Colleges / Campus scene : OCC Seeks Sailors for Training Cruise

Orange Coast College is looking for a few hearty sailors.

Alaska Eagle, OCC’s 65-foot sloop, will soon embark on its 14th sail training cruise and is now accepting applications from sailors of all levels who would like to see the South Seas and perfect their skills.

When it leaves Newport Harbor on May 4, Alaska Eagle will head for New Zealand and make stops in the Marquesas, the Tuamotus and Tahiti, the Cook Atolls, Tonga and Fiji.

Though Alaska Eagle will be at sea for eight months, interested sailors may join the crew for cruises ranging from 12 to 24 days at one of its 10 stops.

Crew members will participate in all aspects of sailing and navigating the ship, including watch standing, steering, sail handling, maintenance and galley duty.

The primary goal of most of the sailors, according to OCC Sailing Center Director Brad Avery, is to develop sailing and navigation skills.

“Applicants are not required to be great sailors,” Avery said. “What is needed is an interest in sailing, which is usually reflected by recent sailing experiences.”