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In mid-July 2004, the Sea Cadets worked furiously to prepare for and participate in an uncommon event - Tall Ships Rhode Island. Sailing vessels of all sizes and types visited the Ocean State, all participants in the American Sail Training Association's (ASTA) Tall Ships Challenge® Race Series. Ports of call during the race, which stretched across the Atlantic Coast of North America, included Jacksonville FL, Charleston SC, Philadelphia PA, Greenport NY, New London CT, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. Tall Ships from Colombia, Netherlands, Poland, Mexico, Cook Island, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Romania, the United States, and more. All made their presence known in the sailing capital of America - Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay.
The NCBC Sea Cadets worked this event, providing critical support for visitors and passengers sailing aboard two of the participating vessels - the sailing yachts BRANDARIS (the unit's historic sail training vessel) and the regal 72' WOIEE. The Cadets put their line-handling and dock skills to work as each vessel took on and discharged passengers from the state pier at Fort Wetherill, on Conanicut Island by the town of Jamestown. As these were wooden ships, sneakers and deck shoes were the rule, and covers/caps were stowed when topside and underway in the brisk winds that made for great sailing. The Sea Cadets also enjoyed their time on the water as well, with each Cadet averaging 12-18 hours of sailing time aboard the ships during the course of the event. The unit commissioned one dedicated sailing as a fundraiser to support Sea Cadet operations - this particular voyage taking place on Sunday evening, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display overhead as we floated in the harbor.
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BRANDARIS rounds Bull Point. |
BRANDARIS approaches the pier. |
Cadets ready polyform buoy for fender. |
WOIEE approaches the pier. |
Cadet sets fender for docking. |
Cadets take positions on deck. |
Senior Cadet stows lines for departure. |
Cadets ready lines for cleating off. |
The gaff-rigged schooner MYSTIC WHALER. |
The UK barque TENACIOUS enters the bay. |
Another view of TENACIOUS. |
Pleasure sailor chases the tall ships. |
WOIEE departs as BRANDARIS approaches. |
Cadets and passengers arrive. |
Two-mast, gaff-rig schooner in passage. |
League Cadet induction ceremony. |
BRANDARIS (l) and WOIEE pass. |
League Cadet assists passengers. |
Sea Cadet stands ready for arrivals. |
NCBC Chief Petty Officer cinches lines. |
Cadets provide assistance for WOIEE. |
Sea Cadet controls passenger traffic. |
NCBC CPO assists at boarding. |
Sea Cadets provide vital assistance. |
League Cadet readies buoy for fender. |
League Cadets keep passenger hands free. |
Sea Cadets assist departing passengers. |
Sea Cadet at his station, topside. |
BRANDARIS raises sail. |
League Cadets take in lines. |
Sea Cadet keeps watchful eye. |
Cadet strikes the eternal pose. |
High end yacht heads for open water. |
Sea Cadets gets some pointers on line rolling. |
Fenders are stowed as BRANDARIS pulls away. |
NCBC Support Vehicle on station. |
League Cadet matches float to gunwale. |
Sea Cadet waits for boarders. |
Sea Cadet stows lines after raising sail. |
Excursion boat handles the masses. |
Sailing under the Claiborne Pell (Newport) Bridge. |
Sea Cadet enjoys slack time during cruise. |
Racing yacht at anchor. |
Racing yacht at anchor. Note the mast height. |
Cruising the Newport waterfront. |
Private mega-yachts settle in at Newport. |
PRIDE OF BALTIMORE - note raked masts. |
Passing aft of PRIDE OF BALTIMORE. |
Crossing the bow of USCG Barque EAGLE. |
The EAGLE in classic profile. |
Polish ships POGORIA & ISKRA, Goat Island. |
AURORA (foreground) & GRAND NELLIE. |
Staysail schooner, CAPITAN MIRANDA (Uruguay). |
UK Jubilee Sailing Trust Barque TENACIOUS. |
Romanian Navy flagship bark MIRCEA. |
Cook Island barque PICTON CASTLE. |
Fireworks end the evening sail. |
Fireworks end the evening sail. |
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