Tom Hartman, Corey Kemp, Jonathan Harada and Mike Stewart
Hold the Koch Cup.

Welcome Reception for New Sea Base Director George Wood
The new Newport Sea Base Director, George Wood, began his duties on February 1, and was welcomed at a reception on February 7.

During the Welcome Reception, the Koch Cup trophy was on display with the 2006 Koch Cup Champions, Sea Scouts Corey Kemp and Jonathan Harada. Corey, 19, is from Westminster and Jonathan, 18, hails from Fountain Valley.

Sea Scouts Kemp and Harada, of Ship 711, the Del Mar Ship from Newport Beach, won the trophy in July of 2006. Defending champion Corey Kemp, (skipper) and Jonathan Harada (crew) held off a strong challenge from a determined New Zealand team to keep the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup.

More than 60 Scouts from around the world competed in the six day sailing regatta held at the Coral Reef Yacht Club on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. Wind conditions ranged from six to seven knots at the start of the regatta to a strong 15 to 20 knots on the final day.

Scouts from across the United States and as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Norway, competed in a series of match races for the rights to have their name etched on a silver trophy that resides in the Boy Scout Museum in Irving, Texas. Other than to the actual race, this is the first time the trophy has traveled. The trophy will be on display at the Newport Sea Base during February.

The event is held every two years and is open to young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21 who actively belong to a Sea Scout Ship. Founded 1912, the Sea Scouts are a division of International Scouting that is designed to teach young men and women leadership skills through seamanship.

For more information, visit www.newportseabase.org

New Summer Program Schedule Available
The Newport Sea Base announces that the 2007 Schedule of Programs for Summer Classes has been published. Those interested in receiving this publication, can contact the Newport Sea Base at 949-642-5031.

Newport Sea Base to Sell Tall Ship Argus
The Newport Sea Base has inked a deal with the non-profit corporation, The Argus Foundation, for the purchase of the tall ship Argus.

Argus will be leaving the Newport Sea Base on Tuesday, February 27, at 11 am, with the help of a tug boat, for her new home and the site of her restoration in Wilmington, CA. An official send-off is being planned.

The Newport Sea Base staff and the Friends of Argus committee spent the last year exploring options to replace or rebuild Argus, following a voluntary US Coast Guard inspection that showed Argus was in need of over $1.5 million in repairs to continue use as a passenger vessel. In an effort to move toward a solution, Argus was even placed on eBay was suggested.

Scout Executive Les Baron said, “Through much research and soul searching, it has been determined that rebuilding Argus, at the cost of over $1 million, was not within the means of the Orange County Council. We are thrilled that Ralph Whitford and the Argus Foundation will work to restore Argus, so that the youth of our area will have access to this great program in the future.”

Argus, built in Marstal Denmark in 1905 as a lumber and cement hauling ship, was originally built without auxiliary power and handled by a crew of three. She also hauled grain and other goods to Greenland, saltfish to Spain and plied the spice trade as well.

Argus was purchased by the Council in 1972 and has been a sail training ship teaching youth the ways of tall ships ever since. Argus gained national attention in 2004, when a troop of Boy Scouts rescued a diver left at sea.

Give the Gift of Sailing
Give a little adventure this year with a gift certificate from the Newport Sea Base. With over 20 different classes to choose from, the Newport Sea Base makes it easy to share the joy of wind and water. Please call 949-642-5031 and purchase your gift certificate today. You can view our current class offerings at www.newportseabase.org.