Page 44 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

2020

SEA SCOUTS, PTAC, BSA

January 2020 started like every other winter, the Chicago The Scouts navigated in day and night conditions, using and
Boat Show, planning for the summer season and completing understanding ATONS (Aids to Naviagation).
a list of things to do before splash. Then the virus hit.
Everything fell on the floor. Due to COVID restrictions, we had Sea Scout Ship 2911 – Eagles Nest, associated with
to adjust all our plans for the spring maintenance season, Hammond Yacht Club – took full advantage of the shortened
not to mention the possibility that the summer sailing season Chicago boating season. The unit, comprised of youth from
might be canceled. With the hope that the summer would the Southeast side of Chicago to the far Southwest suburbs,
start as usual, the Scouts decided to work on the boats to met weekly at 31st Street Harbor during the summer and
get them ready. Because of the restrictions, only a few scouts fall. Using the council’s vessels, we explored Wilmette
were able to work on the boats. They worked every weekend Harbor, Goose Island, and even visited Lake Calumet’s ghost
from March until June with the hope that the boats would ship. During the weekly trips, Scouts strengthened their boat
go in the water. On June 22, we finally got the word that the handling skills, learned how to apply Rules of the Road, and
harbors would be open for the summer. Reflections III was honed their leadership abilities. As leaders, it was a little
splashed in the water on July 1 at 3 p.m., and a crew of five tough at times to let the Scouts safely make mistakes. We
scouts sailed her north to 31st Street Harbor. Our Whaler still took the vessels out for boat handling training on the not
followed shortly behind. so nice days to allow the Scouts to gain confidence in their
abilities. A docked boat does not make a good sailor.
Reflections III, a 40’ 1984 Sparkman and Stephens ketch,
is the primary sailboat the scouts use. She is an old but Ship 5212 from JPYC volunteered over 150 hours with Urban
solid boat. The scouts put countless hours into repair and Rivers this spring, summer, and fall. Urban Rivers has created
maintenance during the spring. They repainted the bottom a floating eco-park on the North Branch Canal of the Chicago
and the deck, installed new lifeline netting on the bow, River. We helped install and plant the islands, weeded on the
refinished the bright work and teak rub rail, and finally islands, performed water quality testing on the River, went
washed, waxed and buffed the entire boat. They also washed out on kayaks to pick up trash, and performed maintenance
the sails and completed some minor repairs. to prepare the islands for the winter. In exchange for our
labor, Urban Rivers has allowed us to “adopt” one of the
A 22' Boston Whaler is our powerboat that the Scouts use for islands. Next spring we will have the opportunity to plant,
the summer. They washed and waxed it, and repainted the maintain, and name our own island.
deck, freeboard and gunwale.
Ship 5212 also built three Little Libraries for neighborhoods
Kraken, a J24 project boat that the Scouts took interest in on the west and south side of the city. We are presently
was also worked on. They repainted the bottom, washed, planning a Book Drive to stock our Little Libraries and to
waxed, and buffed the boat, and then started to refinish the donate books to children in need for Christmas. Six Scouts
bright work. There’s still a long list of things to do, but she is participated in scuba diving certification with Learn Scuba
starting to look better. Chicago.
The Scouts were on the water as much as they could be Two of our Scouts, Eli Erling and Annie Ahern, won the Smith
during the summer. They averaged four to five times a week Regatta and will compete in the Koch Cup next year (this year
either on Reflections or the Whaler. Most would spend five to was cancelled due to COVID). We wrote and received a grant
six hours out at a time. from the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation ($1,000.00) and
the Lake Michigan Sailing and Race Federation ($1,830.00)
What follows are highlights from three of our seven Ships (units).
to pay for their trip.
In July, Ship 5709 sailed to St. Joseph, Michigan on a ten- We worked with Crowley's Yacht Yard to create a splicing
hour crossing with 20-25 knot NNE winds. They spent four workshop for the Scouts, and with Chicago Maritime School
days in St. Joe, and the return crossing was not as eventful, to put together a Fire Safety Workshop.
with only 10 knot SSW winds. The Scouts sailed in various
weather conditions during the summer. They learned how to Two of our Scouts received Level 1 Small Boat Instructor
use every sail plan on Reflections and learned how to handle Certification and worked as sailing instructors for JPYC this
her from light winds to heavy weather. For a short summer summer.
they were able to put in hundreds of hours of sailing and
gained valuable experience making them more confident We had a Virtual Campout to help one of our Scouts with
mariners. On calmer days, they would take the Whaler out earning his Camping badge. I am proud to say that Jonah
practicing maneuvers and power runs, navigating through McArthur is now an Eagle Scout.
the Chicago locks, then downriver. They learned how to The 2020 season was challenging for all Chicago boaters.
approach and pass other vessels, and always keep a sharp The Scouts exercised the BSA motto “Be Prepared” fully this
lookout for river traffic, in addition to taking many selfies. year, and are ready to welcome 2021 with masks if needed.

44 2020 yachting in chicago