0516: Jon

0536: Michael

0616: Jose

0636: Matt

0716: Alanna

0736: Tyron

0816: Alex

0836: Tajanae

0500 hours

Ending Position: Docked at Seaboard Marina in Glastonbury, CT.
Latitude: 41˚ 38.9'
Longitude: 072˚ 37.3'

Day Seven and the conclusion of the 2009 Fresh River Voyage of Discovery.

For some of the crew, the final day of our voyage begins at the very crack of dawn.

Joe Furey, of Fox 61 News, is conducting phone interviews with eight of our students during this morning's drive-time weather segments.

Were you watching the interviews on TV this morning, you'd have seen some of the photos to the left flashed on screen. (All portraits by Woody Woodworth.)

0630 hours

Photos by Woody Woodworth

Meanwhile, here's what the situation really looks like. Not too different! We pick up with Matt delivering his weather report after Jon, Michael, and Jose have had their moments in the spotlight.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

0715 hours

Over the course of the morning, each student in turn has a one-minute interview and delivers the current air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

0730 hours

This is actual field research, of course. Before their interview, each student meets with Captain Reynolds to personally collect the data they'll need.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

0800 hours

As we near the end of the interview roster, the rest of the crew has risen and is busy rummaging their gear.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

0815 hours

Tajanae prepares the final weather report of the morning. All signs indicate that we'll have overcast skies but overwise mild weather to see us in to East Hartford.

While Tajanae speaks to Joe Furey over the phone, the rest of the crew tries to keep quiet while they munch on their cereal, fruit salad, and French toast sticks.

0900 hours

After breakfast, we turn to ship's business. The students have now delivered their presentations and, furthermore, performed all duties required to be inducted as official Half Moon crew members.

As Captain Reynolds awards the students with their exclusive crew shirts, it's a fitting start to the celebrations which will carry us through the day.

Visit the Crew page to see each student receive their official shirt!

0915 hours

After the ceremony, we start to prepare for our departure. Students ascend the rig to unfurl the sails, while several dignitaries come on board to join us for the journey's end. These special guests include Goodwin College President Mark Scheinberg, Goodwin staffers Todd Andrews and Lisa Martin, and Half Moon regional liaison Jennifer Reilly, who has also brought her much-adored children for the trip.

1015 hours

As we cast off our lines, Jon and Mr. Woodworth prepare the starboard falconet for a farewell salute.

Mouse over to give fire!

We fire the salute as we pull away from Seaboard Marina. We look forward to seeing them again the next time we visit the river!

As the Half Moon heads upriver for a scheduled 1300 hours arrival at Goodwin College, our special guests mingle with our exuberant crew.

Here, Alanna, Nadia, and Loren chat about their experiences with Lisa Martin, Goodwin's Executive Assistant for Human Resources.

1100 hours

While the ship placidly travels north, we can take a moment to finally show you the crack team working behind the scenes to prepare these logs.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

1115 hours

Goodwin College has arranged for aerial photography of our arrival, so the ship needs to look its best -- from every angle.

On the fore deck, Mr. Van Grondelle reviews lines with the fore mast team.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

1215 hours

The rig teams have now secured decorative wemples (better known simply as banners) to the top yards.

We dispatch Mr. Woodworth to the Zodiac once more to help guide the ship onto the dock (not to mention getting our very modern inflatable tender out of sight of the camera).

Photo by Woody Woodworth

Moments later, the Half Moon rounds the bend and the Riverside Campus of Goodwin College comes into view.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

1230 hours

The Mystique, a local cruise ship operating out of Hartford, comes out to greet us on its lunchtime cruise as we close in on Goodwin.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

1245 hours

Before we make our final approach to the pier, we parade past the Riverside Campus building, newly built on a beautifully reclaimed industrial site.

1300 hours

The time has come! The crew buzzes with excitment as we steer back toward the Goodwin pier.

As we close in, DeNiro steps in as Assistant Gunner for the first of several swivel gun salute we'll fire to the waiting crowd.

Mouse over to salute the crowd!
(Photo by Woody Woodworth)

Give fire!

Mouse over to give fire!

We quickly move to fire our second salute, this time with Michael manning the linstock.

Mouse over to see that again! (Photo by Woody Woodworth)

It isn't often that we have multiple camera angle to choose from, so let's take another look at that salute!

The packed crowd of family members and well-wishers cheers us on as we maneuver into position.

Mouse over for the big picture.

1315 hours

Several of our student crew members have been assigned to the rig, just for visual splendor. Like Loren, they have an excellent view of the ship and the crowd as we toss our mooring lines over to our waiting dockside supporters on shore.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

Indeed, the rig teams have the best seats in the house!

Mouse over to give fire!

1330 hours

Once the ship is securely docked, Ms. Crone and Mr. Andrews get to fire one final salute, marking the successful completion of this year's Fresh River Voyage of Discovery.

Photo by Woody Woodworth

Final Position: Docked at Goodwin College Riverside Campus in East Hartford, CT.
Latitude: 41˚ 44.6' N
Longitude: 072˚ 38.7' W

With the ship secure, we turn our attention to the pier.

On the lower dock, an audience of Voyage of Discovery alumni, Goodwin staff, and Half Moon shore supporters are in position to handle our lines and welcome our new crew members.

Without delay, we set up a gangplank and start transferring crew members from ship to shore.

1345 hours

The students find the local press waiting for them, and are perfectly happy to provide interviews.

Mouse over to feel the beat.

Meanwhile, Goodwin College has provided shoreside entertainment for the waiting crowd.

1400 hours

As we settle in for the arrival ceremony, the proud principal of Two Rivers Magnet School takes a moment to shine with her students.

Crew and crowd alike gather around the podium.

College President Mark Scheinberg is first to speak, congratulating the students for their many accomplishments and warmly welcoming the Half Moon back to East Hartford.

President Scheinberg is followed by Captain Reynolds, who adds to the students' deserved praise and thanks Goodwin College and Pratt & Whitney for giving us the opportunity to continue the Half Moon's Fresh River voyages.

After the speeches, Captain Reynolds proudly issues certificates of accomplishment to each student in turn.

The ceremony concludes with final words from student crew members Alex and Loren, who were elected to the role by their peers.

1415 hours

After the ceremony, the students are free to mingle with the crowd, to provide interviews to the press...

...and to be reunited with their proud families.

Thus concludes the 2009 Half Moon/Goodwin College Fresh River Voyage of Discovery. (Apologies to DeNiro and several of the senior crew; in all of the excitement we forgot to take our crew photo until the very end of the day, after their departure.) From here, the students will return to their homes and the Half Moon will provide a week of Dockside Discoveries at the Goodwin College Riverside Campus.

Thanks go to Goodwin College and Pratt & Whitney, and a hearty congratulations to our entire crew!