30/06/2010 - Tenacious

A drama on the high seas yesterday. A virtual powerboat came alongside and
disgorged 7 bloodthirsty pirates disguised as Gadgets a.k.a.cadets.
Georgina, Sarah, Joe, Dan, Ian, Sam and Luke. The ship was immediately
Locked Down. Those of the crew were below at the  time were locked in, and
those on deck were locked out and left to the tender mercies of the pirates.

The pirates stormed the bridge, taking Penelope the dummy hostage and
demanding 1million pounds for her release. If they had only known, we would
gladly have paid the pirates to take her away, but Bill, our watchleader,
could not get below to get his wallet. The permanent crew are fed up with
her continually falling overboard, getting caught out in fires and other
daft escapades.  The pirates soon cracked the code for entering the Chart
Room, basically because they already knew it.

Although on the face of it was fun, it did have a serious side. The ships
Standing Orders  have to contain a procedure to deal with a pirate attack
should one occur, and the crew have to practise that procedure.

 After all that excitement, the rest of the day was boring by comparison.
The ship is now heading for Cork through rising seas and wind with the
weather stations forecasting a steady rise in the wind strength 7 touching
8. Known to we sea salts as a Gale. So Cork tomorrow morning at 1000 hours.
HOORAY, Land Ahoy

All for now from Red Watch. Bill, Mac, David, Dick, Julie, Mark, Joe and
Dan.