well, actually the pirates got us to turn our 112-ft schooner S/Y Argo around when we were half way across the Indian Ocean.
Argo was due to head to the Med in order to hook up with our Sea|mester Crew for this year's 40-day Minimester. We hoped for a US Naval escort to get into the Mediterranean through the piracy area but at last minute it wasn't available.
The Chinese symbol for Crisis is the same as the one for Opportunity. For us the opportunities are many. The exotic Gulf of Thailand will allow for a more tropical sailing experience than we would have had in the Med. In addition, we’re also offering much more in the way of scuba diving certifications. And, for those who are ready for this educational adventure, we’ve got some news designed to put you over the top. This 40-day program will come with a virtually free round trip ticket to Bangkok as we have lowered the tuition by $1000.00 to reflect the savings of sailing in Asia!
Click HERE to learn more about this exciting opportunity.
Word From the Editor: We all have been having the time of our lives this semester, living and growing as a
group has been a great experience overall. I hope you enjoy reading this
compilation of our adventures so far on our trip. I think we are all hoping it never
ends!
Your Editor, Al Savor
Word from the Editors: Welcome to S/Y Argo and her crew’s first issue of the Spring Global 2009 Telltale. Just as the telltales of a sail show what the wind is doing, the Telltale shows what Argo and her crew of 28 are doing. Currently, we come to you from the middle of the Indian Ocean, some 1500 nm from our starting point in Phuket. We come to you tougher, tanner, stronger and smarter than when we left. We come to you as Argonauts; 28 individuals working together as 1 team, transformed by Argo and what she has brought us so far. This past month has included many new adventures and challenges, from navigating the dreaded D-rings on deck, to provisioning in Phuket. Each one comes with a lesson learned, a skill gained, and sometimes a battle wound. In the Telltales published, we’ll do our best to give you a taste of what living as an Argonaut entails. The Telltale will immerse you in both the comedic adventures, and the serious challenges we will face in the course of visiting 6 countries, while sailing over 6000 nm across 3 seas and 1 ocean. The things we experience, the people we meet and the sights we see will change us, and we hope that by reading our stories you might better understand what it means to be an Argonaut.
Danielle McCulloch
S/Y Argo and S/Y Ocean Star have both set sail on their Spring voyages. Argo is currently in the Similan Islands which lie to the West of Thailand in the Indian Ocean. Ocean Star made passage from the BVI to Nevis and will soon head further south Greneda. Visit the blogs section of the website to follow all the news...
Last month, 14 students from the Schooner Ocean Star proudly conducted three Reef Check surveys in Soufriere, St Lucia. This semester began in the British Virgin Islands on 20th September 2008, where most of the students took their first breaths underwater. After a month of Marine Biology and Oceanography classes, accompanied by many underwater adventures, they were all ready and excited to begin surveying. Read more on the Reef Check website here...
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest and most popular regatta. Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand, the event has been held every year since during the first week of December.
With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organising Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.
The Phuket King’s Cup is the jewel in the crown of the Asian Yachting Circuit, a circuit of the leading regattas in Asia including the Raja Muda International Regatta, the Singapore Straits Regatta and the China Sea Race.
Argo last competed in 2006, taking second place in her class, the classic devision, and winning the special trophy for "Most Classic Yacht".
Link to the Kings Cup website for more information and photos from this year's races. www.kingscup.com
This time of year a lot of students start to have a rethink about their second semester. Perhaps their school was not all that it was cracked up to be or maybe it’s just time to take a break. If this sounds like you, and you are looking for a change of place and a different pace, we only have a few berths remaining for this spring starting in January. Ocean Star will continue to ply the Caribbean waters while Argo will cross the Indian Ocean, ending in Greece!
If sailing aboard with us this spring is something that you are considering, do not wait too long. Application procedure usually take about two weeks to complete and we wouldn't want to leave you standing on the dock!
After almost two years to the day - and well over 25,000 sea miles - S/Y Argo crossed her own wake off the coast of Singapore to complete her first circumnavigation of the globe. Since her launch in Thailand in 2006 S/Y Argo has seen nearly 200 students come aboard and have the opportunity to take her helm.
The current crew will enjoy a short stay in Singapore before continuing northwest via Malaysia en route to Phuket where they will have the privilege to once again take part in the Kings Cup, a yearly regatta held in celebration of the King of Thailand.
Visit our Logs and Blogs pages for up to the minute news...
Sea|mester has been nominated for the American Sail Training Association Sea Education Program of the year award. This is annually awarded to a program offered by a current ASTA member which significantly contributes to the educational credibility of program under sail.
Qualified programs...
Must be offered in conjunction with a school, school system, school group or other recognized educational institution.
Must have a clear curriculum of educational goals which are compatible with curriculum goals of traditional schools.
Must have qualified instructors on a certified vessel.
Awards will be presented at the Sail Training Awards Banquet during the 36th Annual Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships in November.
If you are an alumni and would like to vote for Sea|mester to be awarded with this nomination, please send an email to lori@sailtraining.org explaining that you are an alumni of th eprogram and tell her a little about your experience and why you feel that Sea|mester shoudl win this award!
The crew of the Fall Global Sea|mester has arrived in the port of Darwin in Northern Australia after visiting the Aboriginal communities of the Tiwi Islands. Visit their BLOG to read more on the adventures of Argo and her crew... GO
S/Y Argo and her student crew had a very quick transit of the Panama Canal and will now continue west to the Galapagos Islands where they will visit the famous Charles Darwin Reasearch Center. The crew will spend a week or so in the islands and should get a chance to tour, SCUBA dive and do some community service before continuing west to the Marquesas Islands and eventually finsihing up in Tahiti.
I know that Emily's wildest expectations were surpassed, and I don't think she has ever been happier than when she was on Ocean Star. Her shipmates were apparently wonderful, and the staff was confidence-inspiring and confidence-building. She always felt completely safe, and felt that the education she received was top notch. I think the voyages are an incredible value and offer kids once in a lifetime experiences. Thank you so much for the quality of your program and all it gave to Emily.
