Islander Fall 2024 Newsletter
Will you help forward the Islander’s Mission, since 1930, to develop the scouting principles of citizenship, leadership and character in a nautical atmosphere?
When last we published our newsletter in November 2023, the Manta had recently been resurveyed and found fit for duty. Repairs had been made to the framing in the lazarette, the insurance was renewed, and the boat saw several trips to Emerald Bay and one trip to the Southwestern Sea Scout Rendezvous in San Pedro. It was also decided that the time had come to outline a plan for a major refurbishment of the Manta. This refurbishment will include a new bottom, safety equipment, and inspection to carry passengers for hire; the total cost and fundraising goal is $500,000 and the project has four parts:
- Repair of the lazarette framing to get a clean bill of health to get the boat running again DONE!
- Raise 20% of the total amount to act as “seed money” for grants and contributions from charitable organizations (remember EMILY—Early Money Is Like Yeast). At the same time, apply to have the Manta listed on the National Register of Historic Places through the California Office of Historic Preservation.
- Apply to such organizations as the American Legion and the National Park Service’s Save Our History program, as well as private donors for grants to raise the balance of the funds.
- Once the balance has been accumulated, take the boat to Koehler Kraft in San Diego for the bottom replacement, then back to Marina del Rey for final work leading to a Certificate of Inspection by the Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire. The idea is to be able to carry Scout troops to Emerald Bay for a fee, helping to offset some of the Manta’s operations and maintenance expenses.
We are well under way to having our first 20% of the needed funds, thanks to donations from the Astor Street Foundation, former Islander Jim Crossland, American Legion Post 283 in Pacific Palisades, and the sale of several donated cars and boats. We are very fortunate to have the Manta up and running again, as it’s much easier to ask people and organizations to donate to a boat that’s functional and not rotting away at the dock! So, if you would like to help with the Manta’s restoration—either by donating a car, boat, RV, cash, or by letting others know what we’re doing, let Skipper Paul Renner know by giving him a call (310) 781-0592 or sending him an email (ecvwarhorse@hotmail.com). The Islander Sea Scout Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization allowing for tax deductible donations. Check with your tax advisor.
Let’s get the Manta ready for many more decades of serving Scouts!
AMR is held every year over Memorial Day Weekend at California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California. It is a demanding competition that tests both the mental and the physical. There were 15 Sea Scout Ships and 300 crew members from California, Oregon, and Hawai’i that competed in this event. We are proud to say that led by Boatswain Julian Grosky, the Islander was one of the Ships that achieved Clipper, the highest award.
In addition, the Islander bagged an even bigger prize: The Pulling Boat Trophy for first place! For this event, the crews row a 26 foot pulling boat (also known as a whale boat). The recipient of this trophy must row a course of over 300 meters for the fastest time. The ships with the top 3 qualifying times then hold a match race to determine overall champion. The Islander prevailed in an extremely close finish. What makes this especially noteworthy is that in the 70 years of this competition, the Islander was only the second crew ever from Southern California to win this event!
We have a new boat in our fleet!
The Harmony is a 38 foot Sea Ray that was donated by Bryan Biniak & Song Oh. Their son, Kai, earned the rank of Quartermaster with the Islander and is now a student at the University of Hawai’i. Kai piloted the Harmony to Emerald Bay on Catalina Island for his Quartermaster cruise. The Harmony has now become the flagship for our girls’ unit, the Black Pearl, replacing the Mischief. We cannot thank the Biniak family enough for their incredible generosity.
Celebrating Our Generous Donors
Islander Sea Scout Foundation receives no financial help from Scouting America for our program expenses. We receive some funding from the American Legion, and from donated cars, boats and RV’s, but the majority of support comes from alumni and friends like you.
Our goal for 2025 is $58,000 for program expenses, separate from our major capital project for the Manta’s restoration. We gratefully accept donations by Zelle, PayPal, Venmo or check.
Thank you to our kind donors in 2024.
COMMODORE ($5,000 + )
Nic Adamson
Paul Renner
SKIPPER ($2,000 – $4,999)
Dean & Diana Ellis
Jennifer Turkat
Astor Street Foundation
BOATSWAIN ($1,000 to $1,999)
John Meyers
Analee Kennedy
Jaxon Bidinger
Bruce & Corinne Mitchell
CREW LEADER ($500 TO $999)
John Wilson
Brad Rothenberg
Brian Whitney
Elliot Moses
George Froley
HELMSMAN ($250 to $499)
Alex Lencioni
Andy Barash
Dave Christianson
Jeff Kirby
John George
Nitzi Barker
Sean & Kim Wells
YEOMAN ($100 to $249)
Blake Whitney
Char Seferian
Donald O’Campo
James Martinez
Jerry Mann
John Stieger
Justin Stumpf
Lori & Mike Sanford
Phil & Marjorie Ziegler
Rich Wise
Tim Connacher
Victoria Orphan
PURSER (<=$50)
Brian & Judy Pierce
Neal Pardee
BOAT DONATIONS
Bryan Biniak & Song Oh
38′ Sea Ray
Chuck & Jeanene Cutforth
23′ Cobalt
John Matise
26′ Carlson-Matise
John Wilson
16′ Crestline
Summer Long Cruise
One of the many highlights of the past year was the Islander’s Long Cruise on the Manta last July. The Islander gang was asked by Troop 2 of Santa Monica to act as an escort for the Troop as it made its ‘Round-the-Island Canoe Trip. The adventure started on Friday 19 July 2024 as the members of Troop 2 made their way to Camp Emerald Bay—some on the Manta (which also took most of the Troop’s gear), and some on Catalina Express. Once at camp, the Troop 2 guys canoed over to Parson’s Beach while the Manta took the camp mooring and enjoyed a restful afternoon.
Bright and early on Saturday the Manta got under way and headed to Parson’s where Troop 2 was busy launching the canoes and making ready to head to Ben Weston Beach by way of the West End. The Islander guys enjoyed the slow but relaxing trip past Starlight Beach, Eagle Rock, Cat Harbor and Little Harbor before standing off Ben Weston Beach while the Troop landed for the night.
The Manta then backtracked to Cat Harbor where the Islander guys tied her up to a mooring and headed ashore to enjoy the nightlife at Two Harbors (such as it is). During the night, however, a swell came up from the south, and although the Manta had no trouble negotiating it, the Troop 2 canoes at Ben Weston faced the difficult task of launching into high surf. In fact, three of the five canoes were unable to get off the beach. It was here that the Manta and her crew jumped into action, as the decision was made to evacuate the Scouts off the beach and onto the Manta for the trip to the next destination, Avalon. The Islander guys, using paddle boards and the Manta’s dinghy, formed a swim line that allowed the Scouts to leave the beach and make it safely to the Manta.
Some of the Scouts were chilled by the time they got to the boat, but here again the Manta crew was ready with blankets and sleeping bags to warm up their guests.
Once everyone was safely on board, the Manta headed for Avalon, where the Troop 2 folks disembarked for a night of camping, and the Islander guys, after taking a mooring, headed into town for “shore leave.” The next morning, Monday, Troop 2 re-boarded the Manta for the trip back to Emerald Bay. A great trip for the Manta and her crew, and quite an adventure for Troop 2!
June Bridge of Honor
On June 11, 2024, the Bridge of Honor awards ceremony was held at Burton Chace Park for both Ship 16, Islander and Ship 25, Black Pearl. At the ceremony, awards were presented to members of both Ships who received Apprentice, Ordinary and Able ranks. The Black Pearl, in existence for only 8 months, had 10 of the 12 crew members earn Apprentice, the first rank in Sea Scouting. Islander crew members also received Apprentice, as well as the Ordinary rank. Trent Ulloa and Preston Halbert received the Able rank—the last rank before Quartermaster. No sooner had these two Islanders received their ranks than they started working for Quartermaster. The Bridge of Honor also saw the Ship’s new officers installed, and Skipper Paul Renner congratulated the Islander crew on winning the Clipper award at Ancient Mariner a few weeks previous, as well as the coveted Pulling Boat race trophy. Refreshments, provided by parents of both ships, followed the ceremony.
Long Beach Invitational Regatta
The Islander took part in a just-for-fun one-day competition known as the Long Beach Invitational Regatta down at the Long Beach Sea Scout Base. Battling the cold and rain, the guys participated in variations on traditional Sea Scout events, including build-your-boat, quiz, and a mariner’s scavenger hunt. In spite of the inclement weather, the Islander won first place!
As per tradition, the Islander Mates provided a Bar-B-Q burger lunch, and of course no one went hungry.
The Long Beach Invitational Regatta saw Ships from as far south as Dana Point attend, but no one else came close to that Islander style! 😎
Off-Road Trip
The 2024 Islander Overland Trip took place over President’s weekend. The Ship camped at Jawbone Canyon, about 15 miles east of the town of Mojave. On Saturday, the guys travelled by four-wheel drive vehicle to the Dutch Cleanser Mine, down Bonanza Gulch to Bickel Camp, then up to Burro Schmidt’s Tunnel. The final stop was the “living ghost town” of Randsburg, where the guys enjoyed lime phosphates and milk shakes at the Randsburg General Store. Then it was back into the Jeeps, trucks, and other 4×4’s for the trip back to camp. Sunday saw the guys shooting rifles, pistols, and shotguns at a very well-regulated range supervised by our NRA certified Range Safety Officer, Donny Ocampo. Even some historic firearms were used, including an M-1 Garand, an 1876 Winchester, and an M-1 carbine. The latter and former firearms dated to World War II. This trip has become a favorite among the Islander lads.
Islander's Newest Quartermaster
The Islander proudly welcomes Alex Johnson as its newest Quartermaster, the highest rank in Sea Scouts. Alex has achieved the remarkable and rare honor of being both a Quartermaster and an Eagle Scout.
Despite its national rarity, Islander boasts numerous individuals with this dual distinction.
Holiday Boat Parade
On Saturday, 12 December 2023, the Islander took part in the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade. For several years now, the Ship has assisted in this event by acting as a “stake boat” on the north end of the parade route. The crew decorates the Manta in the Christmas spirit, then anchors in the channel between the California and Del Rey Yacht Clubs. Parade participants then turn their boats in front of the Manta and continue on the parade route, heading toward the south stake boat. The south stake boat was the Mischief, crewed by our sister ship, the Black Pearl. Islander guys got to drink hot chocolate, watch the parade, and fend off the occasional boat skippered by someone who had a little too much “Holiday Cheer” that got too close to the Manta. The crew also used one of the small power boats to act as a shuttle to bring guests to and from the Manta. Crew members enjoyed the opening fireworks as well as the many beautifully decorated boats.
We will work as the stake boat again this year on 14 December 2024 and we will have some viewing space available for guests. Contact Paul Renner if you would like to join us watching this year’s parade from the deck of the Manta.
Pulling Boat
As part of the Sea Scout program, crew members learn how to do maintenance work. Wood boats are particularly “needy” when it comes to maintenance. In February, we hauled our pulling boat out at The Boat Yard in Marina del Rey, as it was looking a little shabby and had sprung a leak. Over the course of a week, our crew sanded, patched and painted the pulling boat, getting it ready for AMR training. After spending a week out of the water, the planks shrunk a bit, and the boat took water for about 24 hours after being relaunched. However, the planks soon swelled, and we haven’t had any leaks in the intervening months.
Practicing with our pulling boat led our crew winning the Pulling Boat Race Trophy at the 2024 Ancient Mariner Regatta—only the second Southern California Ship to do so in years uncounted. Many thanks to Greg Shem and Victor at The Boat Yard for their support of Ship 16 in hauling the Manta, the pulling boat, and our other small boats.
2024 has been an extraordinary year for both the Islander and Black Pearl. We are profoundly grateful for your unwavering support. On behalf of the Officers and crew of the Islander, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Joyous Holiday Season. 🎄🕎❄️