At Sea
Our first morning of the voyage saw us off the eastern coast of St Lucia, well positioned for a full day's sailing. At 0900 hours the 'yards were braced' and the crew 'hit the rig', that is they 'went aloft' by climbing the ratlines, loosened the gaskets and unfurled the sails. Wind conditions were such that a large area of sail could be unfurled, although as was explained, since some sails contradict each other, the only time that all the sails are set simultaneously is when the ship is becalmed and a photo is required! Expedition Leader Tom O'Brien took to the microphone on the Lido Deck to provide commentary as fore course, main course, jibs and spanker were trimmed in succession. We were beginning to "learn the ropes" - with the aid of a sail diagram - a process the Captain explained takes at least two weeks for a new crew member to accomplish. It was wonderful, not to say unnerving, to watch the crew climb high into the rigging and walk out along the yards. With all lines secured we could only gape in admiration as the crew went below after what was just another morning's work.
For many, the ship is as much as the destination as the itinerary on this voyage, although the itinerary has been carefully crafted to combine maximum sailing with stunning expedition stops at some of most beautiful and still undeveloped hideaways of the Caribbean.
Today the emphasis was on the ship, and as a full moon rose behind the sails as they were being doused in the late evening we knew that we were in for a treat. In the evening the Captain introduced a selection of his crew and officers. Then he invited us to join him in the elegant dining room below for his Welcome Dinner, as we made our way towards our first port of call in Dominica.
Our first morning of the voyage saw us off the eastern coast of St Lucia, well positioned for a full day's sailing. At 0900 hours the 'yards were braced' and the crew 'hit the rig', that is they 'went aloft' by climbing the ratlines, loosened the gaskets and unfurled the sails. Wind conditions were such that a large area of sail could be unfurled, although as was explained, since some sails contradict each other, the only time that all the sails are set simultaneously is when the ship is becalmed and a photo is required! Expedition Leader Tom O'Brien took to the microphone on the Lido Deck to provide commentary as fore course, main course, jibs and spanker were trimmed in succession. We were beginning to "learn the ropes" - with the aid of a sail diagram - a process the Captain explained takes at least two weeks for a new crew member to accomplish. It was wonderful, not to say unnerving, to watch the crew climb high into the rigging and walk out along the yards. With all lines secured we could only gape in admiration as the crew went below after what was just another morning's work.
For many, the ship is as much as the destination as the itinerary on this voyage, although the itinerary has been carefully crafted to combine maximum sailing with stunning expedition stops at some of most beautiful and still undeveloped hideaways of the Caribbean.
Today the emphasis was on the ship, and as a full moon rose behind the sails as they were being doused in the late evening we knew that we were in for a treat. In the evening the Captain introduced a selection of his crew and officers. Then he invited us to join him in the elegant dining room below for his Welcome Dinner, as we made our way towards our first port of call in Dominica.
