This class required some extra planning on the part of Captain Frank and his crew, Jenny, Jon, Michael and Michelle. Fortunately, the mooring field at Swan Creek Marina, which the school uses during the cruises, was open for business. Navigation planning for this change involved working routes on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay between Love Point and Bloody Point, but the crew was easily up to the challenge. Scholarship was off the dock by on Wednesday. The five to ten knot breeze from the east moved us along nicely and, after clearing Langford Creek, Jenny, our Skipper of the Day, decided to set the mainsail with preventer and genoa.
After a couple of gybes to get south of the wildlife refuge, we turned west and headed for the mouth of the Chester. It was during this run that Captain Frank threw out the first drill, a simulated fire in the electrical cabinet. While it took a little time to diagnose the problem, it was soon under control and we were back in business. After doing a three bearing fix, Jenny turned us north in the dying afternoon breeze and we looked for the entrance to Swan Creek.
After passing the collection of crab pots that guard the mouth of the creek, we dropped the sails and motored into Swan Creek, picking up the mooring ball at the Marina. We were soon joined by our sister ship, AcaDame , and friendly banter floated across the mooring field as we settled in for the night.
By this point, the wind had deserted us completely and we proceeded under engine power under the eastern channel of the Annapolis Bay Bridge and down to Bloody Point Bar. Rounding the bar, we traveled up into the Eastern Bay. It was here that Frank threw his second drill, this time on Skipper of the Day John. The crew was greeted by the screaming sound of the Raw Water Alarm. After effectively ruling out the usual subjects, the crew admitted to themselves that the problem was not solvable onboard and decided to call for assistance.
It was at this point that Frank admitted that the alarm was a drill and we continued on our way. By this time, we were headed toward Tilghman Point. Despite the fact that this was a midweek day, there were still a large number of boats out enjoying the early fall weather.
