Yesterday’s Halloween festivities went off without a hitch! After lunch the crew worked together and transformed below decks into a haunted house. Cobwebs, spiders, ghosts, goblins and ghouls took over our ship. Dawson, age 6, dressed as a Super Gekko and bravely charged through the scary obstacles in order to collect as much candy as possible. And that he did, filling his pumpkin bucket to the brim, not once but twice! After which he kindly shared his loot with the crew. A lovely Sunday at Sea, everyone dressed up, transforming themselves into someone or something else. Pretending you’re someone or something else for the day is what Halloween is all about! Music blasted from the bridge, as crew members danced and ate popcorn and candy, all the while we sailed atop the South Pacific.
Monday morning now and the crew is back at it. This week the daymen departments each have a new apprentice learning the ropes. Kirsten, of Alberta, is practicing her stitches and learning the skills to become a sailmaker. Arne, of Minnesota, is busy repairing planks and caulking on the quarterdeck with the carpenters. And Tyler, of Ontario, is down below learning his way around the engine room. We as the crew are very fortunate that we’re able and given the opportunities to get our hands into various departments on the ship. This is not only beneficial to the crew member, but also to the ship, the more individuals know how to do different things the better off we are as a team. These week-long apprenticeships often boost a crew member’s confidence and allows them an insight into a world that was once foreign to them.
Lots of tinkering of tools, rust busting, stitching of sails and playing Lego ongoing this morning. The gaff topsail is being bent on the mizzen mast, while the mate runs through the plan with the riggers to bend on the stuns’ls. All are looking forward to a great week ahead.
From: Vanuatu
Towards: Bali
Date: Monday, October 29, 2018
Noon Position: 15°18.6’S x 161°03.5′ E
Course + Speed: W 1/2 N + 1.9 kts
Wind direction + Force: SE + 2
Swell Height + Direction: 1m + ESE
Weather: Bright, Sunny, Hot
Day’s Run: 63.5 nm
Passage Log: 44.9 nm
Distance to Port: 1072 nm
Voyage: 10735.8 nm
Sails Set: All square sails, outer and inner jib, main topmast stays’l, main t’gallant stays’l, mizzen stays’l, spanker, gaff tops’l