Waiting for Capt. Samworth to arrive, the scouts watched water snakes along the shore at Belmont Bay Harbor Marina.
Oooh, that's a nice one!
Two more, sunning on the rocks!
Ship 7916 scouts listened attentively to Capt. Samworth's safety orientation.
Who is that, anyway?
Capt. Samworth demonstrates how to use the renewable fire extinguisher. No special skill necessary; just dip and dump!
Then he gave a lesson on how to use the chemical extinguisher.
Of course, the orientation included the "man" overboard drill, as well. Sarah knew the 3 things to do: 1. Yell "man overboard! 2. Point to the person and keep your eye on him or her. 3. Throw them something that floats.
Orientation would not be complete without a quick lesson in how to use the head. Definition of "head": the only bad part of a boat.
Next, down to the engine room. Cool!
You're next, Jonathan. Down the hatch!
It's a brand new 6-cylinder Cummins CTA series diesel, donated courtesy of Chesapeake Cummins and ZF Marine transmission. At 300 HP, it's got a little more power than Amanda Grace's Volvo Penta.
I think he likes it!
Scouts also learned how to tie off the boat at the dock.
Capt. Samworth showed us a nifty quick release!
Capt. Samworth explained that we would be using two different types of docks--this one floating, the Occoquan town dock fixed--which requires handling the lines in two different ways.
Rebecca tries the quick release.
Next, we learned how to tie off at the bow. "Keep your fingers out from under the line" was an important admonition.
Capt. Samworth demonstrated hand signal commands. "Hold!"
A tugboat pushes an empty barge away from the concrete facility up river.
Nice tug!
Rebecca demonstrates how to put on the horsecollar PFD. Now with it over her own vest, she's doubly bouyant.
Gus doing the Blue Heron dance on deck. Wait 'til you see the video!
It wouldn't be a Sea Scout activity without the common event: napping!
The pilothouse, where some of the best action was about to occur: taking the wheel; hanging out when it rained and hearing stories of the Capt. and Dave's other voyages; using the binoculars to spot "Amanda Grace" as we passed Fairfax Yacht Club.
Gus casts off.
Rebecca casts off at the bow.
We are under way on "Half Shell"!
Rebecca was the first scout to take the wheel.
I think she likes it!
Not so sure if Gus did, though. Maaaybe!
Sarah's smile pretty much says she likes being in command.
And Scott...well, the skipper has never seen him look so happy! He later said "THIS is why I am in Sea Scouts."
Jonathan had a couple of turns at the wheel, and enjoyed it very much.
Luis liked it, too.
Capt. Samworth asked Rebecca and Scott to raise the Living Classrooms Foundation flag, and said next time we can bring our ship flag, too!
Skipper managed to get that shot on the first try.
Dave helped Scott understand how docking is different at Occoquan.
A load of happy passengers.
We saw the police boat was stopped and the cops were using a boat hook on something...it was an alligator! Cool!
Capt. Samworth had good reason to wince as he chewed his first bite of the sandwich that Dave made for him. Olive loaf with salsa and American cheese, AKA "Desperation Sandwich." Ugh!
Despite the Capt.'s reaction and the skipper's disgust, Rebecca decided she wanted to try olive loaf, so she went into the galley and made herself a sandwich.
Sarah took photos to document the making of the horrible sandwich. Olive loaf? Check! American cheese? Check! Horseradish? Check!
Salsa? Check!
Fini! It is a thing of...things!
I can't believe she's really going to bite it! EWWW!
OMG! She liked it. Ate the whole thing, she did!
The rain held off fairly well most of the day, but on the last couple of runs, it came down hard at times. Not a bad day at all! Capt. Samworth invited us to join him aboard "Half Shell" again soon. Now we have a seasoned crew, so we are ready when you are, Sir! And thank you for a great day!
