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Sailing Log – December 2014

    Sailing Log Entry

Sailing Vessel: Odyssey School Date: 12/20/13

Location: San Mateo, California

I can remember those nights like they just happened last week. The Lane family ritual was repeated annually and the script was always identical. I would busily work for 2 solid days on Island Dreamer to prepare her for an ocean voyage to the Northern Channel Islands before our sail down to the warm and clear waters of Catalina Island. My wife, daughter, and son would arrive in Santa Barbara Harbor in the early evening. After a dinner at Brophy’s, we would walk down to Marina One to complete our final preparations in order to clear the breakwater by midnight.

I had a clipboard full of checklists attached to my flexible yet firm “Float Plan” in my hands as I slowly made one last round of visual inspections. The engine was idling at 600 RPMs and the panel indicated that the oil pressure and temperature were within their limits. The night interior lights were glowing red throughout the boat and the fuel and water tanks were topped off. The Furuno radar unit was set to short range for the midnight harbor departure and the VHF radios were crackling with frequent bridge-­‐to-­‐bridge communications despite the late hour. The United States Coast Guard Station in Los Angeles was posting a warning on channel 16 about a large southern swell approaching within 24 hours. Two container ship captains in the Santa Barbara Channel were discussing the CPA (Closest Point of Approach) on channel 13 as one ship passed the other in the southbound traffic lanes. Both vessels were bound for Angel’s Gate in the Port of Los Angeles. Island Dreamer’s compasses were all in order. The electronic chart plotting system was up and running. The Autohelm computer was engaged and standing by. The electrical distribution panel confirmed that the ship’s batteries were fully charged. The sonar unit was graphically charting the benthic terrain under the boat’s keel and the pumps were all working soundly and the bilge was empty.

Last minute food items were being stowed in the galley and the coffee pot was brewing. Outside of the main salon, the boat’s deck lights were burning brightly. The navigation lights were lit and the spotlight on the inflatable boat tow package was switched on. The cockpit navigation computer and radios were operational and the MOM (Man Overboard Module) was properly mounted on the taffrail. All portholes and hatches were closed and all ground tackle was tightly secured.

My kids were anxious. It was nearly midnight and they were waiting for my announcement. Finally, when all of the system checks were completed and all appeared to be in order I simply said, “Island Dreamer is cleared for sea.” This was what they were waiting for. In an instant, the bow and stern lines were dropped, fenders pulled in, deck lights switched off and the boat’s engine shifted into reverse. As we backed out of our slip, the night sky appeared to be alive with dancing starlight. The red interior radiance spilling through the companionway hatch and the brilliant masthead light could only have one meaning. We were underway and sailing towards another adventure! We cleared the mile marker, hoisted the main and increased the boat’s speed to 6 knots on a windless, calm night. We would find the first breeze once we escaped the lee of Point Conception, 13 nautical miles out on course south by southeast. Radar was switched to long range and the inflatable boat painter was increased to a longer length for an ocean tow.

The system of checks and balances (Float Plan) that was employed for several days and used right on up until our midnight departure gave us comfort and peace of mind. There is no room for error when one ventures out into the open ocean on a dark night with loved ones aboard.

The good ship Odyssey is about to depart on a major passage from her honored past into her exhilarating future. An external check system, a Float Plan of sorts, will have to be applied so that she is “cleared for sea.” This will guarantee a safe, bountiful, and breathtaking journey for all. Fortunately, there is a very fine organization that can assist with Odyssey’s preparations for her exciting quest. The CAIS (California Association of Independent Schools) is poised to support the Odyssey crew. The purpose of this agency is to assist independent schools in manifold ways so that member institutions can deliver high quality educational programming to their clients. The CAIS is always interested in insuring that schools work in close proximity to their stated missions while remaining somewhat neutral to the specifics of each school’s vision.

As we approach the end of the year we all have much to be thankful for. I sincerely hope that all parents take full advantage of the Winter Break to spend some quality time with their children. Whereas kids might forget the calculus that we teach them in our schools, they will always fondly remember family traditions. They carry these important childhood echoes into their adult years as indelible imprints that serve to anchor their overall happiness and well being

I look forward to seeing our excited student crew on campus after the first of the year. I also look forward to the CAIS accreditation work that will advance Odyssey School in its desire to provide a meaningful and relevant education to all students. You might consider marking the date of January 23rd on your calendars. Ann Smith, Odyssey Trustee and Executive Director of the Gifted Support Center, will be hosting a parent education evening designed to illuminate guests in regards to the complex topic of gifted students. I also hope that all parents will commit to attending future “Wine Mixer” events. The next one is scheduled for February 7th at Jan Pickering’s lovely home in San Mateo. Please email Millie to get a spot on the guest list. Lastly, I encourage any parent to call or email me – even during our break – if they feel the need as I always benefit from parent conversations.

Warmest Regards and Happy Holidays!

Steveo

Navigator & Sailing Master Good Ship Odyssey

 

“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it – but sail we must, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

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