SPIRIT OCEAN ADVENTURE
A Summer Sailing Expedition aboard the
Spirit of South Carolina
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Spirit Ocean Adventure FAQ
On this page we have attempted to answer some of the questions you might have about the program. If you have any additional questions please contact Youth Learning Institute (YLI) at 864-878-1103. Sailing aboard a tall ship is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that has the ability to be a life changing experience. While aboard participants will be completely immersed in all operations of a traditional sailing vessel, while exploring the marine environment of coastal New England and the Gulf of Maine. They will participate in all aspects of the ship’s needs including maneuvering the vessel, navigating, cleaning, cooking, identifying plankton, predicting the weather, regional maritime history, sea lore, and much more. Life at sea is fast paced and continues on a 24 hour basis throughout the two weeks. There is always something to do and learn.
Our goals for the Spirit Ocean Adventure program are to:
1. How old does the participant have to be to participate in the program? Participants must be between the ages of 15-18 years of age during the time of the program.
2. How do I register for Spirit Ocean Adventure? Submit a completed enrollment form and participant contract with a non-refundable deposit of $1200. You are not registered for the program until we have received your completed enrollment form, signed participant contract, and deposit.
Forms are available on the website (www.spiritoceanadventure.com) or a paper copy can be mailed to you. To request a paper copy please call YLI at 864-878-1103.
3. How can I make payments? We accept checks, money orders, and credit cards – VISA, Master Card, or Discover. Please do not send cash in the mail. Credit Card payments can be made online at http://www.clemson.edu/yli/programs/YLICampPayments.htm Checks and money orders should be made payable to Clemson University and mailed to: Spirit Ocean Adventure Youth Learning Institute 698 Concord Church Rd. Pickens, SC 29671
4. When is my balance due? The remaining balance of $2400 is due by Monday, June 2nd, 2008. If required paperwork and balance due is not received by June 2nd the participant’s enrollment is subject to cancellation without notice or refund. There are no exceptions to this rule. We must set a deadline in order to notify participants on the waiting list of any cancellations.
5. Can I make monthly payments for the program? You can make monthly payments as long as the balance is paid by Monday, June 2nd, 2008.
6. Can I get my money back if my I decide to not participate? The deposit of $1200 is always non-refundable. Any cancellations made prior to April 1st, 2008 will receive a refund on payments made after deposit. Any cancellations made after April 1st, 2008 will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
7. Do I need to do anything else after I submit the deposit, enrollment form, and participant contract? Once a participant is accepted to the program they will receive an acceptance letter and an information packet in the mail. Included in the information packet will be a manual to help prepare for the program as well as additional forms that will need to be submitted with the final payment by June 2nd, 2008. Forms to submit prior to June 2nd will include the Medical Form, Waiver and Photo Release, and the Travel and Update sheet.
8. Do you take names for a waiting list? Yes, there is a waiting list. Names will be collected in the order they are received. You will be notified when and if there is space available. If you would like your name removed from the waiting list please contact YLI and have it removed.
9. When is the medical form due? All additional paperwork is due with final payment by Monday, June 2nd, 2008. Again, there is no exception to this rule. All medical forms need to be reviewed by a consulting physician and the medical officer aboard the Spirit of SC to ensure your ability to participate in this program. We encourage you to be as thorough and specific on your medical form as possible. Access to medical facilities is limited while at sea.
10. What kind of medical personnel can sign the medical form? Any licensed medical personnel, such as a physician, pediatrician, or physician’s assistant. If the participant has had a physical in the past 6 months, it would satisfy the physician portion of the medical form. However, you must still complete the participant portion of the medical form and attach a copy of the completed physical form.
11. Can you use the same medical form YLI has on record from last year? No, information may have changed throughout the year and the medical form for this program is different than other YLI camps.
12. Where do I mail payments and paperwork? Please mail all payments and paperwork to: Spirit Ocean Adventure Youth Learning Institute 698 Concord Church Rd. Pickens, SC 29671
13. What about transportation to and from the vessel? Transportation to and from Portland is the responsibility of the participants. Please include your travel itinerary on the Travel and Update form provided in the information packet. If a participant is flying into the Portland airport on the start date of the program (June 29th or July 19th), look for a crew member in the baggage claim area. They will help you find the shuttle to the ship. There is no additional charge for the shuttle.
14. Where will the ship be docked? The ship will be docked in downtown Portland; an exact location is yet to be determined. As soon as the location is finalized we will let you know. Boarding on the start date of the program (June 29th or July 19th) is between 1:00 - 4:00pm
15. What is the student to staff ratio? There is a minimum of nine professional crew members aboard during each program. This includes the Captain, Head Educator, Cook, 3 Mates, and 3 Deckhand/Educators. During both sessions of Spirit Ocean Adventure we will have 9 professional crew members and 21 participants (student crew). The student crew will be divided into three groups called watches (A watch, B watch, and C watch). Each watch will consist of 7 student crew members and 2 professional crew members. The professional crew on each watch will work side by side with the participants to meet the needs of the ship.
16. What are the requirements of the professional crew? All crew members aboard the Spirit of South Carolina are professional mariners and experienced educators. Prior to working onboard they must undergo a comprehensive background check, National Sex Offender Registry search, and a pre-employment drug test. Also, because the Spirit of SC is a Coast Guard Certified vessel all of our crew members participate in a random drug testing program.
17. How is the Spirit of South Carolina Certified? The Spirit of South Carolina is certified under the US Code of Federal Regulations as a Sailing School Vessel. These regulations translate into a rigorous set of safety, training and construction standards. This process is overseen and enforced by the United States Coast Guard.
18. Who are the ship’s leadership personnel for Spirit Ocean Adventure? Captain Tony Arrow has been sailing professionally since the mid 1980s. He maintains a license that allows him to be Captain of a vessel up to 1600 Gross Tons. As the Spirit of South Carolina is under 100 Gross Tons, the vessel is well within the scope of his credentials. In addition, Captain Arrow has received extensive training in navigation, marine engineering, shipboard fire fighting, managing and leading personnel, and has the medical certification of Wilderness First Responder.
Chief Mate/Engineer Ben Hall has been sailing since 1998 and maintains a 100 Gross Ton Captain’s license. Ben began his career in education on traditional rigged vessels as a student with Sea Education Association. Since then, Ben has worked on 6 vessels over 100’ long, both as a deck officer and an engineer.
Head Shipboard Educator Beth Spencer has been involved in outdoor experiential education for 8 years. She began sailing on the US Brig Niagara in fall of 2000. It was there that she decided to combine her interests in education and sailing. Beth is returning to us for her third season. She is also an experienced medical officer and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder.
19. What type of safety training does the ship’s crew receive? All of the crew has received professional training in all types of shipboard emergencies. Additionally, we have safety drills and inspect our gear every week. Safety is our first priority and factors into all of our decision making.
20. What does the ship do in bad weather? During the Spirit Ocean Adventure Program the Spirit of South Carolina will be no more than 24 hours from a safe harbor of refuge. We monitor the weather constantly, both onboard and through our shore-side support staff. If inclement weather is approaching, we will head to a safe harbor prior to the weather’s arrival. Communication with our office is ongoing and frequent.
21. What happens if there is a medical emergency onboard? We have an extensive offshore medical kit aboard, and the professional crew are trained to deal with medical emergencies. Through our satellite communications, we have access to a doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spirit Ocean Adventure will also take place within range of United States Coast Guard medical evacuation helicopters.
22. What should participants pack? See attached packing list for a detailed inventory.
23. What is not allowed? The following items are prohibited: Additional Food, Fishing Gear, Scuba Gear, Tobacco, Illegal Drugs, Alcohol, Electronic Equipment such as: Electronic Games, MP3 Players, I-Pods, Cell Phones, CD or DVD Players, Computers, Radios, etc. Participants may bring their cell phone for travel purposes, but they must be turned in to the ship's Captain upon arrival to the ship. They will remain locked in the ship’s safe for the duration of the voyage.
24. Why can’t participants bring electronic equipment on the voyage? The use of electronic equipment during a program encourages participants to be solitary and sedentary, which does not correspond with the objectives of the program. These items also pose a safety hazard. Emergencies onboard are made known to the ships company by sounding a verbal alarm. If a participant has headphones on they may not be able to hear their shipmates sounding the alarm.
25. What is the food like? The food onboard is always great and there is plenty of it. We eat very well at sea thanks to the ship’s cook. There are three meals and at least one snack a day. All meals are well balanced and nutritious.
26. What about food allergies or vegetarians? Special food needs are usually not a problem as long as we know about it in advance. Please be sure to note any allergies or preferences on the medical form. This is a really important piece of information for us to have. If the ship’s cook knows about food preferences before shopping for the two week trip, we will be able to accommodate you.
27. What is the daily schedule? This is a hard question to answer in that each day onboard is very different. However, we do have a schedule by which we operate the ship.
A ship does not sleep at night. The operations of the vessel must be carried out around the clock. To accomplish this, the professional crew and student crew are divided into three watches or groups. Each watch is comprised of a Mate (who serves as watch officer), a deckhand, and members of the student crew. A watch is responsible for all ship operations during the period of time they are on duty.
The following shows a sample schedule for three days of watch rotation. If you were assigned to "A" watch, your watches would be those underlined: Day 1 0800-1200 A WATCH 1200-1600 B WATCH 1600-1800 C WATCH 1800-2000 A WATCH 2000-0000 B WATCH
Day 2 0000-0400 C WATCH 0400-0800 AWATCH 0800-1200 B WATCH 1200-1600 C WATCH 1600-1800 A WATCH 1800-2000 B WATCH 2000-0000 C WATCH
Day 3 0000-0400 A WATCH 0400-0800 B WATCH 0800-1200 C WATCH 1200-1600 A WATCH 1600-1800 B WATCH 1800-2000 C WATCH 2000-0000 A WATCH 28. Where will participants sleep? Everyone onboard has their own bunk. There are two bunk areas where everyone (participants and crew) sleep. When participants arrive they are assigned a bunk. This will be their space and no one else’s for the duration of the voyage. Everything they bring must live in their bunk with them. For this reason it is recommended that participants pack only what they will need in a medium sized duffle bag. Please don't bring hard suitcases or hard bottom duffle bags.
29. Does the ship have showers? Showers will be made available during the two port stops of the voyage. While at sea swim calls and saltwater showers are frequent.
30. What is the ship made of? The Spirit of South Carolina is a pilot schooner built in South Carolina and launched in March 2007. She is built from various kinds of native and non-native woods (such as: Live Oak, Cypress, Angelique, Fir, Teak, and Purpleheart).
31. Does the ship have a motor? Yes, the ship has two Diesel Cummins engines.
32. What about 4th of July? As with many traditions while at sea we will recognize our Nation’s independence with our own special celebration. Please do not bring your own set of fireworks.
33. Does anyone get seasick? Yes, some people can get seasick. Everyone’s body handles motion differently. Seasickness is not something to be scared about and shouldn’t stop someone from participating in the program. If you find that you are not feeling well, give yourself a couple of days for your body to adjust. The adjustment process can be sped up by maintaining your activity level so that your body, brain, and environment are forced to synchronize. If after the first couple of days you are not feeling better, talk to the medical officer or a crew member on your watch. In the rare case that someone is unable to get over seasickness accommodations will be made to get them ashore.
34. Is there anything a participant can do to avoid getting seasick? There are a variety of things one can do to not become seasick.
35. Can participants bring their own seasick medication? Participants can bring over the counter seasick medication, but it should be given to the medical officer along with all other medications when they arrive on the boat. Before any seasick medication is taken, the medical officer needs to be aware.
36. Can parents or friends call or write a participant? We ask that you do not send letters or care packages to participants. Our offices are located in South Carolina and we do not have a way of sending the packages to the ship in time for your child to receive them. As for phone calls, we will create the opportunity for participants to call home while in port.
37. What if something important happens at home while a participant is at sea? The ship is equipped with modern technology for emergency and safety percussions. The office communicates with the vessel on a daily basis and can relay important messages from home, but for the most part this communication is used to support the ship.
If you have any important information that you need to communicate to a participant – especially any information that will invoke an emotional response (i.e. the family is moving, a death in the family, the dog is sick, etc.) – please call the Education Director so we can discuss the best way to inform the participant. Please remember we want to work with parents to ensure a great experience for their child and receiving emotional information while far away from home can be a shocking and traumatic experience. Additional details on how to pass an urgent message to the ship will be provided in the information packet mailed once a participant is accepted.
Photo Credit: Norman Walsh |
