Ship 16 Long Cruise

Ship 16's Long Cruise is just over a month away, and unfortunately, I had two Scouts drop out due to medical injuries that will preclude them from sailing. So I have room for 2 or 3 Scouts (age 14 or finishing the 8th grade). We plan to depart on June 13 and return on June 21. We expect to explore the lower Chesapeake Bay, with the Scouts directly involved in planning our ports of call and daily routes. If anyone is interested in this high-adventure opportunity, please reach out to me soon.

The Scouts have settled on the following schedule:

13 JUN: depart from Tidewater Yacht Marina in Portsmouth
13 JUN: Race in the Cock Island Race
13 JUN: Arrive Salt Ponds
14 JUN: Arrive Chesapeake Boat Basin
15 JUN: Arrive Crisfield, Maryland
16 JUN: Arrive Tangier Island
17 JUN: Arrive Cape Charles Town Docks
18 JUN: Arrive Bay Point Marina Little Creek
19 JUN: Sail in Sail250 Tall Ship Parade
19-21 JUN: Raft up for Sail 250.
21 JUN: Return to Naval Station Norfolk Marina

A Sea Scout Long Cruise is an extended on-water adventure, designed to give youth meaningful experience in seamanship, navigation, leadership, and teamwork. Unlike short weekend outings, a long cruise immerses the crew in a true maritime environment, where they must plan their route, operate the vessel safely, stand watch, manage resources, and handle real-world challenges that foster confidence and competence.

Why a Scout should attend:

• Advanced Seamanship:Participants gain practical skills in sailing, navigation, weather interpretation, and vessel operations—far beyond what shorter trips can offer.
• Leadership Development:A long cruise emphasizes youth-led decision-making. Every participant has opportunities to lead watches, coordinate tasks, and solve problems under real conditions.
• Teamwork & Responsibility:Living and operating together aboard a vessel builds strong bonds, communication skills, and a sense of shared responsibility.
• Adventure & Exploration:Crews travel to new ports, anchorages, and waterways, giving Scouts memorable experiences on oceans, lakes, or rivers.
• Achievement & Recognition:Completing a long cruise is a major milestone and contributes to key Sea Scout advancement requirements.
• Confidence & Independence:Navigating challenges—weather changes, long passages, night watches—helps Scouts develop resilience and self-reliance.

In essence, a Sea Scout long cruise is the capstone experience of the program: real adventure, real responsibility, and lifelong skills gained while underway.

Right now, we will plan to sail on my Hunter 31.  Mrs. Laura Blasiole and I will be the adult leaders.

Cost: $400 per Scout

For more information please contact: Michael Kiser, 757-645-7656