Some of you have wondered aloud, or perhaps quietly amongst yourselves, what on earth do they do out there for days, no weeks, at a time? Even months at a stretch? So, whether your curiosity is piqued or not, here’s a short primer on how to divert oneself at sea.
First, since someone must always be at the helm, the variety and scope of dials and buttons and meters of every sort in the pilothouse can provide some modest form of entertainment. If, for example, you wish to decipher the wind gauge readings, you need to learn to differentiate between true wind angle and apparent wind angle. Captain Bill can wile away hours on end studying manuals on everything from stabilizer settings to provide the optimum calming effect in rough seas to the care and maintenance of the water maker. On occasion, he is also diverted by golf tournaments on TV or World Series of Poker reruns.
One day we had some innocent fun off the coast of New Jersey as we motored north. A beautiful day, if slightly hazy, with mild temperatures -- in the high 70’s, in fact. So the doors into the pilothouse are open to the breezes and slight salty tang in the air. We’re entertaining ourselves reading guide books about Rhode Island when several pesky little black flies decide to join us. No harm in a letting a little bit of nature in, so we ignore them. More arrive, and they begin to organize themselves into a regiment of tiny attackers. OK. Enough. They bite and sting and then dart into the safety of the salon. We counter with fly swatters and determination. They are small and sneaky, but we manage to get their attention by sending a number of their comrades to a watery grave…overboard.
They redouble their efforts, now attacking knees and ankles. Bill’s calves are especially alluring to the little biters, but we still have a slight edge, we think. In addition to the pair of swatters, we bring in the hand vacuum! Aha! As they are stunned by the flick of Bill’s wrist, he moves in to suction their tiny carcasses into the clear tank. Insect bodies swirl in the maelstrom of dust and crumbs.
Now I shift my efforts to the salon where a large contingent have fled to hide behind the mini-blinds. I carefully raise the blinds to reveal their hiding places and then: smack, smack, smack. Three for three! I can hear swats from the pilothouse, too, quickly followed by tiny bursts of suction. Another one bites the dust!
The game is on, and Captain Bill develops a new technique. No need for the fly swatter, as he adroitly wields the hand vac alone. Suction on, he creeps towards the little flier, patiently, patiently. Just when the winged intruder is confident of his safety, Bill strikes, sweeping the end of the vacuum over the fly who is swiftly sucked into the clear chamber. This method is particularly effective on flies who are themselves diverted by looking out the windows.
We did not win, but were mightily entertained for a short while on what would otherwise have been a very dull afternoon indeed. Of course, there are often times when other vessels in the neighborhood of Let’s Dance require our complete attention. For this we have trained and are up to the task!
As far as diversions go, we are perhaps too easily amused. But there are a lot of hours in the day, and days in the week, with just the two of us aboard, and sometimes any silly little thing that incites laughter is most welcome. We have books and logs and videos and charts and manuals and, always, we have music. Because, naturally, for diversion, sometimes you just gotta dance!
Let's Dance.....Carol & Bill
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
It’s a Man’s World
Greetings Friends and Curious Onlookers --
The adventures and mis-adventures of Let’s Dance continue. Last week,
Captain Bill and his intrepid crew (Larry Crowley, John Clarke and George
Morgan) set out from Daufuskie Island for an offshore passage to the
Chesapeake Bay. It was a win-win situation. The guys would enjoy a
maritime bonding experience and I would be spared a 24/7 marathon sea
cruise. A celebratory bon voyage dinner at our house, with special hurrahs
from me, preceded their dawn departure the next morning.
Here’s the version of the passage (with just a hint of editorializing) I heard from Captain Bill after the fact. There could be other interpretations…..
0620 and the quartet of old salts is underway with flat seas and a brilliant red sunrise over Hilton Head. First order of business for the newly minted crew -- safety! What to do, what not to do, cautions, drills, basic navigation and boat orientation…..all explained concisely, including how to flush the heads. Very important to know. Gear stowed, the enthusiastic anticipation of four straight days at sea is a guy thing for sure.
By mid day, the fishing lines are in and two Spanish mackerel are landed by John post haste. Dinner is assured. The rest of the day and night pass uneventfully, with calm seas, light winds and shared tall tales of the sea. One man shifts, each three hours long, assured overnight security and all was quiet. By 0800 the next morning, seas have freshened to 3 to 5 feet from the starboard quarter and continue to build throughout the afternoon. George has caught a mahi mahi that John decides to cook up as an appetizer, but with increasing waves the galley becomes more like a ping pong table than a kitchen. The guys are bounced from port to starboard and the stabilizers are working overtime to combat the swaying motion. Now the Atlantic tests them with 5 to 7 foot seas and strengthening winds. It could get interesting tonight!
As night settled over Let’s Dance and her crew, the forecasts were for seas in the 8 to 10 foot range with winds gusting up to 25 knots. It is getting interesting, indeed. So the question is, stay out in the Atlantic and muddle through or head in for the night. The decision is made quickly as the guys are fast approaching the last entrance to a safe harbor before the eastward sweep of the Outer Banks makes landfall problematic. Two in the morning finds them anchoring off the Coast Guard station in Morehead City, NC to await the passing of the front.
Fast forward to late the next afternoon, Saturday. 231 miles of the trip to Norfolk remain -- approximately 37 hours of trawler time. Our sailors set out from their anchorage and the adventure continues. About 90 minutes into this leg of the passage, it’s noticed that there is an increased load factor on the engine (huh?) and a significantly higher fuel burn. (Rocket science on the open ocean!) Consultation with Captain Bernie in Florida, pow-wows among the crew, options weighed and reviewed --- it’s decided to head back in to Morehead City and deal with the engine issues. Another night at anchor. By the following morning fuel filters are changed, as it was thought that the prior day’s rough seas might have stirred up any sediments in the fuel tanks that then clogged the filters. Sounds logical to me, Captain Bill. At this point, delays have provided John with the impetus needed to jump ship before the conclusion of the escapade -- a ‘very important meeting’ is scheduled two days ahead and the airport is in a city that is still several hundred miles away. John is dropped at a nearby marina to find his way back to Houston. The remaining seamen head back out to the Atlantic, confident once again in the equipment, to continue the journey. And then there were three.
Now the seas are flat, the winds calm, the heat index climbing and the little Lugger engine purring as the crew heads out around Cape Hatteras on the last leg of the trip. More fishing lines are thrown and mahi mahi find their way on board. They were released to swim another day, but, hey, it’s all about the challenge, right? The last day passes uneventfully and Let’s Dance settles into the Vinings Landing Marina in Norfolk, VA, the end of the line, for the night. The passage is a success and high fives are shared. Captain Bill hosts a farewell dinner for Larry and George and spirits are high as the “no alcohol” on passages rule is no longer in effect. As dinner ended, George was picked up by a friend to start a golf outing in the area. And then there were two.
Tuesday morning, day six of the journey, Larry leaves Let’s Dance to return to Cape Cod. The crew has traveled 543 nautical miles over 5 days. Bill was most grateful for the companionship, humor and expertise brought by each of the mates. It is good to have friends! And then there was one.
Captain Bill was alone, but not for long! I arrived at the Norfolk airport at 2 that afternoon and taxied over to Let’s Dance: reunited at last with her, Captain Bill and the Love Me Tender. Sheets and towels were already in the laundry; the salon and galley in impeccable order. Very impressive, Bill.
Our plan for the coming months resembles last year’s journey, with one big, big difference. We are no longer completely green, newbie seafarers. We have fourteen months, 6,100 miles, countless anchoring, moorings and dockings behind us. Over-confidence is not, however, in our repertoire. We are still just beginners, taking baby steps and relying on those with more experience to lead us on. Thanks, then to all of those who aid and abet, from
Let’s Dance……Carol & Bill
The adventures and mis-adventures of Let’s Dance continue. Last week,
Captain Bill and his intrepid crew (Larry Crowley, John Clarke and George
Morgan) set out from Daufuskie Island for an offshore passage to the
Chesapeake Bay. It was a win-win situation. The guys would enjoy a
maritime bonding experience and I would be spared a 24/7 marathon sea
cruise. A celebratory bon voyage dinner at our house, with special hurrahs
from me, preceded their dawn departure the next morning.
Here’s the version of the passage (with just a hint of editorializing) I heard from Captain Bill after the fact. There could be other interpretations…..
0620 and the quartet of old salts is underway with flat seas and a brilliant red sunrise over Hilton Head. First order of business for the newly minted crew -- safety! What to do, what not to do, cautions, drills, basic navigation and boat orientation…..all explained concisely, including how to flush the heads. Very important to know. Gear stowed, the enthusiastic anticipation of four straight days at sea is a guy thing for sure.
By mid day, the fishing lines are in and two Spanish mackerel are landed by John post haste. Dinner is assured. The rest of the day and night pass uneventfully, with calm seas, light winds and shared tall tales of the sea. One man shifts, each three hours long, assured overnight security and all was quiet. By 0800 the next morning, seas have freshened to 3 to 5 feet from the starboard quarter and continue to build throughout the afternoon. George has caught a mahi mahi that John decides to cook up as an appetizer, but with increasing waves the galley becomes more like a ping pong table than a kitchen. The guys are bounced from port to starboard and the stabilizers are working overtime to combat the swaying motion. Now the Atlantic tests them with 5 to 7 foot seas and strengthening winds. It could get interesting tonight!
As night settled over Let’s Dance and her crew, the forecasts were for seas in the 8 to 10 foot range with winds gusting up to 25 knots. It is getting interesting, indeed. So the question is, stay out in the Atlantic and muddle through or head in for the night. The decision is made quickly as the guys are fast approaching the last entrance to a safe harbor before the eastward sweep of the Outer Banks makes landfall problematic. Two in the morning finds them anchoring off the Coast Guard station in Morehead City, NC to await the passing of the front.
Fast forward to late the next afternoon, Saturday. 231 miles of the trip to Norfolk remain -- approximately 37 hours of trawler time. Our sailors set out from their anchorage and the adventure continues. About 90 minutes into this leg of the passage, it’s noticed that there is an increased load factor on the engine (huh?) and a significantly higher fuel burn. (Rocket science on the open ocean!) Consultation with Captain Bernie in Florida, pow-wows among the crew, options weighed and reviewed --- it’s decided to head back in to Morehead City and deal with the engine issues. Another night at anchor. By the following morning fuel filters are changed, as it was thought that the prior day’s rough seas might have stirred up any sediments in the fuel tanks that then clogged the filters. Sounds logical to me, Captain Bill. At this point, delays have provided John with the impetus needed to jump ship before the conclusion of the escapade -- a ‘very important meeting’ is scheduled two days ahead and the airport is in a city that is still several hundred miles away. John is dropped at a nearby marina to find his way back to Houston. The remaining seamen head back out to the Atlantic, confident once again in the equipment, to continue the journey. And then there were three.
Now the seas are flat, the winds calm, the heat index climbing and the little Lugger engine purring as the crew heads out around Cape Hatteras on the last leg of the trip. More fishing lines are thrown and mahi mahi find their way on board. They were released to swim another day, but, hey, it’s all about the challenge, right? The last day passes uneventfully and Let’s Dance settles into the Vinings Landing Marina in Norfolk, VA, the end of the line, for the night. The passage is a success and high fives are shared. Captain Bill hosts a farewell dinner for Larry and George and spirits are high as the “no alcohol” on passages rule is no longer in effect. As dinner ended, George was picked up by a friend to start a golf outing in the area. And then there were two.
Tuesday morning, day six of the journey, Larry leaves Let’s Dance to return to Cape Cod. The crew has traveled 543 nautical miles over 5 days. Bill was most grateful for the companionship, humor and expertise brought by each of the mates. It is good to have friends! And then there was one.
Captain Bill was alone, but not for long! I arrived at the Norfolk airport at 2 that afternoon and taxied over to Let’s Dance: reunited at last with her, Captain Bill and the Love Me Tender. Sheets and towels were already in the laundry; the salon and galley in impeccable order. Very impressive, Bill.
Our plan for the coming months resembles last year’s journey, with one big, big difference. We are no longer completely green, newbie seafarers. We have fourteen months, 6,100 miles, countless anchoring, moorings and dockings behind us. Over-confidence is not, however, in our repertoire. We are still just beginners, taking baby steps and relying on those with more experience to lead us on. Thanks, then to all of those who aid and abet, from
Let’s Dance……Carol & Bill
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