BBI Scuttlebutt

Track Fair Jeanne

2009-07-10T09:36:00.002-04:00

You may now track the Fair Jeanne as she makes her way to Halifax and back this summer.

the url is sailwx.info and you can either track all the tall ships making their way to Halifax or just Fair Jeanne by searching her call sign: VA5303.

This tracking system should be updated at least once a day. It has to be done manually so do not become alarmed if it is not updated for a day or two.

Also, we will still continue to update this blog on a regular basis.

Fair Winds!

Update: July 10, 2009

2009-07-10T09:29:00.004-04:00

Update from the Fair Jeanne:

Fair Jeanne left Ramouski early this morning and they are now underway going towards Gaspé, QC. The weather is much more enjoyable now and this run will be about 23 hours. If the weather continues to hold-up they will continue through Gaspé onto another leg of their trip toward Halifax.

Also, Bytown Brigantine would like to congratulate the Great Lake Swimmers who played an open air concert aboard the Fair Jeanne last month for making the short list for the Polaris Music Prize to be awarded in September.

Update from Black Jack:

Last night the crew and trainees had their ship’s concert which was a great success. Today is the last day of camp and despite the weather everyone had a great time and will certainly miss each other.

Another final reminder that pick up will be at noon in Quyon. Check Back to the blog next week to see some pictures from the camp!

July 9, 2009

2009-07-09T11:39:00.002-04:00

Update from the Island:

Black Jack program trainees have been having a terrific time learning to navigate the Ottawa River aboard our two Navy Whalers. Today the kids are doing a treasure hunt that will take them around the Island and over to Fitzroy Park for dinner and their ships concert. No word yet if treasure has been found.

Update from Fair Jeanne:

The poor weather is lifting and the Fair Jeanne is now along side in Ramouski, QC. The crew is restocking on groceries and supplies while the trainees will enjoy some shore leave.

The blog will be updated again this afternoon with a link to a website where the Fair Jeanne's location can be tracked each day.

Fair Winds,

BBI Office

Fair Jeanne Voyage C

2009-07-06T15:54:00.003-04:00

Ahoy,

Fair Jeanne finally got underway Saturday morning at 0600hrs. Good progress was made as they were able to go about 80 nautical miles until high winds forced the boat to dock at Coco Landing, near Montreal. Sunday was another early morning as the boat was underway again by 0500hrs. The weather still was poor was the crew was able to put 94 nautical miles behind them before spending the night near Trois Riviers.

Today the crew has been battling high winds and was not able to make their goal of Quebec City but have docked instead about twenty miles short of there at Port Ness. They will wait for the storm to pass.

Despite the poor weather the crew and trainees all seem to be in good spirits as they get to know each other and the vessel they are now calling home.

Fair winds for now,

BBI Office.

Black Jack Commodore's Sail Past

2009-06-08T11:16:00.003-04:00

The Captain and Crew of the Black Jack were very busy this past Sunday as it was the Commodore's sail past at BYC. We had a group of 16 people out to help get the ship in great shape and handle sail once the ship was underway.

Captain McNaught wanted to extend a big thanks to everyone for a terrific day and to mother nature for holding the rain off until the end of the day!

Mr. Drinnan

2009-06-08T11:01:00.003-04:00

Sam Drinnan is an old salt around the Bytown Brigantine program. He started in the program in 2001 and has spent every summer with us since. Sam will hold the position of first mate aboard the Fair Jeanne this summer. We are very lucky to have him aboard for another season as the ship heads to Halifax.

Captain St-Laurent

2009-06-08T10:55:00.003-04:00

Captain Jules St-Laurent has stepped aboard the Fair Jeanne as the new master. He has a long history in the merchant marines, and is learning the ropes quickly aboard the STV Fair Jeanne before the ship makes her way to the east coast to participate in the tall ships events in Nova Scotia this summer.

Great Lake Swimmers Visit Fair Jeanne

2009-06-08T10:42:00.002-04:00

Saturday was a fun filled event as the Great Lake Swimmers took the stage on top of the main cabin top on board the Fair Jeanne. There was a crowd of several hundred who enjoyed the terrific concert on Brockville's waterfront.

The crew of the Fair Jeanne worked very hard to get the ship in tip top shape. The ship was dressed, the crew looked great in their uniform. Thanks to everyone for making the day such a great success!

Fair Jeanne Prescott Update

2009-06-04T15:32:00.004-04:00

Fair Jeanne has been in Prescott for a week now and the masts have gone up. Things are really getting into shape now!

For those of you who don't know, the Fair Jeanne will be hosting an open air concert with the Great Lake Swimmers this Saturday (June 6) in Brockville The show starts at 2:30 and everyone is welcome! Bring your friends, family and colleagues along to see this great show. For info about the band, the Great Lake Swimmer, see their website at www.greatlakeswimmers.com

See you all there!

Fair Jeanne Voyage 1, 2009

2009-05-26T16:23:00.001-04:00

Fair Jeanne left Ottawa and headed under the bridge around 1330 yesterday afternoon.

The trip from Ottawa to Carillon was good but cold with wind from the north.

They arrived at Carillon at 20:40 hours.

The crew is well.

The engine works nicely.

The Carillon lock master should be in at 09:00.

We hope to be able to dock in Valleyfield tonight.

Fair Jeanne Voyage 1, 2009

2009-05-25T09:10:00.002-04:00

It is the morning of MAy 25th, 2009, the day many people have been working towards for a long couple of months. Thank you to all the people who worked and volunteered to get the Fair Jeanne ready for the 2009 sailing season. It is sure to be a great one.

Fair Jeanne is leaving her home port of Ottawa heading to Prescott ON and then on to Brockville to be ready for the Great Lake Swimmers on June 6th. Pictures to follow later today.

2009-05-15T10:52:00.000-04:00

Fair Jeanne Launch

2009-05-14T16:56:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Michel Cunha, who took these pictures on the day the Fair Jeanne went in the locks on May 4, 2009. Thanks to everyone for your help. Heres to another great season!

Fast and Furious on the Tall Ship Fair Jeanne

2009-04-21T19:38:00.004-04:00

Today I spent the day between the Fair Jeanne and the Office. A team from Fuller construction is working like crazy grinding areas of glass on the hull in need of repair. We also have three people working on the inside painting the entire crew's quarters with fire retardant paint. The ship right now is pretty clean considering the amount of work that's going on and below the rubbing strake on the outside of the hull is a huge tarp tent covering the entire ship. The guys grinding the fiberglass look like a bunch of teletubbies from outer space, with white coveralls and masks that cover their entire face. They don't have an easy job but most of them have done it before, and they are good at it.

In the next few days I will be concentrating very hard on getting a Crew Orientation put together. Our crew is excellent and I am excited for them to begin working on both Black Jack and the Fair Jeanne. They have more than a few long days coming their way but I know they are up for it. Our crew orientation will go over the objectives for the season and it will be a good time for them to get to know the new Captain. Bytown Brigantine crew are held to a very high standard and they all have to work very hard as volunteers year-round to be considered for a position. We hire them because they're good people, good teachers and excellent communicators, not just sailors. Are they the best? You bet.

Gnomes and Engines at BBI

2009-04-20T18:41:00.006-04:00

After hosting two of my closest friends from Nova Scotia for the week, I was dead tired. That being said, I began the evening at the BBI Office on Friday face down in the storage room sawing logs. Mary was supposed to wake me after 20 minutes, but an hour passed before I heard the voices of some board members coming through the front door... and if they opened the storage room door to see me drooling on the floor things could have gotten a little awkward.

I always have fun during the weekends at BBI, and Friday began with my presentation of Collision Regulations (Rules of the Road) to the crew. Sounds like fun, eh? I wonder a lot about the people who actually write that stuff. Trying to make sense of government publications is like trying to lick an ice cream cone through your ear. It's not going to happen. If anyone is a fan of Harry Potter and has read (or seen) the little goblins that work in the bank...Gringott's, I think...well, I imagine that they are goblins....writing col regs locked away in a cave somewhere, or a tower....who knows...but they don't get the chance to communicate much, because if they did, they would quickly find out that they aren't...well...normal.

Anyway- I got a little sidetracked. The Cold Regs presentation was saved by Angus (aka Mittonious) who put on a very strange accent (something between Indian and Irish) and became my game show host. We had fabulous prizes... a couple of pens and mouse pads that we got for free from somewhere...which were unfortunately so fabulous that they all got left behind at the end of the weekend.

Sunday was the real entertainment with Albert Rolfe teaching us about outboard engine maintenance and repair. We had 9 outboards on stands and all of us learned how to service them...our biggest challenge was actually an old Evinrude 2hp that looked as if it had been made with clubs and sharpened rocks right after the first wheel. Unbelievably, Kate, Teeter and Sophie got it running before it died...then died again...and again.........and again....but for a few wonderful minutes, that little 2hp purred like a kitten, a very sick little kitten with a smoking problem.

Winter Program Small Engine Repair

2009-04-19T13:54:00.003-04:00

Thank you very much to Albert Rolfe for teaching us about small engine repair. We got a great deal of practical hands on experience. Hopefully we will be much better at trouble shooting while the boats are underway this season.

Stability Lesson from Bob MacLaren

2009-04-08T15:04:00.002-04:00

On March 27, 2009 the BBI winter program crew were much enlightened. One of our directors, Bob MacLaren gave us a lesson in ships intact stability. It was a lot to learn, but we certainly have a better understanding of the GZ curve. We might have a few more questions though!

Join us for an adult voyage!

2009-04-03T13:00:00.000-04:00

Bytown Brigantine’s adult voyages on the STV Fair Jeanne are designed for people who are looking for a hands-on adventure in a demanding yet rewarding environment. Our adult sail training programs aren’t for everybody. Quarters are tight, days can be long, and unlike a cruise, you might find yourself cleaning a toilet. We’re looking for people who can handle challenge; those who are willing to come together as a crew in order to sail a type of ship that demands teamwork in order to achieve success. The type of people that enjoy Bytown Brigantine sail training programs are the ones that are willing to learn, though experience, all aspects of seamanship and navigation from tying knots, chart work and setting sails to taking the helm of an ocean-going tall ship in full canvas.

Travel and Vacation Show

2009-04-01T11:04:00.001-04:00

BBI will have a booth at the Ottawa Travel and Vacation Show this weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Hope you can drop by.

2009-04-01T10:15:00.001-04:00

A couple of more pictures from March Break Camp.

Winter Program Weekend March 27, 28, 29

2009-03-26T10:30:00.002-04:00

Hello Winter Programmers-

On Friday we have a ship stability presentation by our Naval Architect Bob MacLaren beginning at 6:30 and ending at 8:30.

If you do not have your Radio Operators Certificate this is a reminder that we are offering a course beginning on Saturday and ending on Sunday. The course starts at 9:00am and runs to 5:00pm both days.

If you have your ROC, I will be working on the whalers and would appreciate any assistance. We will also be working from 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Everyone is welcome to overnight at the office on Friday and Saturday night.

Hope to see you this weekend!

March Break Camp 2009

2009-03-26T08:59:00.004-04:00

BBI March Break Camp 2009 was warmer and a lot less snowy compared to last year.

Bowling at Merivale Lanes was terrific, and Captain McNaught was on the verge of becoming pro before Thibault changed his score in the middle of the game to tame his ego :)

During the day we were joined Margaret Long, the Captain's mother, who flew up from Lunenburg, NS to help out with the costumes and hammocks the crew were making for the Halifax Expedition. Margaret sailed on the Picton Castle with Mary during the tall ships races in 2000, and quickly settled into the BBI program, helping us along with our projects. Thanks once again! Terra Mitton (Angus' Mom) and her friend Robbi also came in with an array of extremely high tech sewing...er...contraptions....and helped us out with the costumes too. Thanks to them as well!!!

On Tuesday, the BBI crew went by bus to Scotia Bank Place to see the Sens in action. After the first few minutes the Sens were losing- and everyone decided en masse to cheer for the Sabres...this unfortunately turned into a big mistake, because the Sens came back to win the game that night, depsite Rolfe's attempts to get the entire stadium involved in a 'Let's Go Buffalo' chant. The highlight of the game wasn't even on the ice, however, because two dancing Leprechauns wearing enormous hats blocked most of the ice out after the first period was over. The crew got more pics and video of them than the players.

One of the other highlights of the March Break camp was our trip to Tag Zone. Tag Zone is like indoor paintball - but instead of paintballs they use soft rubber balls (that, despite being soft, left us with a few welts). The crew were pretty pumped about going, and once we started the adrenaline only rose higher...it turned out that being short was one of the best advantages to Tag Zone, and Angus Mitton pelted us with rubber balls for 2 hours, winning the prestigious 'every man for himself' round.

Thanks to everyone for making the Camp such a great success and an extra thank you to the volunteers who donated their time and expertise to make the week possible. We'll see you again next year!!!

Thanks to John, Margaret, Julie, Tara, Robbi. Thanks also to the people who work at the Fuller Head office for sharing your space for the week.

2009-03-25T16:39:00.001-04:00

Mary is on the blog once again

Winter Program Changes

2009-03-13T08:44:00.002-04:00

Jason has fine-tuned the remaining Winter Program activities that are coming up. There is going to be a lot happening in the next few months!

There are tons of activities planned for the March Break Camp running from March 16-20.
Shipyard Work Parties are starting up again on March 28 & 29.
If you need your VHF Restricted Operator's Card, there is a course coming up for that.
There are a few Friday night training sessions thrown in for good measure.
And there are a bunch more work parties planned to get the ships ready for the summer.

Check out the Winter Program Page and the Volunteer Work Party page for details and contact the office at 613-596-6258 if you want more information or to tell them you plan to be there.

Going to Halifax!

2009-01-18T11:03:00.003-05:00

We've posted new dates and destinations for the Fair Jeanne voyages to Halifax this summer. The thinking was that the 21-day trips were a bit long and a pricey, so we broke the voyages up into smaller more affordable legs. The new dates and destinations can be found on the Dates and Fees page.

Essentially the schedule of voyages on Fair Jeanne in 2009 look like this:

Two 7 day shakedown voyages from Brockville, Ontario to Picton, Ontario, and then from Picton to Québec City, Québec.
A 15 day voyage from Québec to Halifax, Nova Scotia to participate in the Tall Ships Nova Scotia Festival 2009 from 16-20 July.
A few stops to visit some of the ports around Nova Scotia before heading back east, again in smaller voyage legs.
An 8 day trip from Pictou, Nova Scotia to Miramichi, New Brunswick.
A 15 day trip from Miramichi to Brockville.
And then wrapping up the summer with a 5 day jaunt from Brockville to Kingston.

Mary and Jason are trying to fill the last two Fair Jeanne voyages with younger trainees, i.e. those 13 & 14 year olds, who are looking for a bigger, more challenging adventure than available on Black Jack. If you are at all interested, please call that office at 613-596-6258 and talk to Mary about it.