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Schedule

Schedule of Upcoming Activities and Events 2023
Voyages and Work Sessions
Appearances/Demos/Gatherings
ListServ Info
T-Shirts For Sale
Voyage Regulations
 

 

Voyages & Work Sessions

All dates and details should be confirmed through the LSCo Hotline 301-390-4089 - note, this is a person's house, please don't call before 9:00am Eastern Time or after midnight).

Email longshipco AT hotmail.com for more information on all events
 

 


Current voyage schedule 2023

The season is drawing to a close - take advantage of these last opportunities to go out on the Sae Hrafn - (See Also Work Sessons)

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November 25 voyage and down-rigging This is the last regular voyage of the year a voyage, followed by down-rigging at the end of it. The voyage will be a bit shorter than usual to give us enough time/light to lower the mast in the afternoon. The weather is predicted to be fall-like cool, but there should be sunshine, and the breeze will be only about 4 - 5 mph. So, dress appropriately for the weather, and take part in this last voyage and the critical task of down-rigging

December 9 - Haul out This is the best day tide-wise for haul out, so will be going ahead with it unless the weather gets really bad. High tide will be just before noon, which means that we want to be hauling out as close to noon as possible, so that means getting an early start and having things run smoothly. As usual, we will take the trailer and a couple of cars to the ramp in the morning, and have the drivers shuttled back to the dock. We will row the ship down the creek, get it on the trailer bring it back to Oakley, and get it in the shelter. We need to get the ship out of the water for the winter, and the more hands we have, the quicker and easier it will go.

December 16 -back-up date for haulout High tide is after 5pm (i.e after sunset) but getting the ship on the trailer at 2pm - 3pm would be possible.

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INTERESTED IN COMING ALONG ON A VOYAGE?

Our typical voyage is a casual afternoon trip of a few hours, devoted to developing ship handling skills, conducting archeology by experimentation, scouting locations for future filming or other activities, and/or just enjoying the the water, sun, surroundings, wildlife, etc. while getting some great exercise. Those guests physically able to do so are expected to help in rowing and the general operation of the ship as needed. Depending on crew size, the weather, and other conditions, we may go out on the lower Potomac (or Chesapeake or Patuxent - depending where we are docked), or explore some of the nearer and more sheltered estuaries in the area. If you would like to take part in a voyage, we welcome you to come along as a guest -- space and circumstances permitting. Contact us to make arrangements and get the required information.  There is no charge.   However, donations to the organization are most welcome, and enable us to maintain these unique historical and educational resources here in the mid-Atlantic region.

You can join our ListServ which gets information on upcoming Longship Company voyages, other activities and events, discussion of boats, etc., please visit the for information or send an email to mailto:longshipco@hotmail.com



Work Sessions 

Maintaining the ship is critical to the Longship Company, and participating in the work provides as much, or more, historical experience and insight as sailing and rowing on her.

WORK SESSIONS 2023 -- Dates and tasks are tentative depending on the weather. Check for updates on the listserve

December 9 - Haul-out Haul out the ship for the winter. See Voyages above. (Back-up date Dec. 16)

Gyrfalcon Refinishing Sanding and refinishing of the Gyrfalcon was started a couple of years ago. It needs to be completed. Although ideally that would be done in the shelter when the Sae Hrafn is in the water, much of the remaining work could be done in the open, just pulling the boat out in front of the barn. (There is a 10'x10' pop-up canopy frame in the barn, which could be set up in front of the barn with a tarp draped over it for shade and/or protection from rain - with the tarp perhaps extended back to the barn to give full coverage of the boat if need be.) Anyone interested in taking on this as a project, let us know - Two or even three people could comfortably work on the Gyrfalcon at a time, and would be sufficient to man-handle it around as needed

At home work projects We are preparing a list of projects that members can be working on at home. Watch for updates.

June 1 thru November 30 - Hurricane season standby Should there be credible prediction of a hurricane or tropical storm hitting the region, an emergency work party will be scheduled to secure the ship, the shelter, etc. We usually have about a week's warning when forming Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes first become potential threats to the Mid-Atlantic coast, and usually know with some certainty whether they will actually make landfall in this area about three days before they reach here.


Appearances/Demos/Gatherings/Events

November 4 - 5 Some members will be attending Vikingscon and the Gyrfalcon will be there.

November 17 - 19 Fenby Fall session Traditional and modern crafts event at Oakley Farm. It is hoped that there will be enough crew to tend the furnace around the clock so that the experimental iron smelting can take place. This session will continue the used book sale (militaria, history, etc.) There may be a Sae Hrafn voyage on Saturday. Camping available for those so inclined

All dates and details should be confirmed through the LSCo Hotline 301-390-4089 - note, this is a person's house, please don't call before 9:00am Eastern Time or after midnight

Email longshipco AT hotmail.com for more information on all events

 

 

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ListServ Info

If you are interested in joining our ListServ which gets information on upcoming Longship Company events, related events, discussion of boats, etc., please visit the for information or send an email to mailto:longshipco@hotmail.com

 

Longship Company T-Shirts

Are available. $12 for members, $15 for non-members plus postage. Email longshipco@hotmail.com for ordering information.




All activities of the Longship Co., Ltd., including activities involving the Sae Hrafn or the Gyrfalcon, are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  If you have any questions about specific events contact the person(s) listed above, if you have something for the board, the newsletter, or want more info on joining, please contact the board at the company email box LongshipCo@hotmail.com --- or call the Longship Hotline at 301-390-4089 (Maryland, USA) for more information.

VOYAGE REGULATIONS

While serving aboard Longship Company vessels you are expected to obey the following regulations:

1. All crew (LSCo members and guests) and officers are expected to row if physically possible. Guests MAY be excused from this requirement.

2. Personal Flotation Devices (Life Preservers) are stowed under the thwarts. If you can't swim or are a poor swimmer, we strongly recommend that you wear one. If you are a good swimmer, be sure to keep it at hand. If you are below the age of 13, Maryland law requires that you wear one at all times. If conditions warrant it, you will all be ordered to wear them. The Mate will demonstrate how they are worn.

3. Please feel free to ask questions or request help from any officer or crew member.

4. In addition, we request that you report any danger or unusual occurrences that you may observe. We can't see everything all the time.

5. In the event that someone falls overboard, speed is of the utmost importance and their rescue shall take precedence over everything else. Shout "Man Overboard!" as loudly as you can and immediately throw a life vest, life ring, or anything that floats, towards them. Even if they are already wearing a life vest, additional flotation will still be useful. If they sink, it will mark the spot we need to return to. Under no circumstances should anyone else jump overboard, as we do not need to try to rescue two people at the same time. If you fall overboard, don't panic. We will be making maximum, and as speedy as possible, effort to retrieve you. And, in some of the areas where we normally take the ship, the water is less than five feet deep, meaning that a person can stand touching bottom with head above water.

6. We carry ample water aboard. Please avail yourself whenever thirsty, or in hot weather, even before you're thirsty.

7. Please keep one hand for yourself and one for the ship.

8. Ask permission before moving from your station.

9. Please ask permission if you want to use any ship's equipment.

10. Please do not litter. Trash will be stowed in designated places.

11. Never jump into any vessel. They are not built for it.

12. Orders will be given by the officers and will always be clearly indicated. Any sentence beginning with "I wonder what . . . " or "I think we should . . . " is a matter being considered and/or discussed, and NOT an order, so do not jump the gun and start the action before the actual order is given.

13. You are reminded you are on this voyage voluntarily. As such, you are responsible for your own safety. Please act prudently and responsibly in all situations.

14. There will be no smoking on this vessel.

15. The use of alcohol will be strictly controlled*, and at the discretion of the Captain.

16. The possession and use of any drugs not prescribed by your doctor, or any illegal substances, is forbidden. If any violation of this regulation is revealed, the vessel will return directly to port, and the authorities will be notified. The Coast Guard will seize any vessels with drugs aboard, and we wish to avoid that fate.

(*Out on the water in general, and especially on a crew-dependent ship like ours, consumption of alcohol even in moderate amounts can be dangerous. So, while alcohol is not absolutely prohibited in all cases, safety is paramount. When allowed, consumption of alcohol will be limited to amounts that will not affect performance and will not have any possibility of jeopardizing safety.)


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