After doing domestics I went to the warehouse to help Logan sort though the big wood pile, which was just wood scraps in a 12-foot pile. After sorting through the scraps, Logan found a few that he liked and the rest went back into the pile in an "organized fashion." We took the chosen pieces back to PC and Jimmy, Logan, and I sorted the wood pile in the hold, which was about half the size of the warehouse pile. I then laid in the hold and helped sort things out and organize. After lunch, we mustered on the dock, and watched the fore tgallant yard get hoisted up the mast. For the fore royal yard, I went back on capstan duty. Afterwards, I was just laying in where I could. I helped bag some more cement bags from the stackhouse and into the hold with Nadia, Jay, Alex, and Jo. Then Nadia and I took some charthouse things to the office. Then we went rowing in the monomoy, and Anders (the Chief Mate of Danmark) came also to learn the PC style. I think we all did well. I then did some deck sweeping and took Nicksa to the hardware store to get some polish. When I got back, we were assigned our muster duties for emergencies. I'm a sail-handler, meaning if there is a fire or MOB situation, I and the other sail-handlers will pretty much move about the deck and take up sails, brace the yards, and other maneuvers as dictated to us by the Captain or Mate. We did a 1/2-speed fire-in-the-paint locker drill. After dinner I had a swig of rum with some shipmates and went to the Banker to have some more and use the Internet. Now I'm back and ready to pass out.
29 April 2010
28 April 2010
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Tuesday 27 April 2010 בס"ד
Started today where I left off yesterday; bending the outer jib. Alex and Jimmy worked on the actual bending to the hanks part and I held the sail up and passed the robands since they were faster and it was freezing and raining. Then the crew mustered on dock to see the mizzen topmast get set. I was selected to turn the capstan, so we on the capstan turned round and round hoisting up the topmast. During this time, a tractor trailer full of food arrived and the rest on the dock daisy chained it to the hold. After lunch the starboard side got to go to the local pool for a course on liferafts, PFDs, and survival suits (port had gone yesterday). However, we go there, got into bathing suits, and Brad jumped in when the pool manager lady came over and said, "DONT PUT YOUR FACE IN THE WATER!" WT inquired and there was some chemical issue, so we go back in clothes and were rescheduled for Monday to finish the lesson. I came back, took some excess food to the warehouse in my truck, then laid in with cement-packing crew. Apparently we're taking 100 bags of 55lb cement mix to Pitcairn and they had to be bagged so moisture wouldn't affect them. I just lifted the bags to the wrapping parties. Then Shawn and Liam and I got four more lawnmowers. After dinner I helped clean the galleyhouse, then went to the Banker for a round with some shipmates. Now I just put in some storage compartments in my rack and I reorganized some stuff.
Monday 26 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Monday 26 April 2010 בס"ד
Started the day by doing a few runs from the warehouse to PC in my truck. We loaded a lot of life preservers and survival suits and other miscellany into the back by a block and tackle system from the 3rd floor. After I learned how to do ratline seizings from Nadja and then Michael and I started a few in the headrigging. My nose was leaking like a faucet and so I went to the pharmacy at lunch break to get some medicine. The guy recommended this antihistamine and told me the drowsiness was mild, but I was in the headrigging later with John and Jimmy and all of a sudden I was having a hard time focusing and I wasn't feeling quite normal. Plus my nose was still leaking, so I'm not getting that medicine anymore. Tammy and Robert and I skipped dinner and went to Bridgewater WalMart and Canadian Tyre and Frenchy's. Got back late, had inner with Tammy and now going to bed. I'm beat.
25 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Sunday 25 April 2010 בס"ד
Another double entry due to shoreside drinking. Well, Saturday was possibly one of the coolest days of my life to date (I'm trying not to exaggerate). We spent the day bending on sail (which means actually putting the sails on the yards). I hadn't been aloft since my initial "up and over" and out on the yard introduction, so I was unsure if I was going to feel comfortable enough to do any work in the rigging. But first thing I was assigned to do was bend on the main upper topsl, and so I went up and over and up the next level of ratlines to the yard, made my way out on the port side of hte yard, and started bending (attaching the sail by lashing it to the forward jackstay with robands). And you know what? I felt perfectly comfortable! So I learned how to do that and furl. I even had to go back on deck to get more robands and then go up again. However, my right leg did have some minor shakes, but I still felt great. Then I went up the mizzenmast to bend the spanker, and for that I had to carefully balance on a line called a chainline. Michael was on the port side and I on starboard and we each had to pass the robands back and forth since it was a vertical setup. At lunch, a few people commented on the smile I had on my face, and I compared it to an "after-sex" glow. After lunch I was bending on the fore course and helping Clark and even Brownwyn (who made an unexpected visit aloft) with the techniques. On the focslehead, Liam asked me "Fred, what is it that you're doing?" and I replied, "Why, I'm bending on the fore course," very confidently, and then I looked at WT standing next to Liam and asked, "WT, is that right?" which got a chuckle from a few people. After bending, the captain instructed us to lower hte sails and check em out, and so we did. After the display, we were then told to furl sails, so again I went aloft and furled the main upper and lower topsls. At one point I couldn't find anything to clip my harness into and I asked Meredith what to do and she said very matter-of-factly, "don't let go." And so hold on I did. THere was a moment where I felt a bit claustrophobic because I was trapped between a line, the backrope, a block and Brad and I had to bend myself backward with no harness to move to Liam and the mast. I did it, but with a less comfortable style thanb before. But I got down and Meredith told me I did a good job and I felt alright. So in this one day I managed to go aloft each mast at least once. Afterward, we were told there would be a Dory Shop BBQ, so Dave started a beer money collection and we managed to get about $200, with which we bought a lot of beer. The BBQ was awesome and it quickly evolved into a wild dance party which lasted several hours. It was a lot of fun and pretty much everybody was there and dancing up a storm. Also, it turned out to be Michael's birthday, so there was a cake for him. Anyway, I wasn't drunk but I was too exhausted from going aloft and dancing all night to write an entry yesterday.
Today started out a little cold and damp and rainy. Leonard volunteered to be the cook today, and he did a great job. I got a load of laundry ready, and made a run with Donald's bags, WT's bag, Stephanie and Jan. I came back, went to the Banker for coffee, went online, the returned to PC for lunch. After lunch I watched Hot Fuzz in the Brocave, and when I came out, the sun was shining. I picked up the laundry and Tina, sewed my workpants' zipper (which came out of the stitches), and had dinner. After dinner went to the Banker for a drink and more internet, now going to bed. I had hoped to shower today ran out of time.
25 April 2010
The Cast of Characters
Of course I'm going to be name-dropping throughout the blogs and since most readers won't have a clue as to whom I am talking about, I figured I'd make up a list. Overall there will be 52 people departing Lunenburg, and as we begin and end legs certain people will be replaced by others. I'll do my best at the moment to get everybody here that I know and where they're from. I actually know very few surnames and proper spellings, so I'll do my best.
PROFESSIONAL CREW
Captain: Dan Moreland [USA]
Chief Mate: Mike Moreland [USA]
2nd Mate: Paul Bracken [USA]
3rd Mate: Rebecca Libby [CANADA]
Bosun: WT (Double-T) Simmons [CANADA]
Cook: Donald Church [GRENADA]
Chief Engineer: Christian (Chris) Barmettler [SWITZERLAND]
Carpenter (I think): Logan Livingston [CANADA]
Medical Officer: Krista Watson, M.D. [CANADA]
Purser: Maggie Ostler [CANADA]
AB: Meredith McKinnon [CANADA]
AB: Sophie Martel [CANADA]
AB: Paula Washington[CANADA]
AB: Siri [NORWAY]
AB: Katelinn Shaw[USA]
TRAINEES (by compartment)
FOREPEAK (aka BroCave)
Mike (Fred) Weiss [USA]
Shawn Anderson [CANADA]
Dave Farrall [CANADA]
Brad Woodworth [USA]
Niko Griffes[USA]
Davey Liang [SOUTH AFRICA]
Dan Rutherford [CANADA]
Jimmy Gordon [ISLE OF MAN]
FOCSLE (aka ProCave)
Alex Moore [CANADA]
SALON
Mike Mitchell [CANADA]
John Ford [UNITED KINGDOM]
Via Christensenv[DENMARK]
Joanie Cain [USA]
Adrienne Bode [CANADA]
Liam Tayler [UNITED KINGDOM]
Katie [USA]
Robert [GERMANY]
Clark [USA]
Tammy Sharp [CANADA]
Lorainne [USA]
Jan Caselli[NETHERLANDS]
Lauren [USA]
Leonard Weaver [CANADA]
Michael Zachmann [USA]
Tina [CANADA]
AFT QUARTERS (aka BatCave)
Joanna (Jo) Clark [USA]
Johanna (Yo) Aase [NORWAY]
Kate (Bob) Addison [UNITED KINGDOM]
Meredith Spratt [USA]
Nadia Vassos [CANADA]
Julie Vermeer [CANADA]
Cheri Davidson [CANADA]
Georgie Lockwood [SOUTH AFRICA]
PC OFFICE, LOCALS, AND FRIENDS OF THE SHIP
Office: Bronwen Livingston [CANADA]
Office: Susan Corkum Greek [CANADA]
AB: Nadja Nitschke [GERMANY]
Deckhand: Stephanie [USA]
Deckhand: Suzie Ordway [CANADA]
Deckhand: Nicholas (Nicksa) Bestbier [SOUTH AFRICA]
Former Sailmaker: David (Buddy) Leask [UNITED KINGDOM]
Former Deckhand: Nicki [CANADA]
Former Deckhand: Ryan Doll [CANADA]
Local Awesome Dude: Bub [CANADA]
Bartender at the Banker: Garrett (Gurt) [CANADA]
_____________________
A few more people are due to arrive, but since I've yet to meet them, they'll be excluded for the time being.
A few more people are due to arrive, but since I've yet to meet them, they'll be excluded for the time being.
23 April 2010
Friday 23 April 2010
The Grand Banker (Pub) at Lunenburg; Friday 23 April 2010 בס"ד
After our morning deckwash, we had several hours of fine safety training from the Lunenburg Fire Dept. We split into three groups which rotated through fire extinguishers, first aid/CPR/headneckback injury, and actually putting on bunker gear and going into a blazing compartment to do a rescue (although really only pro crew will ever do that). After that I did a bit of painting on the focslehead and helped haul and lower Katie on a bosun's chair over the rail so she could paint the bow. Then the Captain explained to us in a salon muster (which we had because there was some film crew from Japan doing a shoot in the wharf) that A) tomorrow we start to bend sail, B) our sailing date has been pushed back to 8 May, and C) we then got a blue crew shirt, a white shirt, and a hat for our "uniforms" for when I guess we go into certain ports and we can all look sharp. I helped clean the galley after dinner, spent a half hour trying to learn my lines, and now came to the Banker to check internet. I also got a glass of wine and said my Kiddush, though I know it's not quite 100% kosher (oh well).
Thursday 22 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Thursday 22 April 2010 בס"ד
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Wednesday 21 April 2010 בס"ד
My first galley duty today. Woke up at 0615 and went up to the galley house. Donald had me do a few runs to the hold to get bread and eggs and oats, etc. We then set up on the hatch ("we" being Lorainne and Katelinn and me). The day was very nice and sunny, but it was pretty cold until 1100 and stayed warm til 1230 when it cooled down again. After doing breakfast dishes, I helped haul about a ton of new manila line from the warehouse to the PC in my truck. Did lunch and the dishes, then helped hoist the gaff and mizzen boom. Did a run into town with Shawn and delivered 10 lawnmowers to the warehouse that are bound for Pitcairn Island. Seriously, I use the shit out of my truck. It's awesome. Everyone did a workshop on splices and whippings before dinner. Finished washing dinner at 2030. Took a shower, tidied up my rack, and going to bed while Niko and Davey watch Sherlock Holmes.
20 April 2010
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Tuesday 20 April 2010 בס"ד
Crazy day! Woke up without heartburn, which was good. Started the day with a quick deckwash, then since the weather was nice we started doing official training and orientation business. We took tours of all the compartments and safety equipment, from firefighting gear to lifejackets. Then we got our harnesses out, learned the proper way to wear them, and slowly did our first “up and overs.” Those are the inauguration for life aloft, and we must climb up the ratlines and shrouds, go up the futtock shrouds (which lean outboard)and up the foretop platform. Then we go over the other side and back down. It wasn't scary, exactly; rather tense though since if you let go, you're falling FAR. So I did it! Then I learned how to do an eye splice on 7/8” manila line and also a sailmakers' whipping. I also helped reave some block and tackle before going into the monomoy boat for small boat oar commands practice. After that I went aloft again to the fore course yard and walked out over the water on the footrope. Again, tense, but not scary. After dinner, played another sick game of Ultimate. Now heading to the Banker to up this all online.
Monday 19 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Monday 19 April 2010 בס"ד
Busy day today. Woke up with a terrible chest pain that worsened after breakfast. After discussing it with some shipmates, I've diagnosed it as bad heartburn, which I've never had before. Anyway, that didn't stop me from working hard all day. After breakfast, I was on domestics; then I helped load frozen food from Z into my truck and take it into the PC hold. Then used my truck to take a load of lifesaving equipment and other things to PC, where we stowed them in their respective locations. Then we did a cool operation of hoisting the old batteries out of the hold, onto the dock, and into my and CM Mike's trucks using block and tackle. We then drove them to an auto garage in town and exchanged them for newer, heavier-duty batteries, returned and hoisted them into the hold, and placed them in the battery locker (basically a massive swap which was no easy task). Afterwards, I worked on some chafe gear for mooring lines and learned the “chinese fingers” technique. Throughout the day there were also miscellaneous tasks, of course. After work ,went to the Banker to have a coffe and check the internet for the first time. I saw Liam's blog, which is very well-written. Came back to PC for dinner, then returned to the Banker to set up my own blog, which will be the contents of this daily log. Came back to the PC, uploaded pictures to my computer, and started typing up this log so that I can just copy it to my blog when I get online again. Today was Yom HaZikaron, so I did have a minute of silence and now it is Yom HaAtzma'ut, which is cool. Can't really celebrate it too much, but it's good to know. Also, something I hadn't noted before; while it is quite tricky to keep kosher on board (and by kosher I mean my 1/2kosher kosher), Donald is great and makes sure that if there is pork, shellfish, or mixed meat and dairy I have an alternative, which I appreciate immensely. Anyway, just chugged some Diovol and hope I don't wake up with heartburn again. Almost forgot; at the end of the work day we did MOB (man overboard) introduction.
Sunday 18 April 2010
Picton Castle at Lunenburg; Sunday 18 April 2010 בס"ד
On Saturday, we were free until 1300 to move into the PC from our other temporary ships (except thos in the batcave, who moved into the Z). I moved into the starboard lower-forward rack. After lunch, we did a big domestics on Z and on CC, then reported to PC to do bracing drills. A bit confusing at first, but we picked it up quickly I think. After dinner, we did a big beerrun (three cases), and the brocave (aka “the jungle”) had a pregame case before heading to trivia at the Banker. I rejoined the FNG's and we dominated with 82 points (one question was about where to hang a mezuzah!). We won Harley Davidson MGD hats which look pretty trashy. Then we went to Z and had a revealing night of “never have I ever,” where everyone learned why I'm the Sandwich. We polished off all the beer very quickly and I came back a bit drunk and passed out. That's why there was no daily log entry for Saturday.
Today the weather was pretty shitty. Everyone split into small group and did their own thing. I did the dishes after lunch in the scullery, and then some domestics on Z before taking a few people on laundry runs. I threw my long johns, socks, underpants, and towel in and the laundromat has wash-n-fold service. Spent most afternoon getting my rack organized. Good news is I fit all my books in the sea chest, which I was unsure if I'd pull off. Did the dishes after dinner, then went to Z and played a hand of Crazy 8s. They had a movie night, but I passed and went to PC salon and studied and talked with Michael and Robert. Went over to the warehouse, took a quick shower, and came back to go to bed.
Friday 16 April 2010
Zebroid at Lunenburg; Friday 16 April 2010 בס"ד
Started the day with Z domestics, then had free time as the ship came out of drydock. I bought a bigger spike; one of the local handmade ones. Helped the ship moor just by pulling mooring lines. Then spent a good deal of time deck washing (aka swabbing the decks). Shawn and WT and I moved a big chest and used my truck to do it. Then WT and I drove to the hardware store and bought shower heads. Did more cleaning and organizing on PC, then we had our “official” signing-on ceremony, where we signed our names to a sheet and received some papers and a free hat. Quite nice. We then received our bunk assignments. I'll be spending the next 14 months in the forepeak, aka the “brocave,” since only younger men get it. In there will be me, Bard, Dan, Niko, Shawn, Dave, Davey, and some guy named Jimmy who hasn't yet arrived. Had another workshop at 1900, but I didn't really teach much this time. Afterwards we did a beerrun, had a mini party in the ultra-tropical Z batcave, then went to the Banker. After the Banker, tried going to the Knot, but they wouldn't let half the people in without ID's. Came back to Z for my final night here, then moving into the brocave by 1300.
Thursday 15 April 2010
Zebroid at Lunenburg; Thursday 15 April 2010 בס"ד
Very fun day today. Did a quick domestics on CC, although it was a bit challenging because the power tripped after breakfast. Then, Liam and I did quite a bit of tidying up in the warehouse. We even rode with CM Mike to drop off food we couldn't use at a church. After lunch, everybody went to PC to stow the anchor chains. We were taking turns pumping the windlass, but I got to go into the chain locker and help flake it out as it paid in. That was pretty awesome, and I was instantly covered in oil and tar, so I started to look like the pro crew. After that, I rust busted the shit out of the starboard anchor with Adrienne and AB Syrie. Then we covered in in Corrosealer, which goes on white and dried an indigo color. Then we learned proper brush cleaning methods and I did the aluminum primer brushes, which got quite a bit of aluminum on my hands. After dinner I hosted my own personal lanyard-tying workshop in the Z batcave. I taught about five people the 4-strand sennet, since I kick ass at it now. My new official name is Fred. Just hung out at Z and now going to bed.
Wednesday 14 April 2010
Zebroid at Lunenburg; Wednesday 14 April 2010 בס"ד
Today I worked at the warehouse packing books for the South Pacific. We sorted them out by age group and then size, made stacks of them, then put them in bags and taped them tightly into “bricks.” After lunch, I was working around the warehouse and the dory shop cleaning things up. We started to launch the small boats, but halfway through the weather turned sour and we brought them back in. At the end of the day, we had a BBQ at Plant 2. I finished the lanyards for my rig, and I can do them very quickly and accurately. I forgot the name of the braid, however.
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Zebroid at Lunenburg; Tuesday 13 April 2010 בס"ד
We finally started to get into the swing of things today. After breakfast the Zebroid crew was assigned to do domestics on both the Z and the CC. I did the CC, then Chief Mate Mike came to me and gave me a pair of steel-toe shoes and told me to report to the PC in drydock. When I arrived, Bosun double-T (or WT?) told me to rust bust for a bit and then I was reassigned to scrub the chains (anchor chains). We scrubbed down starboard anchor chains and then did lunch. During lunch I mailed the postcards I had written. After lunch we cleaned the chain locker, and then I wire brushed the rust off the stove in the galley and applied “stoveblack,” which obviously makes the stove black. After work we mustered and CM Mike gave us an intro lecture to our sail plan and rigging. Some of us had planned to play Ultimate again, but Dan and I just worked on our rigs, since we need lanyards and we could've used them a lot today. Then we went to the Banker and met up with the Ultimate group. Anyway, I had a pintof Keith's and now I'm going to take some NyQuil, put a breathing strip on my nose, and pass out. NOTE: my new name might be Fred.
Monday 12 April 2010
Zebroid at Lunenburg, Monday 12 April 2010 בס"ד
The official first day of our “program.” We had muster at 0700, a brief rundown with Captain, then the mates and AB's took her out of the dock and to the drydock down the street. We trainees watched from the dock and followed along to the drydock, which was cool. I saw the PC out of water, and she's bigger than I thought. Then I went to the drugstore and got some DayQuil since I now think it's a cold. After lunch there was a 1300 muster and we were split into gropus with AB's since there wasn't much to do. We just went over the handbooks and practiced knots. After diner a good-sized group of uswent to the field by the community center and played a sick game of Ultimate Frisbee. Quite a workout. Then we went to the Banker for a round and after I took my first shower so far. I used Lemon Joy as soap/shampoo. Tomorrow the Zebroid crew will do domestics for Z and CC.
Sunday 11 April 2010
Zebroid at Lunenburg, Sunday 11 April 2010 בס"ד
Didn't do much today. Drove to Bridgewater to find Benadryl for my pollen allergies but pharmacies are closed on Sunday. Last night I had a miserable sleep because of my runny nose. Jo lent me some Benadryl for tonight so I should pass out soon. I hope it's okay with the beers I just had at the Banker. Tomorrow we wake at 0615 and muster at 0700 on PC. Then she goes to drydock. Not sure what we'll do?
Saturday 10 April 2010
Zebroid at Lunenburg; Saturday 10 April 2010 בס"ד
Okay, yesterday I became part of a tight group on the Zebroid. Dan from Niagara Falls, Liam from UK/Ghana/Spain, Jo from Boston, Brad from Boston, Joanie from Seattle, Lorainne from El Paso, and Michael from Minnesota are all in the Zebroid “batcave.” We went to the Banker last nightwhere I enjoyed a “creme-de-Gurt.” The food Donald cooks is unexpectedly delicious and awesome. Today we went walking around town. I bought foulies at the grocery store and my rig at the PC shop from Maggie. More trainees arrived today and are staying aboard the Cape Chidley. Apparently, plans for the Zebroid are to overhaul her and covert her to a two-mast fore-and-aft rig vessel and have her in the Cook Islands by year's end, which seems pretty nuts since she's quite rusty and needs a lot of work. Anyway, we just got back from trivia night at the Banker, which was awesome. Our team, which was me, Liam, Lorainne, Tina, Cheri, Johanna (Yo), and Robert, came in second and we won several pint glasses and beanies (toques) and UFC keychains.
Friday 9 April 2010 (LUNENBURG)
Lunenburg, NS; Friday 9 April 2010 בס"ד
I left Pennsylvania yesterday at 1430 and arrived in Lunenburg today at about 1500. The trip was harder this time because I only had a two-hour nap in St. John, NB while I waited for the ferry and then another two-hour nap on the ferry. I was feeling feverish after the ferry ride and had a bad headache, which Motrin has fixed for now. Nicksa and Shawn are here, and Meredith gave me a tour. The Picton Castle is going to drydock, so I'm bunking in a commercial fishing ship called the Zebroid. The Cape Chidley is also assisting with the trainees' boarding. Right now I'm just laying in until dinner.
19 April 2010
Fred Before the Mast
So, I'm setting up a blog that I'll try to update every so often. I have gotten in the habit of jotting down the day's events in my log so I'll just transcribe it to my computer and post it whenever I get a chance to get online access. Right now I'm sitting comfortably in the "Grand Banker" pub across from the wharf where the Picton Castle is moored. For the record, since there are a number of guys named Mike (including the Chief Mate), I have been dubbed "Fred." My rack (bunk) is the lower forwardmost starboard in the forepeak. The forepeak is before the mast, therefore, I am now Fred Before the Mast. So, maybe in a day or two I'll have copied the contents of my daily log into the computer and then do a posting on the blog while I'm still in Lunenburg.
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