Portland, ME – Spirit of Bermuda, the iconic 112-foot Maine-built, ocean-going Royal Navy sloop-of-war, will sail into Portland, Maine on July 5th crewed by 8 Maine teenagers side by side with 8 Bermuda teenagers, a Maine skipper, Maine educators and to a rousing Maine welcome.
Yesterday, the Spirit of Bermuda endured heavy storms – all the students remained down below decks for the whole night and the dedicated professional crew took turns manning the decks. Despite heavy rain, waves over 25 feet, and plenty of seasick sailors, the weather has taken a turn for the better and the ship is on course for Portland, approximately 200nm away.
Launched at Rockport Marine in 2006, Spirit of Bermuda is a replica of a Bermuda-rigged Ballyhoo Schooner known for her speed and ocean-going capability. She is a sail training vessel registered in Hamilton, Bermuda and sleeps over 30 people on board during her ocean crossings.
Spirit is here at the invitation of Tall Ships® Maine, the state’s leading youth sail training organization. Tall Ships Maine, responsible for such events as Tall Ships Portland 2015, Portland SchoonerFest & Regatta, Tall Ships Weekend and other events over the past 5 years, will host Spirit’s visit.
The ship will be open to public for free tours Saturday July 6th and Sunday July 7th in downtown Portland. Details as to location, times, etc. will be available at www.tallshipsmaine.org.
Maine students flew to Bermuda on June 24th to become members of the ship’s crew -- as well as to see a bit of the islands. The Maine students are teaming up with an equal number of Bermuda teenagers and a professional crew and they are expected to depart Bermuda on June 29 as full members of the crew. In addition, well-known Portland Captain Alex Peacock will be Co-Captain of Spirit on this voyage. Peacock sailed two seasons as Captain the Portland Schooner Company’s beautiful Schooners Wendameen and Bagheera. Peacock has also been Captain of Schooner Lynx, a Maine favorite and replica of an 1815 Revenue Cutter.
Tall Ships Maine is best known for sending hundreds of Maine teenagers to sea on a dozen different tall ships over the past few years. Also on June 24th, 24 Maine teens departed Portland on board Schooner Harvey Gamage to sail the Maine coast and to participate in Boothbay Windjammer Days. Gamage will be sailing all summer and fall with Maine students on board. Maine teachers are welcome to bring their own cohorts of students sailing for 5 day adventures by reaching out to Tall Ships Maine at info@tallshipsmaine.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment