Second Overnight
May 14, 2011
Today is my first day on the Spirit of Massachusetts, and my first night that I slept on the boat was the most terrifying and amazing thing I have done in a long time.
I was scared because I have seen so many different movies where things have gone wrong and I was scared that something may go wrong here. It was comforting because I was rocked to sleep by gentle waves lapping against the side of the boat. It was the hardest part trying to get used to not sitting straight up and hitting my head.
My favorite part of the trip so far was getting my harness on and going out to help untie the Jib. I have this really bad fear of heights and love for the sea. I was really timid at first about walking on the lines but I got used to it. Another part that was hard for me to do was learn the words of communication, "lay on" and "lay off."
The night watches were hard as well. I was cold when I first got up on deck and had a hard time looking for the lit buoys in the water. So I can only hope for the best. It was an amazing first day on the water. Can't wait to see what happens next. The food is great and the crew is really nice and cool. Time for muster-more later, bye 4 now.
Valentina - Out
May 15, 2011
Today is the last day on the Spirit, and I think I am going to miss it here. The crew is really cool and helpful. I learned some new knots on my watch at 2:35 AM. I made friends that I didn't even know went to my school. The hardest part was trying to get back to sleep while it was raining so hard. I felt bad for Alex because her watch got stuck in the rain.
I loved the view from my anchor watch. We were anchored right in front of the Statue of Liberty. She was an amazing sight to see at 2:30 AM. She looked so majestic and strong standing on her platform.
Another thing I loved about the trip was it showed me that all of the terms I was learning in school really are used on boats. The crew always repeats commands and uses marine terms like "avast," "starboard," "port," "rig," "head rig," "peak halyard." All of the words that I was learning in my Maritime Lit class.
This sailing trip showed me that I'm stronger than I thought I was. I never thought I could get up at 2 AM to keep watch. It was a lot of fun. The people on my "C" watch were amazing. I made a good friend while on this trip. My teacher Brendan is really funny and helpful. I didn't really know Rebecca that well, but I learned that she is an amazing person, and like us students, she had a lot to learn about taking orders and helping to make the ship sail smoothly.
-Valentina
11th Grade Student
May 14, 2011
A Day on the Spirit of Massachussets
I must say, I was skeptical about this overnight sailing trip. But for the first time in a long time, I was wrong. I'm glad I cam. I met some very interesting people: Ryan, Oakley, Ian, Jen, Matt, Abi, Anthony, and Captain. Anthony I must say, is a good cook and keeps our bellies full. Matt is First Mate, Ryan is Second and Jen is Third Mate. Ian and Oakley are deckhands. Abi is the educator. I have never met a group of more interesting people.
This experience is my first overnight and its a shame to say its my last because I'm graduating this year. I didn't have this opportunity to do this my previous years. So I am hoping that this program will continue because I'm sure many students would like to have the experience. I sure did enjoy myself and learned a lot.
Much thanks to the crew of the Spirit of Massachusetts.
-Jerry
12th Grade StudentFirst Overnight
May 6, 2011:
May 6, 2011:
Spirit of Massachusetts
Today so far has been exciting and horrible at once. It's my first time on an overnight trip. At first, I was really excited, but then as the day progressed I got sea sick. If you don't know how that feels, it's the worst feeling of all! But besides the fact that I was sick for most of the time, I got to do a lot of things. I hauled up sails and I got to coil the ropes. I really got the experience of a crew on a ship. This is a wonderful trip and I think people would enjoy it, but its not my thing. So far I have been sick like a dog and want to go home and sleep on my bed. I'll probably sleep like a baby when I'm home. I did learn new things. I learned commands and what to do in case of an emergency.
May 7, 2011:
Well it is day two now, and so far no sickness. I am really enjoying the day so far. For one, today is a beautiful sunny day and we started
it around 7 AM. Thank God I am feeling better now because last night I felt horrible.
After we ate breakfast, we started the day. First by picking up the anchor and hauling up the sails. I think the sails are called the "jib," the "fore," the "main sail" and I am not sure what the other one is. I participated in the usual hauling and coiling but I also got to do bow watch. Besides all of that, the best part of the day was when we anchored and got to go ashore! Land! I got so excited, they had a vending machine and a live band :). We also got to hike up this huge mountain. But it was all worth it when we go to the top and enjoyed the beautiful view.
After all that, we headed back to the dock to wait for the little boat. Kyle found a tick on him, and we all had to get searched for ticks. It was funny to me because it reminded me of monkeys looking for ticks on their child.
I also enjoyed the fact that Cate, Ann, and Abi made us solve these riddles, which always had a depressing turn out. When we got back on the boat, all of the kids played eye spy (I know, right, how cute!). Then it was time for dinner. I must admit, at first I was a little afraid that we would have to eat can meals only, but boy did that cook prove me wrong.
It is so beautiful this scenery! I wouldn't expect to see so many trees in NY. Throughout the days we have all become like a little family. Before I barely knew any of the kids, but now we goof around like friends.
The crew is also very nice and welcoming. I have felt very comfortable here. For example, when I felt sick, they were constantly checking up on me, and that made me feel happy. Also the have a lot of patience. Even we mess up or don't do somethings right, they're always understanding and helpful about the situation. As the hours progress, I know it's getting closer and closer to the time to go home. Even though I am very eager to go home and take a shower, I know I will miss this all. I have had such a great experience so far, and I have learned a lot. I'm pretty sure if I told someone I know how to coil a rope, they wouldn't have a clue what I'm talking about. I am very thankful to the crew of the Spirit of Massachusetts and the New York Harbor School for letting me have an amazing experience like this. I'm pretty sure a lot of people don't get to do this or even anything like this. Plus its free! :)
-Clarissa
9th Grade Student
May 6, 2011
So after school, I went on board the Spirit of Massachusetts on my first overnight. I was really stoked! I was really rusty since the last time I was on a boat so I had to re-learn everything. I enjoyed my time today and I love being here. There is so much to do and I actually really felt like I could help and DO something instead of sitting around waiting for someone to assign me a job or read something and do it.
Anchor watch was at 0000, which is 12:00 @ night. I took a nap for the two hours that I had until my watch and i slept pretty well despite the cold. I was rocked to sleep by the boat and it felt great. On my watch with Ann, I learned how to find the North Star using the Big Dipper constellation. Sailing at night was cool. Everything looks so different when it is on water. Especially at night with all of the lights and stuff. I learned how to do a proper depth sounding with a weight and rope, and how to gave info to the next watch. It was an amazing time here. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
May 7, 2011
Today, breakfast was amazing. I woke up earlier than expected because of the sunlight. We started off with cleaning the ship. I was helping clean the galley and the area around it. I also helped with the dishes.
We then moved on to the regular hauling of the sails. I learned about table and scandalizing where the peak of the sail is lower than the throat. I went out to the pointy wood thing in front of the bow (the name escapes me) and I was scared because the waves were bouncing us around so high and I felt like the rope supporting us would move out from under my feet and send me plummeting towards the water. After that, I did a little bit more rope handling. Then Alex and I went to learn about the lines, where and what they are called; and what the parts of the sails were. With my bad memory, it was hard as heck to remember it all. I was a little frustrated that I couldn't remember it too well, but I got some reminders from Oakley. We then went to a boat basin in New Jersey and walked up a mountain. It was nice to be on land again and see nature up close. I loved nature from the start, so I really enjoyed walking up the nature trail. It was a long way back down, but when we got back on the ship, we had a delicious dinner. I felt like I could live here!
-Neidaly
12th Grade Student
May 6, 2011
So after school, I went on board the Spirit of Massachusetts on my first overnight. I was really stoked! I was really rusty since the last time I was on a boat so I had to re-learn everything. I enjoyed my time today and I love being here. There is so much to do and I actually really felt like I could help and DO something instead of sitting around waiting for someone to assign me a job or read something and do it.
Anchor watch was at 0000, which is 12:00 @ night. I took a nap for the two hours that I had until my watch and i slept pretty well despite the cold. I was rocked to sleep by the boat and it felt great. On my watch with Ann, I learned how to find the North Star using the Big Dipper constellation. Sailing at night was cool. Everything looks so different when it is on water. Especially at night with all of the lights and stuff. I learned how to do a proper depth sounding with a weight and rope, and how to gave info to the next watch. It was an amazing time here. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
May 7, 2011
Today, breakfast was amazing. I woke up earlier than expected because of the sunlight. We started off with cleaning the ship. I was helping clean the galley and the area around it. I also helped with the dishes.
We then moved on to the regular hauling of the sails. I learned about table and scandalizing where the peak of the sail is lower than the throat. I went out to the pointy wood thing in front of the bow (the name escapes me) and I was scared because the waves were bouncing us around so high and I felt like the rope supporting us would move out from under my feet and send me plummeting towards the water. After that, I did a little bit more rope handling. Then Alex and I went to learn about the lines, where and what they are called; and what the parts of the sails were. With my bad memory, it was hard as heck to remember it all. I was a little frustrated that I couldn't remember it too well, but I got some reminders from Oakley. We then went to a boat basin in New Jersey and walked up a mountain. It was nice to be on land again and see nature up close. I loved nature from the start, so I really enjoyed walking up the nature trail. It was a long way back down, but when we got back on the ship, we had a delicious dinner. I felt like I could live here!
-Neidaly
12th Grade Student
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