Half Shell Water Taxi

This past Saturday 6 scouts--4 totally green--crewed for the Half Shell water taxi at the Occoquan River Festival. They surely learned the importance of knowing their knots and how to hear- and take orders quickly.

Capt. Samworth started the day with an orientation of the boat, safety review, and docking procedure. He showed how to use the fire extinguisher and the old fashioned type, a bucket with a line tied to the handle, for pulling water out of the river.

Scouts came aboard for shifts of varying length, and each had a turn at the wheel. It was a true pleasure to be piloting the 81-year-old historic wooden boat up the beautiful, serene Occoquan River, looking at herons, mergansers, geese and flowers while the weekend traffic crawled on the I-95 bridge overhead.

The scouts and I had a great time! I truly appreciate Capt. Samworth's willingness to have us aboard, and especially value his- and his friend Dave's patience with the scouts' greenness.

I also appreciate all who came through as promised. They made this Skipper's life sooo much easier--and, they got themselves on my good side, the one that says, "Reliable scouts get first dibs!"

You can see more photos at the "Half Shell" Water Taxi Photos online album if interested. Photos of Capt. Samworth's horrible sandwich made the cut, somehow. Morbid fascination, I think.

I commend each scout for taking this activity seriously, applying him/herself, learning quickly, and doing a great job of crewing. It was fun to be there with them as they discovered new things they can do, important real-life job things! The experience of crewing on the Half Shell is invaluable in giving the scouts confidence in their ability to handle boats, to take on adult responsibility, and more. I look forward to seeing what further interests it sparks in them.

The only problem is the pickle loaf. Thanks to Capt. Samworth's horrible sandwich, Rebecca discovered something new and...um, "good" (so she thinks), and has made a resolution: "I am going to get pickle loaf the next time I go to the grocery store. Hmm, Tuesday I could make a sandwich for dinner, and bring it with me for the skipper's conference. Are you sure you don't want a pickle loaf sandwich? The one I had on the boat had: pickle loaf, cheese, horseradish, salsa, and salami. We should have pickle loaf on long cruise. Every day!"

My reply to Rebecca, "You have become downright audacious! Pickle loaf on the long cruise, indeed!"