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.

San Pedro's Tall Ships

These pictures were taken on March 26 during a LAMI crew training trip.

Both of the brigantines went out and we proceeded east  towards Long Beach.

The two ships are named Exy Johnson and Irving Johnson and are close to being twins but there are some differences.

Inside or outside the breakwater it is not uncommon to find freighters and oil transport ships at anchor.

A brigantine is rigged with two masts.

The GPS display and compass are located forward of the helm

The mainsail is on the left and the square sails (top to bottom) are Fore Top gallant, Fore Upper Top Sail, Fore Lower Topsail and the Course.

Same sail from a port view

Lunch break

Captain at the helm

Going below to the berths.

From 20-34 berths depending on route or program.

Sailing on the Brigantines

Earlier in the year I attended a orientation meeting at the Los Angeles Marine Institute and signed up for crew training. This set of pictures were taken with my IPhone during a sail training trip on February 12, 2011.

Loading the ship's gun.

Black powder

Reentering the Los Angeles Harbor

I have not been blogging much lately but I will continue to add pictures of the sailing on the tall ships.

Whale Fiesta

Almost every morning we leave the marina and I take my dog Dede for her morning walk. She likes to head for Cabrillo Beach to look for the squirrels that run around the park. A couple of weeks ago I noticed a hanging sign announcing the Whale Fiesta.

So I entered the date in the back of my forgetful storage device under my hat. Then this Friday morning I saw a tractor moving sand and dumping it under the direction of two fellows that were measuring the placement of each load of sand.

They also had two large books opened to pictures of whales.

Friday the form was just a lump of sand. Then Saturday the shape started to form.

Then you add a fire hose and water.

And whales need lots of water,

And then it started to rain.

When I fist came over early Sunday morning the whale was a work in progress. Later after ten I rode by bicycle back over to take more pictures which wasn't a great idea as my bicycle doesn't have a roof and the sky opened up.

The following pictures were taken Monday morning.

I guess somebody had fun whale walking.