We sailed off in full company today around 1130 under the four lowers. Mainsail with a double reef, and it was great sailing back and forth across Buzzards Bay. We took the main and the jib in late afternoon after drills and sailed under fore and jumbo until after dinner. We anchored up in Apponagansett Bay for the night. All secure around 2030. Even though we did not sail through the night as they wanted to do, they got enough of a taste of it. Very cold and very windy and a quite a few very happy to stop moving so much.

Here is the Day 1 write-up by Tam Willey:

As I cautiously boarded the old Ernestina on Sunday morning October 7^th, 2001; I realized I was stepping onto a foreign world full of ropes, pulleys, little beds, propane, weathered faces, and a minutely comprehendible language often addressing some mysterious person by the name McFast (later understood to be the term "makefast")

I threw my duffel bag down a little window and climbed backwards down a steep ladder into the "fish hold" where I could only laugh in surprise realizing that for the next 3 days I would not find more than a 3ft radius of personal space.

We returned on deck, shared names and tiny bits of individual interests before a basic explanation of the unidentifiable assumed-valuable pieces of the beautiful surviving Ernestina.

We squeezed out of the bay between a triple parked protrusion of fishing boats into rough seas and set sails. We worked together in 3 watches looking out at the bow, turning at the helm, and checking the boat to make sure everything was flying smoothly.

Mac and Cheese kicked off our 1^st lunch before seas got rougher, winds got fiercer, air got colder, clothes got wetter and felt thinner. Soon there were green and yellow bodies harnessed over the side excreting vocally.

By dinner, all our guts were shaken and much puke was given to the sea so our Captain made the decision to anchor in the bay, which at first was a relief. I slept like I was dead that night and escaped from my own sickness before I was gently awakened at midnight for my boat watch duty with good old George. Day 1 was a full day of extreme adventure and new experiences- some of which were more comfy than others. Sailing the Ernestina is no freakin’ joke, friends. Let’s get serious here, sailerpeople are hardcore I wouldn’t want to mess with anybody with permanent rope burned hands. Rock!

-Tam Willey-

With the cold and the wind we have decided to stay here at anchor for the day on Monday. The temp in New Bedford is in the mid 40's and wind chill in the mid 20's. The day is still full with many projects, and people are staying warm.

Captain: Amanda Madeira
Program Coordinator: Crista Mellican