Steering Eagle takes the p ower ofsix people at the helm. There's always p lenty ofvolunteers to stow sails aloft on the main royal and topgallant.
So far, these are the training fu ndamentals that cadets and crew will need o n any Coast G uard vessel, from a 420-foot icebreaker to the 2 1-foot aid-to-navigation boat. In Eagle, however, the real thrill is
In addition ro the official checklist of what the Eagle's training program entails, perhaps it is the intangibles that are as valuable. At sea on a sailing ship, yo u have to deal with all kinds of wea ther. Of course this is true fo r any ship at sea, but o n a sailing ship, yo u stand watch exposed ro the weather 24 hours a day-at the helm (which on Eagle takes six people), on lookout, and of course on deck handling lines and in the rig loosening and furlin g sails. On a sailing ship, yo u have ro set a compass course acco rding ro the wind direction and no t sim ply a direct line ro your destination . For Damage Control team leading cadets in a firefighting drill. cadets learning ro navigate the deck training week, where cadets stand on a square rigger, it is a lesson in being watch and learn how to h andle sails and able to work on the fly and adjust plans to rigging, helmsmanship, basic marlinspike fit circumstan ces. The United States Coast G uard has a seamanship, and anything else that needs doing on deck. There are more than enough long traditio n in trai ning its officers th ro ugh opportunities to climb the rig, climb the rig, and climb the rig some more. No t everyo ne is eager to climb up to the royal yards and scamper out o n the footrop es to cas t off gaskets and haul in sails, but there are plenty of lower yards that need hands and even mo re jobs on deck that need strong arms. In addition to sail handling, deck training also incl udes ship maintenance-jobs like deck wash , sanding and painting, and, of course, polishing brass.
a fo rmal and rigorous academic and handson experience under sail. Where else could yo u fit 150 cadets aboard one ship and find tasks fo r all hands? The Eagle does not exist to create new generatio n of tall ship sailors, but rather to take advantage of all that can be learned fro m sailing a m assive square rigger. Eagle plays a ve ry visible role to the public in port as "Am erica's Tall Ship" at festivals and events, but it is her role out of sight of land that is the most valuable. !., Many thanks to Captain Eric Jo nes and his crew far inviting me into their world andfar their gracious hospitality. Thanks as well to the cadets fa r sharing their experience with me both on deck, aloft, and in print. Good luck to all ofyou in your careers and thank you far your service. D eirdre O'Regan is the editor of Sea History and afarmer tall ship professional mariner. You can keep up to date about life aboard Eagle through photos and updates on Facebook by "friending" the "United States Coast Guard Barque Eagle." (www.facebook.com)
And the training continues. My adventure ended in Waterford, Ireland, but the ship carries on. The first group of "swabs" signed on in July, and so begins their career as fature officers in the United States Coast Guard.
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SEA HISTORY 136, AUT UMN 2011