The Big Off
One of the things I love about this crew is the camaraderie that has given birth to humorous turns of phrases and nicknames. I learned of one this morning.
We are a crew of 5 but one of the conditions of my coming aboard was that I wouldn’t be required to sit a watch. So I was only on the fringe of discussions about the watch schedule. The crew decided on 3 hour watches.
Last November, Dave and Bernie crewed on s/v Lorena from Hampton to Antigua in the Salty Dawg Rally. Bernie had photographed the watch schedule put out by their captain. Apparently this schedule, based on four crew with three hour watches, is arranged such that every 5 days you get an 18 hour break. They both liked it enough that we adopted the schedule on Circe.
It was Dave that coined the phrase “The Big Off” to identify this 18 hour span free from any watch. So this morning, instead of being on watch, Bernie is in the middle of his Big Off. I suppose the idea is the sailor can catch up on sleep. But not my Captain! No, he filled the galley with the scent of yeast and a layer of flour while making two loaves of fresh bread. When I woke, the smell of fresh bread greeted me.
I think I like the Big Off.
Jokingly, Barry said The Big Off could also apply to our fresh water pump - off for the last 15 days.
That Big Off I don’t like so much.
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