Teamwork, Friendship & Unity
Location: Underway to Mauritius
It’s a little past 5:00 am. I’m on the helm, steering Argo on course to Mauritius while I listen to the soft hum of Watch Team 2’s conversation. Suddenly, a booming noise originating from the main sail startles us all. My stomach sinks as I realize that the main has dropped down a few feet on the mast. Nat runs to wake up Captain Shane, and Nacho takes control of the helm. The rest of us stare in shock at our damaged beloved sail. Within seconds, Shane is up on deck giving orders, and we all scramble to our feet. Miles shines a beaming light to the top of the mast, revealing that our halyard both snapped and got entangled, preventing the whole sail from coming down. Lucy, Banks, Wynn, and I are taking up on the jigger with all our might when another thunderous noise ripples through the night. The halyard breaks free, and the main sail comes falling down. From that point on, we knew exactly what to do. We immediately got hands on the sheet to centerline the boom and then worked together to swiftly flake the sail. As the sun began to peek through the grey clouds, we admired our teamwork.
It was in that very moment that we proved to ourselves how strong a team we have become. Even when the unexpected happens, we turn into one powerful unit capable of accomplishing any sail-handling task at hand. Over the past month and a half, the members of Argo’s crew have learned to move in perfect synchrony with each other. Though we haven’t known each other long, our friendship and sense of unity feel indestructible.
None of us could tell you what day of the week it is – time on Argo revolves around watch rotations and the rise and fall of the sun. For the past week, we’ve seen nothing around us but blue waves and flying fish. It’s the little things that have become more noticeable, creating a comforting harmony onboard…
The sound of the waves rocking our boat.
Laughter erupting in the cockpit during mealtimes.
Our water bottles clinking in the wind on the bobaloo.
A dance party happening in the galley during cleanup.
Coconuts being cracked open on deck.
Soft chatter in the salon during quiet hours.
The soothing rhythm of the engine.
All of these and so much more make Argo feel like home.