Last spring, Crew 777 (chartered through ICCC in Goose Creek), took on the adventures of Florida Sea Base, Coral Reef Sailing. The crew of eight, six Crew members and two adults, departed SC early on Saturday morning headed south. We arrive early in Homestead and spent the night at Saint Faith’s Episcopal Church, a proud sponsor of Pack and Troop 428. After attending Easter mass, the Crew departed for Sea Base check-in and training.
The check-in process was well choreographed with records review, pictures, BSA snorkel training, meals, and departure on the GREEN OLIVE with Captain Martini. Our first night at sea was calm and enjoyable. We got to know the captain and vice versa, spent time fishing, learned about navigation, and got accustomed to being on a sailboat. The forecast for the week had been tentative at best, so early in the morning we headed out to our first of two snorkeling dives before the weather closed in. Each dive was amazing, seeing beautiful coral reefs, many species of fish, and enjoying the warm water of the Florida Keys.
After lunch we began our journey to shelter for the evening, catching many fish along the way. This led to one of the highlights of the trip, as the captain made sushi and seafood ceviche. Having a seasoned captain of 20 years ensured the little extras beyond the standard Sea Base provisions were onboard (chips and bacon).
Following a rough night at sea, requiring resetting the anchor and many soaked Crew members, we made our way to a marina for showers, fresh water and pumping sanitary tanks. Again, the Crew bonded over the previous night’s weather, ice cream from the ships’ store and shared chores. We departed the marina for another day of sailing, which led to some sea-sick crew. Of note – don’t mix daily medicine and sea-sickness pills, it only makes things worse.
In true Scout fashion, we were conscious of the environment and prepared to do a good turn. This proved well when a Crew member’s water bottle went overboard as we were running from storm clouds. With quick action, we performed “man-overboard” procedures and prevented leaving plastic in the ocean. This was greatly appreciated by the HUGE leatherback turtle we spotted; “largest I have ever seen” – Captain Martini.
The next two days were filled with sunshine, sailing, swimming, another snorkeling dive (this time seeing a stingray, eels, and a few small barracudas), fishing, music, and song. One highlight was playing with a pod of dolphin as we cruised south of the islands. They loved the bow wake and knuckles we put in the water through hard turns and surfaced and skimmed right next to the boat.
As our week at sea ended, unscathed by the horrible rains that flooded Miami, we minimized our sun burns, lost, and then found, one cell phone overboard, learned many trivial things about each other, and become Sea Base sailors.
