Pen and wash sketch: "Day of Sailing on the Chesapeake Bay" by Gregory Robison
On July 20, the Mariner Yacht Owners Group (Chesapeake Bay) provided a sailing opportunity for a visiting group of Palestinian and Israeli young adults participating in the New Story Leadership program headquartered in Washington, DC. NSL seeks to inspire a new story of possibility for the Middle East by bringing outstanding Israeli and Palestinian students to Washington DC for an extensive eight week course to learn about leadership, negotiation and narrative technique.
All three Mariners, two sloops and one ketch, sailed out of the Leatherbury Point Marina located on Parish Creek, West River. Each vessel hosted six students and administrators who were encouraged to "learn the ropes" and sail the boats. A beautiful July day with 10 to 15 knot winds and moderate seas gave the crews a great sailing experience. The Mariner fleet sailed out the West River past Thomas Point Light, tacked southeast towards Bloody Point Light, then sailed back into the West River. Two vessels continued into the Rhodes River for a raft-up and swim party.
On the short return trip to Parish Creek, crew training was put to the test when both boats experienced engine issues. On the ketch, Kittywake, the throttle cable broke, requiring the mate to operate the throttle at the engine below while the skipper steered and the crew watched for crab pots. On the sloop, Sparkle Plenty, an engine alarm sounded causing the skipper to shut down the diesel and roll out the head sail. While the skipper went below to check, the crew sailed the boat smartly, keeping her clear of crab pots and other vessels. Both Mariners returned to the marina without issue.
Over refreshments at the dock the students swapped stories about the sail. A big lesson learned was that sailors solve problems. One student quipped: "today, we came up with a 'one boat solution' that worked pretty darn well." We all wish these young Israeli and Palestinians fair winds and following seas in their future efforts at arriving at a workable solution for middle east peace.
The Boats: 82 Mariner 36s were built between 1978 and 1982 by the Mariner Yacht Company of East Rochester, NH . One York Harbor 36 was built from the Mariner mold in 1986.
"Sparkle Plenty" Mariner 36 sloop: skipper, Tory Salvia; mate, Wayne Steeve
"Kittywake" Mariner 36 ketch: skipper, Geoff Ferrell
"Griselle" York Harbor 36 sloop: skipper, Phil Christenson
