cushy first watch every night. In a couple of days it becomes something to look forward to. Stars for sure. Northern Lights if we're really lucky, and a swish of a broom in the water can stir up that glow from the plankton. Yes, life is good, even on a cold night. Then back to the bunk until wakeup call and breakfast!!

Daily chores, right after breakfast ever month: galley duty (wash dishes, clean the floor, counter and stove, put away food), below deck (hand wash the floors and clean the heads) and on deck (wash the whole deck and straighten all deck boxes).

After lunch and dinner you wash your own dishes.

Hot soap wash, hot water rinse, water/bleach soak, air dry per Washington food handlers requirements. On good days we wash the dishes on deck. What fun. "Water Over!"

Crew Training

Arriving by Ferry from Anacortes, for my traing week about the Adventuress, I have no doubts about where to go. She'll be the tall ship with the masts. Rounding the corner to Friday Harbor presents a sea of masts. On my gosh, was she docked to port or starboard of the ferry terminal. First stage of panic strikes.Fortunately months of preparing for this adventure had me looking at every facebook posting of the Adventuress. It was instant recognition, her clean lines, her stately manner. I'm beside myself with anticipation. I want to be up close.

A short walk from the ferry, down the main pier,

the tall masts looming every closer. And then you're there, standing next to her. Glorious even dockside. What next? What's protocol? Do I need be piped aboard? No one on deck. Boldly I climb the dockside ladder with my pack, my entire world of possessions for the next week. I look around cautiously - no one. I call into the deck house - no response. I wander to the main companion way and call. Sara, first mate, responds. They're in a debrief that I've just causlly interrupted. I'll return later.

Next morning we're off to begin the lessons. An early start every day, in the cool morning air. Sometimes fog greets you, sometimes glassy calm, and sometimes the wind.

In any ca

se it's great to be under way. Lesson one begins with basic sail training.

Two masts, four sails and a million ropes. But we call them lines, and each has a purpose, and before the week is out you will know each one by name and it will be your friend.