Thought you might like a bit of an insight into a typical four hour shift, mid Atlantic.
Get up at 2am but can't decide whether it is 2 or 6am shift. Come round a bit and try to remove PJ shorts from sweaty body still lying on the bunk. The shirt and shorts from last night are still wet and clammy. On deck I announce my presence as we all filter up to relieve the previous shift. It’s light winds and we are not doing well in our speed or direction. Within the first half hour the wind starts to pick up and we decide we'd better retrieve the windseeker (the light weight sail) from the foredeck. The boat is really heeling over and safety harnesses on we stagger, squatting or on hands and knees, up to the bow. The first wave strikes and immediately drenches me to the skin and the sea water stings my eyes, oh well I was still damp from last night. We move the sail back to a safer position to pack it into a bag. Only 2.45pm the wind picks up and we are doing well, the boat rocketing along but now slightly overpowered so we let the main sail out a bit.
The wind builds and Keith the watch leader calls for the Number 2 Yankie to be brought on deck. Three people are sent down below to push the sail up through the sleeping quarters hatch, the other shift are asleep but they are probably oblivious, you learn to sleep through most things. The sail is brought up and lashed to the deck in preparation, then heavens open and it pours down, soaking wet I stand by the helm as main sheet operator to let out the sail if we get hit by a squall I feel like a sheep trying to shelter in the rain behind a wall. The fresh water washes the salt from my hair and face but it’s a bit chilly and it’s still only 3.45am. It’s hard to believe but the wind starts to drop and the Yankie 2 we got up and ready isn’t needed. The wind drops further, so much that we slow down until we are hardly moving, the sails flap and we wander the ocean in any direction the wind wants to take us. This continues for an hour before it freshens and we are on our way again. All this in a 4 hour shift!
The wind builds and Keith the watch leader calls for the Number 2 Yankie to be brought on deck. Three people are sent down below to push the sail up through the sleeping quarters hatch, the other shift are asleep but they are probably oblivious, you learn to sleep through most things. The sail is brought up and lashed to the deck in preparation, then heavens open and it pours down, soaking wet I stand by the helm as main sheet operator to let out the sail if we get hit by a squall I feel like a sheep trying to shelter in the rain behind a wall. The fresh water washes the salt from my hair and face but it’s a bit chilly and it’s still only 3.45am. It’s hard to believe but the wind starts to drop and the Yankie 2 we got up and ready isn’t needed. The wind drops further, so much that we slow down until we are hardly moving, the sails flap and we wander the ocean in any direction the wind wants to take us. This continues for an hour before it freshens and we are on our way again. All this in a 4 hour shift!
Then shift over it’s back to the hot ghetto to peel off the wet clothes
and hang them somewhere on the bunk to steam, they won’t dry of course but
we have 6 hours to try and sleep before the next shift. At least it will be light then. I have leant to take each shift as it comes otherwise it can
become overpowering, one shift at a time as they say!
and hang them somewhere on the bunk to steam, they won’t dry of course but
we have 6 hours to try and sleep before the next shift. At least it will be light then. I have leant to take each shift as it comes otherwise it can
become overpowering, one shift at a time as they say!
Will blog from Rio!
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