10/10/2009 - Tenacious

Tenacious is moored up in the Southampton container port, squeezed in between super liners, tankers and freighters. It's dull and drizzly but a good day for everyone to get together and familiarise themselves for the trip to Milford Haven, where she is going for a winter refit before heading off for the sunnier climes of the Mediterranean. Inevitably maintenance is already in full swing with the myriad of jobs that will never all be completed on a working ship. New locks and latches are fitted, rigging is adjusted and Godfrey stitched a fine new leather block sheath while half way up the ratlines. News comes that the dry dock in Milford will not be free until Wednesday and with a poor weather forecast the Captain decides to delay departure to the next day. Phil is running a watch leaders course, just for two this time, and there is plenty of time to go through the theory at a relaxed pace before, hopefully, putting it into practice during the voyage.