Ship's Bulletin Board
Twelfth Annual Catoctin Winter Training

On January 6th through the 8th, 2006, some of the shipmates of Mariner Scout Ship 1548 went to winter training at Camp Round Meadow, Catoctin National Park, Maryland, which is located right next to Camp David. The event was sponsored by Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland.  There were over 200 Scouts and adults in attendance.  It was a fun-filled weekend, even with the classes. During the day, we went to classes that were held on many different topics about boats, boat safety, drilling, and nautical skills training. This training event was for both Scouts and Sea Scouting adult officers. On Saturday night after classes there was a big dance, a board games social, basketball and Ultimate Frisbee, something for everyone which was awesome! Sea Scout Ship 1942 conducted a Bridge of Honor ceremony on Saturday afternoon to present the Quartermaster Award to two of its Female Scouts and a life saving award to one, it was very imppressive.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the weekend, and many were sad to leave the next day. It may have been cold, but berthing was in dormitories that were great heated cabins and cafeteria-style meals were served, all at a picturesque mountain campus. 

Christmas Party

From Saturday the 10th to Sunday the 11th of December, some Mariners attended the annual Scout Christmas Party hosted by Sea Scout Ship 548. Different ships from all over Maryland attended. There was pizza, drinks, games, a live D.J., dancing and a gift exchange. It was a lot of fun but the best part was getting together with the other ships before the end of the year.

The Naval Academy Visit

For Saturday, October 22 the Mariner Ship 1548 and Sea Scout Ship 548 took a trip to the Naval Academy, Annapolis. We met with a former Scout, now Naval Academy student and Midshipman, Amy Hunt, from Georgia Sea Scout Ship 2000. She gave us a completely personalized tour of the campus. We felt like V.I.P.

On our tour Amy showed us plenty of things including the sleeping accommodations of the students, the crypt of John Paul Jones, the gyms and pools, the fields, etc. Of course there were plenty of questions to be asked, especially by our inquisitive Mariner, Christy. There wasn’t one question she didn’t ask.

The tour Amy gave us was much better than any paid tour, because we really got an inside, honest view from a student in the Academy. She said, and quote, “The Academy is only for people who are truly passionate about the job.” “Being in the Academy is not easy,” she said, “If you’re not in love with being here you won’t stay here very long.” She told us that you truly have to want to be here. She also said that she wouldn’t want any other job in the world. She was one of those who were truly enthusiastic about what she did. She loved it.

The Officers who do come out of the Academy come out with a much better understanding of respect, teamwork, independence, and self worth. It may be hard to get into the Naval Academy, one of the best schools in the country, but when you come out, you come out as a person who will be able to make a difference for our country.

I think that by the end of our trip to Annapolis, the Scouts had a new out look on our Navy and Naval Academy. It was a good experience for everyone, regardless of their military interests. All in all, it was a great trip; it was fun, educational, and intriguing all at once. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we take a trip to the Naval Academy.

Devon Fehn

Veterans Parade and FUN  DAY  IN  NOVEMBER 

On November 11, 2005,to start a wonderful day for Scouting, 14 members of GS Mariner Ship 1548 and Sea Scout Ship 548 attended a memorial service at the American Legion Post in Avenue, Maryland.  After picking up our 8 oar pulling boat we reported to the staging area in Leonardtown, Maryland, for the Veteran’s Day Parade.   

We were unable to get up to our assigned spot behind Leonardtown High School Band because of all the masses of marchers and floats.  So we fell in behind the Classic Cars.  First in line carrying Ship 548’s Banner was Mascot Hanna Demers and Mariner Katie Sullivan.  Then the Ship’s Color Guard, Natalie Yeckley, Mike Hearth, Kyle Demers, and Morgan Miller, with two scouts, Devon Fehn and James Wentz, behind them. 

Then followed one of our 15 passenger vans pulling the Pulling Boat with three Mariners, Alex Fehn, Christi Diaz, and Sabrina Stewart handing out brochures.  Bringing up the rear was our second 15 passenger van.  After the parade we all went to our annual “business lunch” at the Hong Kong Buffet.

In the afternoon Ship members went bowling at the Patuxent Naval Air Station. 

Scores on the first game were:  

 

Alex – 98

Christi – 116

Katie – 93

Sabrina – 95

Mike – 74

Natalie – 88

Bernie – 98

Perry – 67

Pete – 106

Morgan – 99

Devon – 85

James – 87

Some of the members had to use the gutter guards to keep the ball on the lane.  It was decided that we did not need to keep score on the following games. 

Everyone went home happy at about 1700.  All agreed that it was the best fun days we have had this year.


Safety at Sea Weekend 

Our Mariner Ship headed up to the Curtis Bay Coast Guard station for the Safety at Sea weekend. There we joined a other Mariner and Sea Scout Ships and Navy Cadets from places like Virginia, Georgia, West Virginia, Northern Maryland, etc. Some of them we knew and were old friends with, others we met for the first time.

S.A.S. consisted of courses that we took, hands on, that taught us basic boating safety. We took Damage Control, Flares, Hypothermia Prevention, Pumps, Fire Hose, and we even got a tour of some of the Coast Guard’s fastest boats.

I think that the majority of the scouts enjoyed the Damage Control the most. That is where they make you get into this little, dry, tank with pipes and hoses all over. They give you a few wedges, hammers, cloths, and the most important, duct tape. When you get into the tank you’re not sure what to expect, but when they turn the water on, you have to rush to keep the “boat” from sinking. Every little place you can imagine starts spurting water out and you have to hurry to plug it up.

We also learned to shoot flares, to keep warm, and alive, if you were in hypothermic waters with your mustang suit, and to see if you are faster at bailing water then the Coast Guard’s pumps are. We got to shoot a bucket (later a buoy) with a fire hose, and try to tie knots in freezing cold ice water. They even did a cool helicopter rescue demonstration.

After the long day we had to relax, and then we had to have our traditional Scout dance.

All in all it was a load of fun and I think the Mariners did as well as the Sea Scouts at their courses. Every one had a great time and all are looking forward to it next year.