Nelson Miller and I flew out of Nashville to Tampa St. Peter on Thursday Nov. 14th 2024 to take my final Nautic Ed, SLC on board training with Captain Andy on his 47′ Island Packet, Hawkeye.
The next beginning at 9 a.m the testing began. We first docked. This was a big 47′ monohull. Weather was overcast at first but burned off for a nice day.
We demonstrated. Docking, knot tying, spring lines, fender placement, best procedure leaving dock given winds and boats next to us.
Then we went over a raft of materials: horns, lights, radio procedures, may day calls, flags, knots, weather apps, weather forecasting, tides, currents, and more.
After lunch we left the dock and motored out. Captain Andy had me put it on at 90 degree heading. Problem was he had his phone of the compass and it created at 20 degree deviation.
The sails were all electric and both head and mail were roller furling. We sailed to specific wind angles and used the autohelm off and on.
Next we worked on anchoring with a windlass. Determined to use 75′ of chain as rode. Used a bridal to take pressure off windlass.
Raised anchor and next thing I knew he threw a blue cushion overboard, Bob. I quickly alerted Nelson and began to turn. I was a little excited a forgot where the throttle was. We practiced this a few times just under power. Then we did under sail using the crash method a Navy method. Basically your first announce man overboard, Nelson spots man, I begin a slow turn in a rain drop shape keeping the man centered on the bimini triangle until we come just upwind at 1 knot to retrieve. Good method and got it right.
Brother Bill left a message to call about Mother’s condition. Very sad and choked me up but we went on. Finished up around 4.45.
Had a drink at Doc Fords and then went to cigar bar.
Flew home that night. Exhausting day.
We had a really good dinner.
