KELSEYVILLE — The Sea Scout Ship?Konocti Phoenix?marked another successful competition at the annual Sea Scout Ancient Mariner Regatta (AMR) held over the Memorial Day weekend aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Museum in Alameda.
The Ancient Mariner Regatta is a gathering of Sea Scout Ships from California, Oregon, and Hawaii.
“Considering most of us, including myself, had never gone to AMR before, the crew did pretty good,” said Joe Swehla, Konocti Phoenix”s senior youth crewman. “We learned what we needed to focus on, and we”ll work harder to come back even better next year.”
About 400 Sea Scouts competed in 25 events designed to test their maritime, safety, boat handling and swimming skills.
Lake County”s only Sea Scout unit, Konocti Phoenix Ship 711 based at Braito”s Marina in Kelseyville, came home with the “Catboat” class — the first of four classes leading to advanced skill levels.
The six Ship 711 participants (five males, one female) did well in outdoor events such as team swimming, obstacle course, and code flags. They also won high marks in first aid, team knots and uniform inspection, according to the ship”s skipper, Bob Penny.
“I”m proud of the spirit and teamwork they exhibited and what they were able to achieve,” Penny said. “Scoring high isn”t as important as getting our Sea Scouts to participate in the program in a fun and educational way, and helping them develop useful life skills.”
Because they were few in number, the Konocti Phoenix females joined forces with two other female crew members from the Sea Fox, a Scout Ship based in Alameda.
Most other Sea Scout units have a dozen or more participants per ship, according to Penny. Having fewer participants is somewhat of a disadvantage because of the smaller pool of abilities able to compete in a wide range of events.
The Sea Scout Ship Konocti Phoenix is actively recruiting and invites young men and women?ages 13 to 20 in Lake County to join their crew. The summer months will be spent on Clear Lake, operating their 40-ft former Navy launch boat, as well as several small and medium-sized sailboats.
The crew also plans to engage in conservation-related service projects with the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association and Redbud Audubon Society.
The Ship is also interested in recruiting adult leaders who wish to become involved in a maritime-themed scouting program.?For more information on activities or programs, contact Penny at?263-5235?or visit?http://ship711.wordpress.com.
Attached: Photo by Gigi Stahl
Caption: Lake County Konocti Phoenix Sea Scout Ship 711 at uniform inspection for the Ancient Mariner Regatta aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in Alameda. From left to right: Justin Hingston, Seth Travis-Pawelek, Bella Quintana, Skipper Bob Penny, Liam Stahl, Joe Swehla, and Keha Maldonado.
