Swift Stories - Summer 2022

By: Cayla Wolever, Watch Officer
During our summer trips, crew members take turns blogging about their adventures while they're at sea. The following are excerpts from the Pacific Swift's blog, written on Days 2 and 6 of Trip 4.

Day 2

We anchored around 0430, and when we emerged on deck for morning cleanup we awoke at the end of the world! This is as remote and rugged as it gets- 24 miles off Cape Scott, Triangle Island is desolate, rarely visited, and prone to ghastly weather. Triangle is inhabited only by wild creatures- Stellar sea lions, cassis auklets, rhinoceros auklets, tufted puffins, sea otters, humpback whales and more.

The excitement of our rowing expedition began to build as trainees trickled on deck in the gentle roll, taking in the grandiose nature of the steep cliffs around us, the moody coastline emerging through the fog, and most of all, the deafening grunts and groans of the multitude of sea lions on the rocks surrounding us!

After breakfast, all hands launched dories and we set out for an exploratory row. Curious sea lions poked their heads out of the water, keeping tabs on our whereabouts as we moved through the bay. We investigated caves and passages and wound our way through the rocks and kelp, looking every which way as wildlife swirled around us, both above and below! Flocks of tufted puffins and oystercatchers darted overhead as we floated past sea stars, anemones and more sea lions. Keeping a safe distance, we even saw one stellar dive off a rock from 9 ft. above.


Once we had our fill, we weighed anchor and made our way southeast. We set a foresail, and the afternoon was a mix of sun and fog. We saw many humpback whales (diving right under the whisker shrouds – some trainees got a front-row seat!), an albatross, a salmon shark and a mola mola!

A knots lesson was taught before dinner, followed by evening program as we tucked into Gooding Bay for the night. Everyone is satisfied with an incredible day of wildlife!

Day 6
We weighed anchor at 0745 and headed out into the gentle swell, looking for wind! We set a reefed main, foresail, staysail and jib, and as the wind lessened, we shook out our reef and set a jib topsail. Trainees were thrilled to experience the bustling action of sail handling as we beat our way south along the coast.


In the early afternoon we tucked in behind Catala Island in Esperanza Inlet. As we lowered and furled sails, practised chartwork and enjoyed the warmth of the long-awaited sunshine. It was, of course, time to get back in the water- so trainees leapt from the rail, shrouds and rope swing, gleeful noises filling the air!

At one point our large (seriously, very large) inflatable rainbow unicorn escaped its bridle on the Swift and drifted rapidly out to sea. One crew member made a valiant attempt to swim to it, but to no avail. Eventually the Zodiac was launched for a full-fledged unicorn rescue mission as the trainees waited with baited breath for the safe return of our friend. (No unicorns were harmed in the making of this story.)

After dinner, games and singing, we were treated to the most marvellous show of the cosmos!! The Milky Way streaked across the sky, Venus and Mara shone bright and everyone kept a sharp eye out for shooting stars. The sky was ablaze with constellations until a huge waning gibbous moon rose above the mountains and shone bright across the water.

Another spectacular day!!


Continue reading our Summer 2022 newsletter