By Ship’s Purser Allison With 8 new trainees on board from Summerside the new crew are becoming familiar with the ways of the PICTON CASTLE. It can sometimes be a bit overwhelming when we first head out to sea but the excitement often prevails. There is so much to learn and remember but soon it …
By Ship’s Purser: Allison Steele Today we heaved up anchor at 0830 and headed to meet our pilot to take us through the Canso Strait. The Canso Strait is the waterway that divides mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. The Canso Canal was created between 1951 and 1953 and connects Chedabucto Bay on the …
By: Purser Allison Sunday Funday! Sunday at sea means a lighter work day for the crew. Although we are still a 24/7 ship and things still need to be cleaned, meals prepared and of course sailing, the crew will often work on their own projects or those of the ship. There was a splicing and …
By Purser Allison While anchored at Nahant just outside of Boston, the crew enjoyed a bright sunshiny morning and spiffed up the ship. She is glistening with new paint and varnish and looks beautiful and ready to receive visitors. As the Boston Tall Ship Festival will be a well attended and significant event, the crew …
By Allison Steele, purser Today the crew was busy spiffing the ship up for our visit to Boston. With reggae music in the background, the crew painted, sanded and varnished, repaired ratlines and conducted our monthly inspection of all our safety equipment. Regular inspection not only ensures that it is in good working order but …
By Allison Steele, purser Today as we made our way closer to Boston we were joined again by some curious marine life. The crew was busy with ship’s work including painting, varnishing and tarring. We also conducted some drills in tacking and wearing the ship to make sure we are snappy for the Parade of …
Fish On!!! The best words shouted while at sea! On our sail to Bermuda or on any other passage, we like to drag a few lines in hopes of catching the elusive Mahi Mahi or any great fish we can lure aboard. Personally, my favourite rig is a 10-12′ bungee cord with 150lb test …
By: Purser Allison A beautiful day turning much warmer in the afternoon, the crew was joined by many curious marine animals. We saw no small amount of sharks, bottlenose dolphins. The crew also had full man overboard drill complete with a launching the rescue boat to retrieve our MOB practice buoy Lenny. Preparing and launching …
By Purser Allison We are approaching the Boston Harbour Shipping Lanes and have seen quite a bit of activity not just with vessels but with marine life. We were fortunate to see whales today that were quite curious about our comparatively small ship that they came to visit. Captain Sikkema held workshops on ratline splices, …
By: Purser Allison Hove to at 0820 for weather and rode out the force 8 winds and 6-metre waves. At 1300 the weather broke and we started to see sunshine and resumed our course, bending on the mizzen topmast stays’l and downrigged the heavy weather gear. We celebrated Matt’s birthday and enjoyed cake and …
