The joys and sorrows of a sailor (M/F/X)…
Machinery
The rolling of the ship complicates tasks. The wind has been over 20 knots for several days, and we pitch and roll considerably. The oil levels in the engines are open to interpretation, as is fuel consumption. Our average speed over the past few days is around 10 knots, with a record so far of 14.2 knots. A challenge for our HWTK and second engineer Wiljan! The propeller shaft went rogue with the brake engaged, making an enormous racket. It was almost unusable—you could smell it in the corridor.
Throughout the voyage our HWTK and second engineer is awakened nightly by an engine room alarm (the cook in the adjacent cabin as well). The warm seawater affects the performance of the cooling compressor. Off goes Wiljan with a water pump plier, a gripping plier, and combination plier, and the alarm is silenced.
During the weekly test of the emergency fire pump we almost lost our new cook Yvonne. The HWTK, second engineer, and KM Red nearly blew her off deck with eight bars of pressure. Not ideal on the ocean with over a week still to go.
Deck
Three days ago a major disaster struck: our beloved but fragile gaff topsail gave way. Upon further inspection by Dewi and Jeroen, the only remedy was to replace a sail panel. Removing the panel and sewing it back on is a monumental task. While measuring the sail you roll across the deck. Finding a stable spot to mark the template for the new panel is impossible and will have to wait until Martinique. To be continued.
Captain Hein was not spared a technical mishap either. His neckerchief ring fell apart. Fortunately, with some glue and a clamp, Hein’s beloved scouting ring is now drying neatly on the workbench.
Here and there the ship has been de-rusted and patched. Of course, we also conducted a fire drill. The scenario: Hein’s electric scooter charger caught fire, and there was also a casualty in one of the cabins. During the evacuation, the head was inadvertently left behind. The doctor could do nothing for him, but the fire was quickly and professionally contained. Drill complete.
We sail between squalls. However, there is a quartermaster who attracts rain: Maarten. As soon as he dons his new sailing jacket, still with tags, downpours break loose. Even sun dances do not counter it.
Galley
The galley also rolls heavily. Pale faces appeared as all our desserts flew through the air! Yvonne’s polo is already in need of replacement; no longer salvageable, new ones gladly received!
Johan, our bread master, has become a true baker. Every morning at six (except weekends) he is in the galley. We bake our own bread onboard and have fresh bread daily. Yet another disaster occurred: the Hobart, our kitchen machine, gave out. Duct tape and superglue revived it.
Another technical issue in the galley concerned our high-tech oven with automatic Clean Jet Eco program. The wash cycle refused to run. Thankfully, the HWTK, second engineer Wiljan, and ETO Jeroen disassembled and reassembled the oven with precision, and the washing resumed.
Accommodation
Throughout the voyage we improved the ship further. Next to the coffee machine now hangs a chalkboard showing brew times. Plates in the common room no longer fly around when the cupboard is opened.
Illana spent days searching for a suspected leak in the beer store. After tasting, it turned out to be Heineken 0.0. The leaking can was apprehended and relieved of its suffering. The beer store is dry again.
Greetings
Wiljan HWTK and second engineer
Illana Chief and bartender
Dewi Boatswain and sailmaker
Johan Boatswain and bread master
Yvonne Cook and assistant engineer
Maarten Quartermaster Blue Watch and rain magnet
Jeroen Quartermaster Red Watch and apparently Electrical Technical Officer