Sea Scout Ship Orion #132 June, 2001

The Ship's Log

Summer cruising scheduled arrived without a set calendar this year because we are unsure of the exact date for Orion's haul-out at the Napa Marina. In hopes that we will still be able to make several weekend cruises, we have posted the calendars for June through August. Alternate dates for haul-out and cruises are noted. Please make sure you keep in contact with me for the latest details on any given trip.

Packets for summer cruise preparations will arrive in the mail soon. Each Scout is required to do 12 work hours per month to be eligible. I would like to know immediately which Scout plans to go on which cruises. So far, I know only two Scouts' summer cruising plans.

I will also be asking several of you for help in transporting us somewhere in the Delta for food and supply pick-up mid cruise. Scouts occasionally cannot make the entire cruise, so we have several pick-up and drop-off spots where families can meet us.

The more information we have as soon as possible, the more smoothly cruising is. They are usually a great deal of fun for everyone. I hope your family can join us for a day of adventure somewhere on the Delta.

Katherine Sterling, Skipper

By Nick

On May 24^th, we took the Orion out for her first real cruise. This cruise was to the Ancient Mariner Regatta (AMR) on Coast Guard Island in Alameda.

This cruise all started with preparation on Thursday night at the Petaluma Marina. We got up on Friday morning around about 0630, made breakfast, and started right on our start-up checklists so we would be ready to cruise and have plenty of time to spare for last minute tuning. The crew broke up into three crews: deck crew, navigation crew, and engineering crew. These crews took about a half-hour to about one hour to do their checklists properly. Once all the checklists had been finished, they are all taken to the Skipper and the Officer of the Deck (OOD) to be approved. When all the checklists had been approved, we were ready to cruise. The linesmen were stationed (or the Maneuvering watch is set.) Then it was all to the helmsman and the OOD to get the boat out of the Marina, and we were set to make out five-hour cruise to Alameda's Coast Guard Island.

Once on the water and the Maneuvering watch was secured, then the watches started. Mr. Sterling briefed the watches on proper watch standing procedure, and then we started the watch of the day. This cruise was a training and refresher cruise. The watches included helmsman, bow lookout, stern lookout, and navigation/radio, Junior Office of the Deck (JOOD or JOD) and the OOD in charge of all.

On the cruise we were also training JOD's for SEAL; three scouts will attend SEAL this summer, so we alternated through all three. We arrived at AMR safely and had a great cruise with no problems. The engines ran great and all other equipment stayed intact. Once in the estuary the Maneuvering watch was set and the call was made to the AMR portmaster. This call was not answered, but that is what cell phones are for; so Mr. Sterling called Skipper Shellhorn with his cell phone to request docking instructions.

On Monday the 28^th we left for home, after receiving our CLIPPER at the awards ceremony. Once again we did our entire checklist, and we had them approved by the OOD. We then waited for the Compass Rose to leave so that we could follow them out and go home together. Once we entered the estuary there were many, many other boats out there, mainly sailboats. We kept the maneuvering watch posted while we maneuvered throughout the sailboats. Once in the bay we set the watches and headed home.

With our Clipper crew aboard and spirits high, we all learned as much about cruising and sleeping as possible. The cruise home was a more laid-back cruise. Everyone thought about the weekend, the things that they had learned, things that they could have improved on, and some just thinking about how much homework that they had to do once they got home, but we were all proud of our Clipper.

We got to the Marina about 1400 that afternoon. We docked and cleaned up the boat. The shutdown checklists were done, and the boat was washed and all gear put away. That was our cruise to and from AMR. We had made it there and back in one piece, and we were now ready to go home and sleep. It was a great cruise!

Early Saturday sleepy parents drove their very excited scouts to the Human Race. We stood there at the Walgreens' parking lot trying not to fall asleep. We headed out for the walk. We walked and walked until the 3k was done. After the race we collected our free Human Race T-shirts.

Scouts who collected over $200 will cruise for free this summer. The Scouts who will collect a free 10-day summer cruise are Amanda and Doug. Good job!

After the Human Race we all went to the Scout Hut to have a regatta practice. The Human Race has always been a fun event and it will even be better next year! Oh, yeah, thanks to all the parents for taking their scouts there so early.

The Bridge of Honor is designed to congratulate people on moving up in rank or completing some feat. This time many Scouts had finished their boating safety class.

Skipper Sterling and Nick Rogers (Boatswain) organized and ran this event. Steven, as runner, made sure to follow Nick's request for things like asking the crew to come aboard or sending for the Skipper's party.

James and Amanda received their Apprentice rank.

Adults receiving their Venturing Leadership award included: Mike Guilford, Stanley Sterling, Barry Thorsson, and Binky Thorsson.

Adam and Evan presented the colors for the ceremony. The Compass Rose also joined us at our bridge. Guests of the Scouts were also invited to watch the bridge from around the room. Overall the bridge worked out well and everything was a success.

On Memorial Day weekend, many of the scouts participated in the 49^th annual Ancient Mariner's Regatta, or AMR. This was our biggest regatta of the year, next to Old Salt's and Seafarer's. For the second year in a row, we achieved the ranking of Clipper, which is the highest rank given at a Sea Scout regatta. We also obtained this ranking at Old Salt's this year. Each time it grants an exhilarating feeling to all of the Scouts present. AMR was no exception as when the name "Orion" for Clipper class was called, there was a tremendous cheering from our crew.

There was a great deal of hard work done that weekend to get the rank that we did. We placed in many events such as pulling boat, rope climb, and the infamous one-of-a-kind AMR obstacle course. All of our hard work throughout the year led up to this weekend, and it paid off.

The thing that made this year's AMR even more special was that our crew had the privilege of displaying the colors (flags) for the awards ceremony. The color guard, consisting of Adam E, as drill cockswain; Evan, presenting the National Ensign (American flag); Steven presenting the California flag; and Lenny (Adam B), as the sideboy, received the compliments of a job well done. They also received much praise for their ability to dance to the music while waiting for the awards ceremony to start!

This was another great regatta, and it will remain in everyone's memory for many years to come.

We have scheduled several Wednesdays at Spring Lake. For those of you who are new, these Wednesdays are usually laid-back, small boat sailing, canoe, and kayaking days with dinner available in the evening. We are usually there from 1000-1900. Families are invited to join us, but we need to know several days in advance if you plan to join us for dinner. Scouts should wear their uniforms, bring lunch and water, wear sun block, and bring extra clothes for warm or cold days or wet spills in the lake. A couple of Scouts must also help with equipment pick-up and delivery, requiring an extra 1-2 hours before and after actual event times; this time towards for work hours.

Directions to Spring Lake:

Follow Hoen Avenue across Summerfield Road into the residential section east of Summerfield Road. Take a left at the first stop sign and follow the road around until you arrive at the park range station; it costs $4 entrance fee. Turn left and follow the road to the parking lot and launch ramp. There is nowhere dependable to buy food; occasionally the concession stand is open by the swimming pond, but is not dependable and certainly not recommended for anything other than light snacks.

Ed and Nick Rogers volunteered to mow and trim the Moreland Avenue storage area by themselves. They even brought all their own tools. We appreciate a job well done! Thanks again.

KUDOS to all the adults who visited us at AMR. Most volunteered to help judge, and everyone took pictures. The AMR staff was short-handed this year, and our adults helped fill needed judging and chaperone positions; none of these big events happen without the volunteers. Thank You!

The paint on the hull of the Orion made us look REALLY good as we cruised. Check out the "look" on our web site.

Orion offers 2-hour cruises down the Petaluma River for family, friends, and supporting organizations. Please check the cruising schedule and plan to join us on one or more of these cruises. Orion crew puts on a "really good show." You get a first-hand look at your Scout's duties and a taste of the adventure that is Sea Scouting.

When we haul the Orion out of the water at the Napa Marina, several adults are needed to spray wash, sand, scrape, and paint the bottom. This is a messy job, but is essential to the safety of the boat, and, therefore, the Scouts. Call Skipper Sterling if you can spare a few hours or a day. If you really would like to participate in the entire thing, you can even stay overnight on the boat! It could be an adventure!

To contact Skipper Sterling you may send her an email at:

Meeting called to order at 7:09 PM by Chairman Margaret Guilford.

Katherine Sterling, Stan Sterling, Kathy Berry, and Wilma Cheong

Motion made by Stan and seconded by Wilma to accept the minutes, motion passed.

Treasurer's Report

No Report

Boatswain's Report

No Report

Thank you to the Rogers family for mowing the Moorland area.

Our cruise to AMR was successful. No problems with the boats. The scouts earned "Clipper." Adults volunteered to help judge and observe scouts. We were asked to do color guard and did an excellent job.

Changes in dates for cruises. We are working on haul out for the boat and will probably cruise to Napa and leave the boat. The kids and myself have schedules the summer cruises, Spring Lake, and the long cruise in August. Check the schedule for the dates.

We have some leads on where to have a flag retiring ceremony. Still don't have dates or location.

The website is up and running. Check it out.

No report

Adam E. earned ordinary.

The boat is running. It runs well. Happy with the performance. We are trying to schedule a haul out at the Napa Valley Marina.

Nick is going to SEAL training the end of June and Steven July 13.

No deposits for cruises received yet.

None

None

Motion made by Wilma to adjourn, Kathy seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:11 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Wilma Cheong.

We are always in desperate need of parents to volunteer to help at meetings, work parties, volunteer events, cruises, fun activities, and overnight trips. Boy Scout rules require that we have two non-related adults in attendance at all functions. We also must have one male and one female at all overnight trips, both day and night.

Please sign up on the monthly calendar at the weekly scout meetings. If every parent volunteers one day a month we will have all activities covered.

Don't forget the monthly Committee/Parent Meetings. They are the second Tuesday of each month at the Scout Hut. They start at 7:00 PM.

6/27 - 7/4 Sponsor's Fund Raising Event

7/11 Wednesday's at Spring Lake start

7/13 - 7/16 Cruise

8/9 - 8/18 Cruise that ends at Hogback

9/21 Pasta Feed

10/20 YBI

June, 2001

Newsletter Editor

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