November 1st in the South Pacific! We can’t believe it. The early risers of the ship awoke to a beautiful sunrise and cool morning air. For some of the crew waking up early is an enjoyable way to start their day. Sipping their morning coffee while the deck is still peaceful before the tinkering of tools begins. We waste no time onboard, the first breakfast is at 0730 and projects begin to unfurl by 0800.
On today’s agenda, rigger Abbey is overhauling blocks, taking them apart, lathering them in linseed oil, wire brushing the metal pieces and greasing them before putting them all back together. Brittni works away at assembling the refurbished three steps Jacob’s ladder. When used, this Jacob’s ladder is attached to the inside of the ship’s t’gallant rail and is placed on the outside of the hull in order for crew members to get in and out of a small boat that is alongside. The three planks of wood had been sanded and varnished and Brittni now works away at attaching the three of them together by running a new line through each plank, leaving long bitter ends in order to be able to tie the ladder onto the ship.
The carpenter duo, Tomas of Spain and Carlos of Ontario, work away on the quarterdeck under the hot sun hammering in the traditional caulking method using oakum between the planks. They will then be sealed with pitch, a melted tar substance that is carefully poured over the seams.
On the opposite side of the quarterdeck the sailmaker helpers, Kimba and Annie, stitch away at the new spanker and will soon move onto the next step of sewing all of the seams together. Kirsten is sewing on the last few grommets for the main topmast staysail. This afternoon our chief mate, Erin, of Bermuda, is hosting a workshop on stowing sails, how to improve your skills and gain speed. Often when the mate calls to take in a sail it is due to the fact that winds are picking up and some sails, such as the royals and t’gallants, need to be taken in and stowed to prevent them from tearing.
From: Vanuatu
Towards: Bali
Date: Thursday, November 1, 2018
Noon Position: 13°48.5′ S x 155°29.0′ E
Course + Speed: NW 1/2 W + 5.0 kts
Wind direction + Force: ESE + 4
Swell Height + Direction: 1 1/2 – 2m
Weather: Sunny
Day’s Run: 117.9 nm
Passage Log: 119.0 nm
Distance to Port: 737 nm
Voyage: 11079.6 nm
Sails Set: All square sails, outer jib, main topmast stays’l, mizzen topmast stays’l