The SSV TOLE MOUR TAKING STUDENTS TO SEA TO BUILD CHARACTER AND MINDS.
To Whom It May Concern: The SSV Tole Mour is a three masted square topsail schooner that is operated by the non profit company Guided Discoveries, Inc. We offer sail training, marine science education, and profound life experiences to students from all over the world. We have been able to serve 1700 students and their chaperones per year and we enjoy an astounding return rate. We expect this number to increase as we work to reach our fullest potential. While on board the cadets are exposed to sail training and natural sciences in a unique hands on way. All the while, they are guided safely by our well qualified crew. There are no passengers while the SSV Tole Mour is at sea. Due to our Sailing School designation by the Coast Guard, all persons aboard are considered crew. Right from the start our professional crew teaches the cadets how to safely handle lines and understand what it takes to maneuver the ship. Throughout their expedition they become familiar with the inner workings of our vessel and help to operate her while she is underway. Teamwork is central to our program, and all trainees embrace their new roles as shipmates as soon as they step aboard. They quickly learn that it takes all hands to safely operate our ship. In addition to teaching our cadets how to be effective crew members, we also teach many foci from the field of marine biology. Because of our unique setting, we are much more than just a classroom. After we teach about animals and algae in the ocean, we guide our cadets while snorkeling so they can see all these things for themselves in their natural habitat. We also introduce our students to the fields of oceanography and meteorology. The amazing part of our program is that we can then show how these fields directly affect us on the ship. All this could not be done without our relentless attention to safety. All of our college educated instructors are 1st Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard trained by the Red Cross. In addition some of our crew are also Wilderness First Responders (WFRs). Our Coast Guard licensed Captain and his officers frequently drill and oversee the entire ship's complement on ship board emergencies. We have also performed training exercises with Bay Watch Isthmus and Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach to further improve our emergency response. We have been very progressive in our safety standards for students while climbing aloft, pioneering the "prussic" system, used in rock climbing, so that our cadets can challenge their fears while being completely safe. On top of all this we have a 3 to 1 cadet to staff ratio further ensuring that while students push their boundaries they are fully covered. Of course one of the draws of our program is where we sail. We have, in our 7 years of operation, been able to sail to every channel island and even as far out as Cortez Banks (100 nautical miles off of San Diego). It's amazing that in Southern California you can find such pristine marine preserves just 26 miles from a sprawling metropolis. Because of its low annual rain fall and lack of human development the waters offshore of the Southern California bight are typically a clear blue that is breathtaking. All of these things together make an expedition on the SSV Tole Mour an experience of a lifetime. We know you will agree with us and so we would like you or one of your staff to ship aboard with us for a complimentary weekend expedition to Catalina Island. While aboard we will play, learn and come to an understanding of what it means to be all in the same boat. Sincerely, Mark Waddington Director CIMI Tall Ship Expeditions
TOLE MOUR TEACHERS TRIP (TMTT) Saturday May 8 th to Sunday May 9 th Saturday 7:00-8:00am - Arrive and Load the SSV Tole Mour 8:30 Introductions, Safety talk 9:00 - Depart for Catalina Line Handling Setting sail Deck Tours 12:00 - Lunch Lessons under sail Plankton Research, Marlinspike Seamanship, Bow Sprit. Strike sail Anchor Climbing aloft 6:00 - Dinner 730-930 - Evening Program Sunday 6:30 Polar Bear 7:00 Breakfast 9:00 Snorkeling 11:00 Up Anchor Set Sail 12:00 Lunch Teacher s syllabus review - What classes we offer. Discussion - Scheduling, Preparing, Motivating for a CIMI Tall Ship Expedition. Sail Appreciation 4:00-4:30 Dockside in Long Beach Good byes and unload.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Email: kbarber@guideddiscovedries.org with the following information about the person coming on the trip. Make sure to put TMTT in the subject line. Please be certain that you receive a confirmation email from Kris Barber to assure we have included you on our list. (30 people max so hurry!) Name Height (We provide everything for this trip including wetsuits) Weight (We need this information for said wetsuits) Special Dietary Needs Medical Conditions Allergies Emergency Contact Information Daytime telephone number and when the best time to call is. Night time telephone number and when the best time to call is. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU: Please arrive on time. Loading and unloading will be at the Pine Ave. Circle. Free parking will be between the Aquarium and the Long Beach Catalina Express Landing. See Map This trip will be fairly active so be prepared to: Haul on lines in order to set sail Climb 70 ft straight up our mast (only if you want to) Wriggle into a wetsuit. Snorkel Eat lots of good food. Help your watch group with galley clean up for at least one meal. Help your watch group with cleaning up your dorm room before you leave. WHAT TO BRING: One modest bag should hold all the following: Towel Rain Jacket Sun Glasses 2 t-shirts 1 pair of shorts Sandals with a heel strap or sneakers 1 pair of rugged pants Toiletries for one night Sunscreen, Hat Bathing suit Camera
Sweat shirt Also bring a sleeping bag and a pillow. Money is not needed except to purchase SSV Tole Mour hooded sweatshirts, ball caps, beanies, postcards, and mugs. We are located at Dock # 6 in Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach. From the south get on 405 north. Then the 710 south till it ends and becomes Shoreline Drive. Do not go to the Queen Mary. Follow highway signs to the Aquarium. Turn right on Pine Ave. Unload here at the Pine Ave Circle. Come down to the boat (Dock 6), drop your stuff, and get directions to parking. From the north get on the 405 south. Then the 710 south until it ends and becomes Shoreline Drive. Do not go to the Queen Mary. Follow highway signs to the Aquarium. Turn right on Pine Ave. Unload here at the Pine Ave. Come down to the boat (Dock 6), drop your stuff, and get directions to parking. Any Problems call 310-508-0748 or 310-508-0952 ask for Kris or Mark
710 Parking LONG BEACH Un/loading Tole Mour Queen Mary