Dear Readers
Just when you thought 'Lord Nelson' may have sunk without trace....we are currently out of the water on the ship-lift in Las Palmas.
The ship has been working through a demanding Lloyds Register 25 year survey and maintenance schedule in order to remain licensed to operate for the next five years.
All ship staff and many volunteers have been working very hard in unpleasant dockyard conditions for the last 16 days, the tasks invariably involve working in the deepest, darkest, depths of the engine room and bilges to check structure and remove rust. My job has involved the high management roving commission policy of never actually doing anything but walk around in a white boiler suit with a clip-board (this is an important part of the deception). Extended lunch time meetings with surveyors, contractors and agents giving plenty of time to divide the equity gained from jobs and services I have signed off on behalf of my employers....
I have been greatly assisted in this scam by Captain Neil Duncan who has been seconded as Superintendent for this project.
All being well, the ship will be lowered back into the water tomorrow 9th and then we get the job cleaned up and ready for voyage 759 commencing 13th.
All hands have worked magnificently throughout our dusty sojorn in the shipyard, we are a longway from town in an industrial area but we have never-the-less had a harmonious team of volunteers who had gone away knowing a lot more about how the ship is put together...and found time to explore the local bars and beaches as well.
Worth considering when compared with November in the UK! Perhaps we'll see you sometime..just contact Lynn Richards in operations.
Best regards
John Etheridge, Captain.