Water Balloons at Sea

These pictures were shot during a volunteer training sail on March 26, 2011 with the LAMI youth training program.

Each trip I have been on (this is my third) has a mixed crew. Some are new faces, some are familiar but the ship and safety drills remain the same.

This morning, we start at 10:00 A.M., both ships sailed south towards the Port of Long Beach inside the break water. There wasn't much wind.

The two different ship crews are competitive and often engage in mock battles but only one brigantine has a gun. They may have a loud black powder gun but we are armed with a water balloon launcher and plenty of water balloons. We are close enough to each other for several balloons to get someone wet.

Ready to launch

Balloon launched

Balloon hits target

Exy's chief pitcher winds up ready to heave a water balloon

The battle is over and each side claims the victory.

She changes course and sail away from us.

The course was not set but you can see the mainsail and main stay sail

Notice the smooth water and the drooping pennant and ensign.

She head to sea searching for whales and we stay inside dodging barges and container ships.

Every line has a function and a place to be stowed when not in use.