2011 Trip 4 - Pacific Swift

Thursday August 11.
Trainees boarded the Swift cheerfully under a slowly clearing Port Hardy sky. It is a pretty even mix of new trainees and old hands, however the west coast experience is new to all but a small handful.One trainee even came aboard with a salmon they caught on the dock while waiting to board. Safety orientations were completed with all aboard and lines slipped free of Port Hardy at 1415. The sun was shinning and the air was cool as we motored north out of the bay. During lunch 2 transient orcas were seen cruising south along the rugged shoreline, shortly thereafter 6 Dahl´s porpoises joined us, darting beneath the bow and speeding alongside for 15 minutes. The weather was calm and we had a relatively pleasant jaunt across the top of Vancouver Island. A vast majority of people did very well with the open ocean swell that rolled unimpeded from Japan. Sea otters paused amid their evening meals and gazed curiously at us, as the sun plunged in a fiery glow into the cool Pacific. The sun´s dramatic setting over the vast ocean was preceded by the rise of the waxing gibbous moon. The moon was a faithful companion through the night casting an ethereal light on the gentle sea while the Swift´s yards arced across the star-speckled sky and phosphorescence hissed astern in a sparkling green trail. Quatsino Sound´s proud lighthouse welcomed us into the protected waters lying beyond and the distinct smell of evergreens and damp earth filled the air. In the darkness of the morning watch we anchored snuggly in the embrace of Browning Inlet at 0500.Dawn broke over a peaceful misty bay dotted with idle otters and patient eagles. This morning was filled with lessons on terminology, navigation safety and splicing prior to launching the ship´s dorys. After launch the watches boarded their dorys to set off on a grand adventure to Grant Bay. A hearty row was followed by a beautiful walk through the temperate coastal rain forest. Encroaching salal and tall firs and cedars lined the path leading through to the exposed coast. Breaking through the last of the forest we emerged onto a bright, sunny white sand beach, turquoise waves crashing onto the soft shore and the mountainous ridge of Vancouver Island visible in the distance. A great time was had jumping in the waves and playing games on the sand. The whole group of trainees are very good at enjoying the experience before them and welcoming everybody in. A long but fun trip back to the Swift coincided with a delicious dinner upon arrival. This evening we will start secret friends, play games and spend some time singing before eating cookies and collapsing into our welcoming bunks below.