A summer Aboard Mystic Whaler
This summer, I worked aboard the Mystic Whaler. The Mystic Whaler is a schooner stationed in New London Connecticut for the season. She is 110 feet long from tip to tip, can take 52 passengers (plus 8 crew members) and does anything from 2-hour sunset cruises to 5 day overnight trips. I came on board for the summer of mid-June. I didn’t have much sailing experience behind me. However I was extremely fortunate to have captain Pat, Captain John and an incredible crew to guide me.
A typical Friday/Saturday consisted of a 3-hour Luncheon cruise and a 3-hour lobster dinner cruise. The day starts with a 07:30-07:45 wakeup. Usually, the chef on board would prepare breakfast for the crew. Around 08:30, the crew split up into 3 tasks. Cleaning the heads, cleaning the great room (a below-deck lounge) and preparing for a deck wash. Once those chores were completed, the crew musters with Captain John and Captain Pat.
After setting sail, we serve the passengers Captain Pat’s famous Delaware clam chowder (which is always a favorite among the passengers and crew). After the clam chowder, we serve passengers lunch. In the beginning, was difficult for me to focus on both sailing and customer service. However, with guidance, the crew taught me how to efficiently multitask. This skill was important because if we’re not catering to a passenger's need, it makes the crew look like they don’t care. However, we also have to be sure we’re sailing as smoothly/safely as possible.
After our lobster dinner cruise concludes, the crew is tasked with putting the boat to bed. This usually involves furling the sails, striking flags, putting the Mystic Whaler banners up and checking every bilge. This process is to ensure that the boat looks nice and is safe for the crew to sleep on.
I am glad I had the opportunity to sail with the Mystic Whaler. I learned an immense amount about sailing, gained food/customer service skills and made long-lasting bonds with my shipmates. Overall, I would love to go back and sail on board for another season.
The Captain John and Pat have been amazing supporters for Harbor School programs and keeping our students involved with life changing opportunities in the Tall Ship Community. The hands on experience we receive on traditional sailing vessels can be can carried over to any field of employment and academia. Future employers are looking for team players, leaders, communicator and hard work ethic (grit).
~ Brendan Reidy