Thanks to all the volunteers who came up to Aberdeen to help us with the ship’s maintenance – it’s always good to see old friends and make new ones...and some are staying on board to enjoy the next voyage too!
Once the new crew had arrived, signed on, found their cabins and seen their loved ones back onto dry land; the Captain then invited everyone to meet him in the lower mess for the introductions to begin. The permanent crew for this voyage were introduced as: Captain John, Chris the first mate, John the 2nd mate, John the Bosun, (any problems just shout ‘John!’) then, Marco the chief engineer with Mr Chipps as 2nd engineer and Phil the engineers assistant; Dave the Cook and his assistant for the voyage Joyce; Rachel, medical purser and Bosun’s mates Phil and Daragh and it is hoped that Lindsay will be joining us in due course.
Captain John outlined his plans for the voyage ahead: to go to anchor tonight, hopefully leaving the berth before the sea fog returns then to weigh anchor early tomorrow, to set out to sea. Our destination is Gdynia in Poland for the start of the tall ships 2009 race and it is hoped we will take the route through the Kiel Canal in Germany. Then onto the Island of Bornholm off Sweden (although it belongs to Denmark)
Of course, once the voyage plans had been voiced, the next job was to make sure our new crew had undertaken the training in order to put this altogether. First of all came the briefings and then after a swift ‘smoko’ the first of the evacuation drills ensuring that everyone knew how to find their muster stations safely and don their life jackets. Then the messmen were introduced to the joys of the galley; helping to set tables, serve dinner and of course clear away afterwards – every aspect of ships life is shared with our crews! Of course there’s no time to be wasted either, so no sooner had the last fork been put down, then the Mate announced that it was ‘all hands on deck’ for their first opportunity to climb the rigging. Many of our new crew took this opportunity to wriggle into their climbing harnesses, although with full stomachs some declined until later on in the voyage!! At 2000hrs, anchor watches were announced and for the rest of us a pleasant evening was had getting to know each other in the ship’s bar, before turning in for the night and who knows what lies ahead.....
Rachel MP LN