Written by Nora E., Staff Member
It was a beautiful, calm day at Hodges Creek Marina and the staff spent the morning cleaning and organizing for the arrivals of the Alpha 4, Foxtrot 3, Charlie 3, and Sierra 3 students. Each captain, mate, and office member were working really hard to make sure the boats and the program were ready for the students to have the best time these next two weeks. Meanwhile, some of our staff were at the airport greeting and collecting our group of students. Around 4-7, taxis dropped them off at Hodges Creek Marina to the group of cheering and smiling staff. We had a buffet meal of grilled chicken, scallop potatoes, steamed vegetables, rice and beans, and coleslaw. After that, each boat had their first boat meeting where they played some name games and created their “Full Value Contract” which is an agreement between the crew to make the living situation the best it can be.
After their first night sleeping on the boats, the students woke up to a breakfast buffet of bagels, cereal, and fruit. Then, they got ready to head up to the office and dive shop for a dive orientation with our sister company Sail Caribbean Divers, an American Sailing Certification briefing with one of the mates Anna, and they got their crew shirts. It was already clear to see that the students were forming as a crew and becoming good friends! On the boats, they listened to their first lesson on de-docking the boat and PDCs (pre-departure checks). Some of the pre-departure checks include: making sure the lifelines are clipped, checking the engines, and making sure every hatch is closed.
Then, it was finally time to get off the docks! Each crew did a great job catching lines, communicating as a crew, and heading off the docks to Great Harbor on Peter Island. At Great Harbor, they immediately jumped in the crystal clear water and had some “swimmy fun time” (a term coined by Nat). Some of the students even went on the tube! Great Harbor is one of my favorite spots and every time I have come here, I see sea turtles! Tonight the boats are having a nourishing dinner of burrito bowls and going to spend their first night off the docks and under the stars. Can’t wait for the next two weeks!
To see more photos of our campers’ adventures in the BVI, download the Campanion App and follow us on Instagram @sailcaribbean.
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