Location: Underway to Devils Island
Oh, what a day it has been! All three watch teams have had the joy of sail handling today, starting off at the wonderful hour of 3:30 this morning. To set the scene: watch team 2 (comprised of Zoe (me), Kyler, Vittoria, Reed, and Alexa) is sailing along on the 12 – 4 am watch when, to our sorrow, our wind dies. Thus, we wake up Sir Macaire and begin our sail handling. After center-lining the main sail, mainsail, and forward stay sail, we work our way up to the bow to drop the flying jib. Much to our surprise, the sky begins to dump every ounce of water it is holding on us. We go from a calm, gentle drop of the FJ to wind and sheets of rain being dumped on us. But alas, we on watch team 2 think things of that nature are fun, so we joyfully bring the FJ down. At this point, watch team 3 (comprised of Emma, Perry, Nashota, Henry, and Camilla) has joined us on deck for the beginning of their 4 – 8 am watch, and joins the action to drop the main sail. By now, the rain is falling so hard that it is hard to see anything but the rain, and everyone is properly soaked. As Mac put it, we made ‘big messy flakes’ of our main sail and got her secured to the boom in no time. Watch team two was then relieved, leaving watch team 3 on deck to go wring our clothing down below. After, as watch teams 2 and 3 are now asleep and watch team 1 (comprised of Sam, Erin, Grant, Hannah K, and Hannah Y) is on their 8 – 12 am watch, they are tasked with raising the main sail and sheeting out the stay sails. Now, that may not sound like much work, but raising the main sail as a team of 5 is a major accomplishment (and a major workout). Since all the fun this morning, we have been having a lovely sail, and are all looking forward to crossing the equator tomorrow!
Hi Mom, can you tell Bet I say happy buffday !!!!!!?? – Emma