Hello to all my followers!
I was enjoying a sabbatical, being a Research Dog (Accessibility of lamp posts in mainland Europe, you remember) but I’ve been told to have a sabbatical from my sabbatical and report on the progress of Lady Christina and crew, currently on their seventh season afloat in The NL. Reluctantly, I agreed. Those lamp posts will have to wait a little longer.
The Crew were back in the UK for ten days, which gave me time to think. I heard they were yarning away about their prowess, the capability of the vessel and life in Europe generally, so I thought it was time to (ahem) take the wind out of their sails.
I sprang the Seamanship, Signals and Rules of the Road, assessment on them on Day One! You see me here studying their proposed Passage. To make things more interesting, I took control of the weather (I’m not letting on how!) and dialled up some strong, gusty winds with rain showers plus some hail for good measure. ‘That’ll larn’em!’
I was pleased to say that they correctly timed their departure according to the conditions and effected a good ‘get-off’ from their mooring. They wisely decided to re-asses their route once they reached the Sneekamer, according to the conditions. Passage Planning – passed.
The Skipper used the ship’s horn to give audible warning of his approach. Signals – passed.
The crew wore the correct gear – in this case full waterproofs and sailing boots, plus sailing safety harnesses, hats and gloves and clipped onto the vessel when the water got rough. Safety -passed.
I organised a freight barge to pass in front of them on the Pikmaar and another one to unexpectedly emerge from a side channel later. Crew member on the helm took appropriate action. Also avoided causing any problem to young people in dinghies. Rules of the road – passed.
There is a convention when on the water to offer whatever assistance you can if another vessel needs it and it is safe for you to do so. I arranged for a sailing dinghy to lose her boom and submerge her sails on the Sneekamer, in windy and rough conditions, taking on water in the process. Another vessel reached the distressed dinghy before our Intrepid Crew, who wisely didn’t interfere. So that task remains for another day. Offering assistance – postponed.
I’m pleased to report though, that the crew of the dinghy passed their bailing excess water, securing help and taking on a towing rope tasks.
I’m happy to sign off the Crew of Lady Christian for competency and accompany them on their voyage to Utrecht and up the Issjl.
Lady Christina is a small vessel (8m long) and so the Crew have to each cover several jobs. The Skipper is also the Sailing Master, so can often be heard talking to himself. The other Crew member is Cook, Safety Officer, Navigator, Quartermaster and Deckhand. Because the Skipper sometimes also does some of these roles, the Crew’s application for quadruple pay has been refused. But I am insisting that all on board have a beer later (they can pay for it themselves – I’m not made of money!)
N.B. The Sea Dogs’ Pension Fund has experienced some difficulties, so I’d like you to support my application for extra funds. I will need to treat my Sea Dogs pals to a night on the town eventually and this sort of thing isn’t cheap. The Skipper has been notoriously mean about this so far. But if he wants me to continue overseeing the voyage and taking the overnight Watch, every night, he needs to have a rethink.
Remember to chew every bone one hundred times.
Yaf-yaf. TZ xx