ASA Sailing Graduation Day

The night before graduation the Pirates work hard to prepare the final dinner of the sail while Jenni gets a chance to chill outside and enjoy the evening. After a week of wrangling the Pirates she’s deserves some time off. 

Bill changed up his game and was up before I was this morning with a big smile and a cup of coffee. 

Dave was up a little earlier today too but found a spot on the transom for a power nap. It must be the Dramamine that’s making him so drowsy??  We had lots of free time this morning at Moliniere Bay before heading back into the harbor at St. George’s a couple of miles away. 

We had a little thank you ceremony to tell Jenni how much we appreciated her sailing and instruction skills as well as her sunny and positive presence throughout the adventure. 

Steve and I had a little ceremony to lower our Pirate flag from its latest passage while we quietly hummed “Taps”. 

This was the 5th trip for the flag. The other side is all filled up starting in 2010 so we had to start notating on the other side. The grommets are starting to pull out. If I get her repaired we have room for 3 more trips before we retire her for good. I wonder where the next trip will be?

Since I moored the Xingu last night I take her off the ball and then south to the St. George’s harbor.  We can’t get “Baby Shark” out of our minds or out of our photos either. 

I volunteered to track our expenses so I’m collecting any missing receipts before we set sail. I hope I don’t get audited. 

After entering the harbor we wait for a pilot to take the Xingu in for docking.  

Once the pilot was on board our job was to fasten the fenders on the side of the boat and prepare dock lines. Jenni and the pilot keep a close eye on Bill at the stern as he fastens his fender with the correct knot, a round turn and two half hitches. 

All backed up to the dock and cleated off it was time to start day drinking and savor the monent. 

Bill was so moved he sang along with Jimmy Buffet to the song “A Lovely Cruise”. 

There was a nice BBQ at the LTD Sailing offices where we were awarded our ASA certification for 101, 103 and 104 and a log book to track our future sails as we build our sailing resume.  We are now qualified Coastal Waters Day Sailors!  And somehow, we found a way to do the Baby Shark song with the help from Grace, Gui and Fabi for one last time for the other instructors, students and LTD staff. 

It was a great trip, and a wonderful and challenging experience. I’m very grateful for the very good and long time friends I shared this experience with.  I’m also grateful to be going home again to be reunited with Angela!