Navigating the high seas

When most people set sail for Catalina, it’s a journey with relaxation in mind.

But when a group of Sea Scouts and instructors shoved off from the docks at the Newport Sea Base on Thursday morning, it wasn’t for a cruising trip.

For the Sea Scouts, who traveled from all across the United States, the trip was part of a five-day advanced leadership course, called SEAL. They will work hard, sacrifice hours of sleep and return with skills they can pass on to their Sea Scout units at home.

“It’s kind of an involved, intense training,” course director Mike Walker said.

During the trip aboard the 58-foot yacht Blacksilver, the students will sail around Catalina Island, with each student taking responsibility for one 24 hour period. During that time, the student is responsible for coordinating everything on board.

But the trip to Catalina isn’t about the sailing ? the focus is on leadership, instructors said.

“Passing the SEAL course opens up a lot of opportunities at the national level,” Walker said.

Captains from the Bob Koll Sailing Foundation ? which donated the use of the boat, Blacksilver ? were on board to handle the boat, so the students could focus on their leadership skills.

The students traveled from Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma to take part in the course.

“They really have to be qualified, they really have to make a commitment to be prepared,” Walker said.

Some of the students applied for the SEAL course because they want to pursue a career working on boats. For others it’s just a fun way to get closer to the water.

Sebastian Jarrett, a 19-year-old from Denver, flew in on Tuesday to take part in the training course.

“I enjoy a challenge, and I also very much enjoy being on the water,” Jarrett said.

Although he doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do, Jarrett said that someday he wants to work with boats.

Sixteen-year-old Monica Traylor said she doesn’t think a future maritime career is in her cards; she could never combine business with pleasure.

“I just love it so much,” said Monica, who lives in Houston.

The Newport Beach-based Bob Koll Sailing Foundation’s mission is to bring sailing to youth and the underprivileged.

“We founded the foundation because we saw a lack of access to boating for youth and other populations,” foundation board member Tim Martin said.

For the Sea Scouts, training on Blacksilver is an opportunity to learn aboard one of the best. This racing yacht was built by world-renowned boat designer Bruce Farr.

“This is our first endeavor in doing this training on such a high performance boat,” said Capt. Dick Cuciti, a Navy veteran who serves as commodore for the Orange County Sea Scouts.dpt.16-water-BPhotoInfo7F1S1HJL20060616j0xbc1ncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Monica Traylor, right, unties a line as she and partner Morgan Miller prepare to embark on trip from Newoprt Sea Base.