Nautilus Institute - Youth/Pegasus Program


	Updated Friday, May 21, 2004

Myrtle L. Atkinson Foundation Awards Pegasus Project $5000

The Myrtle L. Atkinson Foundation awarded Nautilus Institute's the Pegasus Project $5000 for general program support. Funds provided will be applied toward Project Lifeskills. Project Lifeskills strives to help build a strong foundation of life skills for at-risk and disadvantaged youth through series of day sails and overnight voyages aboard a 51' ketch. Partner organizations participating in Project Lifeskills include the Berkeley Boosters and Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.

1000 Oaks Elementary Completes Watershed Voyage

Students from 1000 Oaks Elementary School in Berkeley voyaged onto the East Bay in the last voyage of the Shorebird Nature Center series with the Pegasus Project. This class had already journeyed to the Sierra Mountains to see where the origin of rivers flowing into the Bay-Delta. At Strawberry Creek which runs through 1000 Oaks School they measured the water quality and found it polluted by sewage. So they called in the Mayor and found the sewer leak which was repaired by the City. On Pegasus, they saw where the waters from the high Sierras meet the great tidal Pacific Ocean, completing their watershed curriculum. Hailing from Tonga, Thailand, Taiwan, being African-American, Hispanic, and Caucasian origin, they all spoke the common language of the ancient sea and old salts aboard Pegasus. They heard the birds, the waves and wind, and imagined what the Bay looked like before the Spanish arrived. Back at the dock, Donntay and Cello said that being on the bowsprit was "like a cheesy action movie" (Titanic). Those who got to steer loved driving the Pegasus. Another student learned that the lead keel stops the boat from tipping over when it is heeled by the wind blowing in the sails. Said Sampson: "Sailing on Pegasus was tight." The voyage was helmed by Paul Marbury. Chris Erikson was on foredeck, Jim Gaebe at port winch and Patty Donald on starboard winch. Peter Hayes was at lookout.

Pegasus Sails Six Times as Spring Youth Voyage Schedule Gains Momentum

On April 28 and 29, the Nautilus Institute's vessel, Pegasus, set sail six times with students from the Berkeley Boosters and Shorebird Nature Center. Preparation for the voyages included a land school at Cal Sailing Club for the Nature Center group and a dockside training in conjunction with Berkeley Yacht Club for the Booster's Students. Land school and dockside trainings emphasize boat terminology, safety and navigation. The on the water experience adds an experiential element that emphasizes environmental awareness. Almost 80 students total participated in the San Francisco Bay voyages, all of which were crewed by Pegasus Project volunteers.

Renowned Rigger Trains Pegasus Crew

Master rigger Brion Toss gave a rigging workshop on vessel Pegasus for crew on April 18th followed by a short voyage with Brion aboard. Brion explained that the specific details of any component of the rigging are determined by the overall loading and optimal design for loading the vessel. He suggested that we should "be the boat" and figure out the big picture before tuning any specific item.

Ruch voyagers "Reef the Mizzen" on the Pegasus

The Pegasus encountered choppy seas over the Berkeley flats due to a strong ebb tide colliding with strong northwesterly winds. Heading out toward Angel Island, crew reefed the mizzen and the furling jib. At the debriefing, Ruch voyagers said that riding on the bowpsrit "was a blast" even when soaked by spray and green water over the anchor well from the confused seas. Nicole confessed, "I didn't like being cold; I liked throwing up because it made me feel better." Dustin expressed, "I liked driving. I didn't like the cold. I learned to wear more clothes." While Brandon explained, "What I liked the most was the very tip of the bowsprit. I learned to look at the horizon because it doesn't move."

Pegasus Volunteer Sail Tests Emergency Maneuvering Skills

On Sunday, March 27, Pegasus volunteer crew including Captain Paul Marbury, Mark Caplin, Christine Albertsen, Kris Wolf, Andrew Harkness, and Jim Pascucci sailed in shifting winds and plenty of sunshine. As the vessel headed through Raccoon Straights towards the Golden Gate, Pegasus received an emergency call from a Pegasus Volunteer on his own vessel sailing in the vicinity and reporting an inboard electrical fire. Pegasus crew responded quickly and professionally and were able to assist the endangered vessel, keeping it out of harms way until a towing vessel arrived.

Wells Fargo Foundation Supports Pegasus Youth Voyages

Wells Fargo Foundation awarded the Pegasus Project $1000 for general program support. This support from Wells Fargo will be allocated towards Project Lifeskills spring voyages for at risk youth attending Berkeley Schools. Pegasus Project Lifeskills is operated by the Nautilus Institute in partnership with Berkeley Boosters in the Berkeley Marina. nvironmental awareness and Lifeskills such as teamwork and self esteem are emphasized during dock trainings and sailing voyages on the Pegasus.

Pegasus Crew Chase the Sun on Volunteer Fun Sail

On Sunday, March 21. Pegasus Volunteer Captain Paul Marbury led a crew of volunteers including Mark Caplin, Jim Pascucci and Rachael Blake on a voyage in San Francisco Bay. With shifting winds and patchy fog, the crew chased the sun on a tour around the Bay, while reinforcing crew skills necessary to maintain Pegasus high standard of safety. The Pegasus Project conducts volunteer sails in an effort to reward crew for hours of volunteer time on youth voyages and to introduce new volunteers to the project.

Five Bridges Foundation Awards Pegasus Project $7500

A general program support grant from Five Bridges Foundation will provide opportunity for Bay Area youth to sail with Pegasus during Spring 2004. The Pegasus Project is Nautilus Institute's youth and environment program. The project provides experiential outdoor education for local youth with an emphasis on building lifeskills and environmental awareness. Up to 300 youth passengers will participate in 15 youth voyages scheduled to take place in March, April and May.

Pegasus Sails with East Bay Schools

With sunny skies and steady light winds, Pegasus ventured into the San Francisco Bay with youth from two East Bay Schools to emphasize classroom study of the Bay and its natural and manmade environments. On Wednesday, March 17, Pegasus sailed with 24 students from East Bay Waldorf School. On Friday, March 19, 25 six graders from Berkeley's Willard Millard School joined Pegasus for a slightly windier voyage. Both sails were conducted in partnership with Shorebird Nature Center and the Cal Sailing Club.

Pegasus Sails into Spring with Two Youth Voyages

On March 9 and 10, Pegasus kicked off a busy spring youth sailing season with two voyages. 23 students from a home schooling network and 14 students from Westmore Daly City High School joined Pegasus and partners Shorebird Nature Center and Cal Sailing Club for sails on San Francisco Bay. The voyages emphasized the natural vs. manmade environment, geography of the bay, and confidence building. With fair weather and light winds, smiles were abundant.

Pegasus Sail Prepares Teachers for Youth Voyages

On February 28, Pegasus sailed with thirteen passengers including teachers from Bay Area Schools and docents from Berkeley's Shorebird Nature Center. This orientation sail was designed to prepare teachers for upcoming field trips with their classrooms. These youth voyages, in partnership with Shorebird Nature Center and Cal Sailing Club, teach bay area discovery, navigation and landmarks, basic sailing theory and practice, and environmental awareness, with emphasis on areas that the students have been studying in class.

Pegasus Crew Meet in Preparation for Spring Youth Sailing Program

On February 5, eighteen volunteer captains and crew for the Pegasus Project convened for a project planning meeting. Goals set for Spring 2004 include an emphasis on training new crew and captains and fulfilling as many as 16 youth sails. Project Partners that will sail with Pegasus this spring include Shorebird Nature Center, the Berkeley Boosters and Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. To view the Pegasus Project calendar click here.

Pegasus Undergoes Yearly Maintenance and Repair

The Berkeley Marine Center has been home to Nautilus Institute's Pegasus vessel, as she undergoes yearly maintenance and repair. Pegasus is a 51 Alden Ketch sailboat that Nautilus uses as a tool to teach Lifeskills and sustainable practices to Bay Area youth and youth at risk. To provide the safest on-the-water experience possible for youth, shipwrights, welders, and mechanics have been working aboard Pegasus to repair worn areas, tune the engine, and refinish the bottom. Pegasus will be back in the water in time for the February 28 Shorebird Nature Center teacher training sail.