Once again the day has opened to glorious sunshine, so I think we are finally getting a bit of the heat wave we've been hearing about at home. Blue skies, blue seas, long sunny evenings and a fantastic welcome from Poland. Not a bad way for the voyage crew of LN 724 to sign off, with the crew parade and party! Of course the Lord Nelson has been host to many visitors keen to have a look around the ship over the past few days too.
Once the new crew had arrived, signed on, found their cabins and their watch leaders and 'buddies'; the Captain then invited everyone to meet her in the lower mess for the introductions. The permanent crew for this voyage were introduced as: Captain Clare, Steve the first mate, John the 2nd mate, Marcin the Bosun then, Steve the chief engineer with Mr Chipps as 2nd Engineer; Gerry the cook with his assistant Pat: Rachel, medical purser and Bosun's mates Joyce and Alice.
Captain Clare then outlined the plans for the voyage ahead- well ‘Plan A' that is! Of course being the start of the Tall Ships race 2009 we're all raring to get going but word is that we'll be off the berth tomorrow morning for parade of sail (or motor!) before getting into position for the start of the race. Our destination is St.Petersburg, Russia. Cross everything including your eyes, for the winds to be favorable!
As you can imagine, the afternoon has been hectic getting the ship ready and making sure our new voyage crew have been trained and briefed. First of all came the briefings then after a swift 'Smoko' with very welcome slices of water melon, the first of the evacuation drills ensuring that everyone knew how to find their muster stations safely and don their life jackets. Then there was the first opportunity for climbing the rigging, before dinner was announced.
Rachel
MP LN