By SARAH LIPMAN
Special Correspondent

April 1 2009

A sure sign of warmer weather and the start of sailing season, the SoundWaters 80-foot schooner was lowered into water Tuesday in preparation for its first journey from the Norwalk Cove Marina to Brewer Yacht Haven Marina in Stamford.

"It's exciting to see the boat back in water every spring," Hilary Starks, event coordinator for SoundWaters, said as she watched gigantic cranes lower the boat.

The three-masted schooner will spend its 18th year as a floating classroom, educating children and families about Long Island Sound. Nearly 8,000 people sail on the schooner to harbors in Westchester County and Long Island in New York, said the ship's captain, Justin Cathcart.

"After a long season, the boat needs its winter off," Cathcart said. "Since it's in use so much during the summer season, we do most of its maintenance during the winter and early spring before the programs begin."

About two weeks of repainting and repairing went into readying the schooner -- from checking pipes and the engine to paint detailing -- he said. Before the boat sets sail this weekend, the masts will be lifted onto the ship.

Much of the work on the boat has been dependent on the weather, Cathcart said, but programming is slated to begin as early as April 16.

A professional crew of six -- including Cathcart, who has served as captain for five years -- will be trained in the next couple of weeks in education efforts and maintaining the ship. Many are recruited from the Sea Education Association program and come from across the country.

Tuesday was the crew's first day.

"At the end of their training, this group will be able to tie knots and dock a ship in a minute flat," Starks said. "They'll be incredibly fast."

Alyssa Abegg, a crew member from Alaska, said she has experience sailing in California but looks forward to teaching children about sailing and learning about the Sound and the differences in the two locations.

"Teaching kids about the environmental issues is really important to me," Abegg said as she tied the boat to the dock. "Making them aware of their impact on the Long Island Sound is exciting."

-- Special Correspondent Sarah Lipman can be reached at sarah.lipman@scni.com or 964-2214.

Read the story on The Advocate's website.