Harvey Gamage

>> Saturday, January 25, 2014

Meet the Spring Crew of the Harvey Gamage!

Captain Christopher Flansburg -

Raised in the majestic American west, Captain Flansburg started working on boats after running out of money while travelling through Israel in 1988. From there he continued sailing while also developing his skill as a leader working with youth at risk in south central Utah where he taught wilderness survival and human coping skills. He has traveled and sailed in Europe, the Middle East, and Central America, and finally settled on a career in traditional sail in the late 90's. When not at sea, he is home working in a circa 1860's farmhouse blacksmithing and tending his chickens. He has been a captain for OCF for more than a decade and we all are lucky to benefit from his experience, sense of humor, and benevolent spirit.

Lizzie Loomis- Cook

Lizzie is so much more than just the cook. Not only does she provide the crew and students with three hearty meals per day, midrats, and glorious, custom, made-to-order birthday cakes, her galley harbors a sense of community that we come to rely on during the hard times at sea. When she is not working hard to nourish our bodies, she nourishes our spirits with her radiant smile and angelic singing voice.

Our Last Days...

>> Thursday, November 21, 2013

There are mixed feelings as we pass the last few days together in beautiful Old San Juan. Yesterday, we spent several hours exploring the breath-taking Spanish fort, El Morro. We saw it perched atop the harbor as we sailed in yesterday morning, but it was even more impressive to look out over the sea from El Morro's perch.

Captain Flansburg flips Bailey during the awkward turtle race!

>> Monday, November 18, 2013

Schooner Olympics

Today A watch took the prize in the schooner olympics! It was a fierce competition involving a pin chase, a heaving line throw, an awkward turtle swim, and the setting and striking of the staysail under attack by lister hose.

Santo Domingo to Vieques

>> Saturday, November 16, 2013

Twenty-five tacks and six days later, we're finally anchored in Sun Bay, Vieques. White sand beaches and clear blue water greeted us early in the morning. This past week consisted of taking our final exams. All of our hard work academically finally paid off, and now the weight of studying is off our shoulders. These last few days will bring us to Culebra and San Juan, and eventually back home to Boston. We are all excited to have some colder weather, but leaving Gamage will be the hardest part of this voyage.

Some of us however, aren't leaving Harvey Gamage permanently. This trip, despite only being two and a half months, has made a lasting impression on us. Enough of an impression to make a few of us want to come back and work on Gamage as either a deckhand or educator. The trip will end in a week for some of us, but for the others it will only be a matter of time before we are "back on deck" ("Back on deck!").