Pacific Swift Trip 5 2008

The trip 5 trainees trickled aboard as the rain thundered down
midday in Ucluelet. By 1500 all hands were accounted for, safety
orientation conducted and lines slipped and underway. After clearing
Ucluelet Harbour and encountering some lumpish seas we bore away into
Barkley Sound to ease the motion and the stomachs. We set full sail in
company with the Pacific Grace and made good time deep into the sound to
find good shelter and a beautiful surroundings for the night. It was
beautiful to watch the two ships plunge through the swells under sail. A
timeless scene seldom seen these days. Amid a tumultuous downpour, where
the rain made solid waterfalls off of the sails, we raced for snug
anchorage off of Snowden Island. All hands were immediately put to the
test as 5500 square feet of canvas needed to be handled into submission
to bring the ship smartly to anchor under sail alone. It was a full day
of sail training with all sails set and several tacks and gybes to
round. All hands are looking forward to getting to know one another and
enjoying a night of games and singing snuggled below