Waterfront

Northbound to Rugged Beauty

Students receive unequaled training and vistas.

Schooner Bowdoin had a successful CR-214 Auxiliary Sail Training Cruise to the south coast of Newfoundland this summer.

Bowdoin departed in early June, making port stops in Lunenburg and Louisbourg, Nova Scotia; Burgeo and Grey River, Newfoundland; Bar Harbor, Roque Island, Hells Half Acre, and Stonington, Maine; arriving home to Castine on July 7.

The 10 students onboard received training in coastal navigation, passage planning, marine weather, basic celestial observations, sail-handling, seamanship, vessel maintenance and marlinspike sailor skills.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the fjord of Grey River. This remote location on the south coast of Newfoundland is known for its rugged beauty and 1,000-foot cliffs that rise out of the ocean.

Bowdoin will depart for the second cruise of the summer on August 12. The CR-313 cruise takes juniors from the Vessel Operations and Technology major to sea for 14 days where they receive training as watch officers.

While on the cruise the students receive extensive celestial navigation and passage planning training. Planned ports of call include Lunenburg and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Once Bowdoin is back in Castine on August 25 the vessel will commence the ship’s fall sailing schedule, which includes several weekend trips with the schooner crew and MMA Yacht Club and destinations such as Hurricane Island and Mount Desert Island.

Bowdoin also embarks from the Castine waterfront for day sails from 1600 to 1800 during the week, depending on the weather. These sails are open to community members as space allows.█

— By William McLean IV, Master, Schooner Bowdoin

Photo: William McLean

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