On A Roll…

Now underway aboard Schooner Virginia– here’s Amelia’s story on the end of the Bermuda’s festival and the past week aboard the Virginia:

As the festival in Bermuda drew to a close, crew celebrated with a spirited parade to Victoria Park.  Awards were announced and given for the race and parade.  Rona II was victorious in the crew parade category, dressed as festive and colorful “indians.”  Everyone I talked with had an amazing time in Bermuda, and appreciated all the thoughtful amenities given to crew such as free internet, calling cards and soft drinks!

 The parade of sail out of Hamilton on Monday morning was a great end to the festival.  Led by Cisne Branco and Kruzenshtern, Schooner Virginia followed Concordia with tall ships Europa and Pride of Baltimore II behind us in line.  Last was Spirit of Bermuda, who shined as the local vessel as she was escorted by a fleet of surrounding recreational boats.

 Though a hazy morning, most ships in the parade set sail as we neared Dockyard.  Europa looked especially magnificent in full sail against the morning light.  Heading out to the start, the wind picked up and seas began to rise.  To my amusement, Pride II broke the line and passed Virginia, joined by Europa.  Schooner Virginia isn’t participating in the race, instead using the offshore crossing as an opportunity for a celestial navigation course.  But before heading to anchor in St. George Harbor for the night, we sped through wind and rain to catch Pride II at the start and then turned back.

 Tuesday we took the day off to visit Bermuda’s natural beauty; caves, beaches and snorkeling.  Now we are underway, averaging about four to six knots in steady winds and scattered squalls accompanied by heavy rain.  I’ve been a bit of a sickling since I was unaccustomed to her rolling, but am starting to recover and become a fully functioning member of “C” watch.

 I just finished a sunny midday watch, and last night featured beautiful skies with bright starts and strong winds.  During the day and night, celestial navigation courses are taught by Professor Clark to the crew and two guest crew.  “Things are progressing nicely, although the sun has been elusive,” says Professor Clark.

 On watch it is easy to notice that Schooner Virginia is very much a teaching ship.  Trainees focus on four important areas when first orientated to the boat; safety, helm, boat checks and line handling.  During watch, my watch leader has instructed me on the compass points because the ship’s compass doesn’t have numbers, only letters to steer by.  I’m beginning to pick up on this pattern and system while at the helm and looking forward to learning more by the end of the voyage!

Next stop, Charleston!

Pride of Baltimore 2, Europa, Mircea_Bermuda Race Start

The ships are on their way to Charleston after a fantastic event and send off in Hamilton, Bermuda. The start of race three was aided by a brisk south-westerly wind blowing between 20-26 knots. First across the line in the Class A group was Kruzenshtern (RUS), followed by Capitan Miranda (URU) and Europa (NETH). Of the smaller B’s and C’s, Rona II (UK) was first, then Peter von Danzig (GER) and Urania (NETH). 

So far, on corrected time, Capitan Miranda is leading the Class A’s with Tecla in the lead of the Class B’s and Peter von Danzig leading the D class.  On the water, Peter von Danzig seems to be in the lead and in a fierce “fish off” with Fazisi.

Meanwhile Spirit of Bermuda and Pride of Baltimore 2 continue their friendly rivalry, with the two ships closely matched in speed, with the Spirit of Bermuda crew working hard to maintain their lead over Pride of Baltimore 2. See the picture below for great shot of the two of the ships battling it out on the water. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for some in depth analyzation of the different sailing strategies of the full-rigged ships versus the smaller sailing vessel, courtesy of Capt. Miles of the Pride of Baltimore 2.

Bermuda – Nelly’s Update

Bermuda has welcomed us so well! As soon as we arrived at the dock we were greeted by our ships liaison who filled us in on all the activities and facilities they had set up for us.  Every night there has been a barbeque or festival which has given the ship’s crews great opportunities to get to know each other.  

Tall Ships gather in Hamilton- Amelia’s Update

Front Street in Hamilton Thursday night.

Following a crew party Wednesday night at the Dinghy Club in St. George that was filled with barbeque and great music (including bluegrass from the talented crew of Pride of Baltimore II and a sing-along from Rona II),  a Thursday morning parade of ships made their way from St. George to Hamilton, Bermuda.

Nelly’s fully-rigged adventure

Written by ASTA Intern Nelly

Freshly caught Mahi on BOUNTY

It wasn’t until we caught the Mahi at the end of my watch on board the HMS Bounty on the first day that I really felt as though we were out at sea.  The sun was setting as we pulled the fish from the line we had been dragging behind us and, while we were likely within a hundred miles of the shore, it felt like we were in the middle of the ocean. 

Blind Dates celebrate, meet face-to-face after long race

ASTA’s intrepid summer intern, Amelia, was a fly on the wall for the big reveal and the conclusion of the Blind Date game in Bermuda (read original entry here)….

Amelia’s Voyage on Pride of Baltimore II from Jacksonville to Bermuda

 

PRIDE OF BALTIMORE 2 heading to Bermuda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve arrived in Bermuda on Pride of Baltimore II and had a great sail with beautiful weather!  Here’s a bit about my voyage:

Tall ships welcomed to Bermuda

PETER VON DANZIG arrives in Bermuda

Tall ships seem to be converging on the island of Bermuda, arriving from all over the Atlantic. Peter von Danzig recieved the Race Two line honors after being the first to cross the finish line under sail on June 5th. The crew reported that they had a nice bit of wind at the end to help carry them to Bermuda after 20 days at sea.

Race called due to lack of wind

An ocean as smooth as glass (STI photo). Taken by ETOILE

On June 2nd, seventeen days from the start of the race, the Sail Training International Race Committee called off the second race in the TALL SHIPS® ATLANTIC CHALLEGE for the Class A and B vessels to ensure they would arrive in time for the start of the Bermuda festival on June 12.  The vessels have been suffering from an annoying lack of wind. Limp, empty sails, relentless sun and heat, all conspired to test the mettle of the crews.  As the vessels switched on their motors, the capatins noted time and location. As of now, the standings are as follows:

What happens if you have a tall ship race and the wind fails to show?

 

No wind continues to plague the TALL SHIPS ATLANTIC CHALLENGE® fleet as the Sail Training International Race Committee debates on whether to let the ships take their positions and turn on motors, or keep  fingers crossed that the wind picks up and carries the ships out of these doldrums in time to make it to Bermuda next weekend.