We awoke to a flurry of activity as Chris the Mate called everyone first to pack and bring all their luggage to the foredeck for stowage, then ‘happy hour’ when the ship had her final scrub through by the voyage crew of TNS240, and then at long last breakfast was announced and a succession of bacon, sausage and egg butties were claimed by the now very hungry crew. What a way to start the day! And what a way to finish a splendid voyage! As the day continued, we said goodbye to our departing crew and no sooner was this done, than we were greeting the new voyage crew for TNS 241 our scientific voyage!
Once again we are berthed outside the el Muelle de Santa Catalina in Las Palmas, which has proven very handy for those who only wanted to venture a little way tonight. First Captain John Etheridge welcomed everyone and introduced the permanent crew for the voyage namely: Chris the Mate, Jon the 2nd mate, David the Bosun and Kevin the supernumerary officer; Peter the chief engineer with Ben, Graham the Cook with Fiona as his assistant, Rachel the medical purser and a bevy of Bosun’s Mates, namely, Melinda, Adam and Eifion. Having completed the introductions, it then fell to the Mate to brief everyone on safety issues for being alongside tonight, before we were called out on deck for an evening buffet and a chance to get to know each other and then ‘shore leave’ was announced for those who wanted to explore locally, sample something of the local fare and of course, harbour watches began too.