Jason Bland's Page

When did you sail aboard Tabor Boy?

Spring '87-'90

How many years did you sail aboard Tabor Boy?

4

Were you a member of the Schooner Crew?

Yes

Were you an Officer?

Yes

If yes, please provide position (s) and years(s)

'88-Summer Cook/Deck Hand
'89 Mate
'90 XO

Did you make any extended voyages? (i.e. Caribbean, Bermuda, etc.)

Caribbean, Bermuda, Maine, Other

If "Other", please advise.

Charleston x3 - Got to love Cape Hatteras in November

Did you participate in "Orientation at Sea" program for new students?

Yes

Tabor graduation year:

1990

College attended and year graduated:

United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, 1995-Deck&Engine(Daua)

Do you currently work in the maritime field?

Yes

Current Occupation:

Marine Superintendent - Chevron Shipping- NWSSSC Joint Venture

Website:

http://www.nwsssc.com

Blog

http://www.chevron.com

Last time you sailed on Tabor Boy?

August 2009

Do you own currently own a boat?

No, but in the market for a Hinckley B-40 Yawl Mk III

Favorite Tabor Boy moment

So many great times over the years with Capt Geil and other various crews members, too numerous to list, but a few-Alex Larsen, Cyril O'Neil, Kris Meyers, Rob Sumner, Conrad Roy, Tom Ashton, Andrew Major, Matt Phelan, John Phelan, Matt Gordon, Ty Pennypacker, Hunt Latham, Ryan England, Ben Hempel, Jeff Fosdick, Rob Aspenwall, Bungee, and many more during my time on the Schooner and after college.

Summers on the Maine Coast are among my favorite, but those cold nights heading out of Buzzards Bay in November during a near gale for Charleston, on a beam reach via Quicks Hole are memorable. I cannot think of a better ship handler than Capt. Geil, considering my commercial time at sea on Product, VLCC Crude, Container, RoRo and LNG Carriers. While those types of vessels require their own specialized skills, Capt can handle the TB like no other!

In the worst of times offshore, considering my 10,000+ NM on TB, I only saw the best behaviors displayed by students and TB crew despite some deplorable conditions, all a part of the transition from boys to men and a real character building experience that is very different from the sports field when you think of true leadership and decision making skills.

In the late 80's I have to say have to say Cap worked the hell out of us and drove the Schooner very hard, with ultimate confidence in his crew's ability to execute commands in an expedient manor with professionalism and skill. A number of times rounding-up in a tight Maine anchorage, I knew if I buggered it, there was a potential for a significant incident. Amazing responsibility, but we never failed him!

Memorable Experiences-
- PT-109 raids on the TB in Marion with Bunker Hill (loved the 6' rooster tail with the helm over and the throttle down!) at high speed with various rotten victuals, and being pulled over by the Harbor Master for a good cussing out, the following day promptly being marched over by Cap to make appropriate apologizes.
-Waking Tom Ashton’89 up for morning stars an hour after he got off the 2000-2400 watch, Tom then spending the next hour working out all of his stars, oblivious of the actual time, and then walking out of the deck house, sextant in hand, proclaiming “boy it sure is dark out” only when our entire watch just about pissed themselves did he realize the actual time.
The following day my sea boots were epoxy’ed to the fore mast and all of my underwear was hanging from the reef points on the Mainsail, payback is a bitch!
- Taking a following sea via the deck house companion way, and a water fall into the main salon
-Sailing offshore – what an amazing vessel.
-Charleston and Bermuda November Departures-cold, dark, blowing like stink.
-Kelly's Shipyard - winters freezing, chipping rust and a hole in the side of the schooner you could drive a car through.
-Departing Marion for Charleston '88 at midnight, kicking off carpenters, and not being able to see departing Sippican due to all the sawdust being blowing around on deck - Just in time delivery concept!
-Summer '95 with Cap, Alex and Matt in Maine
-Winter '96 with Cyril and Cap in the Islands.
-Cap breaking two of my ribs with a cheap shot to the ribs (after I graduated)
-Cap taking the full brunt of high-pressure sewage in the face while jammed between the fore mast and a bulkhead during a holding tank repair late at night in the steamy hot Caribbean.
-Cap taking out a 30' lamp post at the USCG Academy with the bow sprit. Cap was mortified, but when the Sailing Master came down, he said " Don't worry, I am glad someone finally took it out. You see, the pier used to be lined with them, and the Eagle started by taking out the first one at the head, and the Tabor Boy just took out the last one"
-Bumpson, Cap, Cocie and Cyril - Monhegan.......
-Camden-Knob Creek............oh my head.......

Past XO's Ben Hempel and John Phelan also work at the same company as me, Chevron Shipping in the fleet, I am ashore now, small world!