Training Day 2
IT’S amazing to see how quickly people, and particularly young people, Settle into a routine. Less than 24 hours into watches of four on, four off at night, Sixes during the day and I have yet to hear a “don’t want to get up, I am tired”. The odd “my watch was earlier, don’t wake me” just Shows how confused people are when you wake them after four hours of Sleep to Sit in the dark. Our twelve young crew member have already impressed me with how much interest, enthusiasm and initiative they Show, jumping at the chance of even Small jobs like doing the dishes and keeping the log. While this might Seem mundane and unimportant, it makes my job as a watch leader much easier, since I can then delegate and focus on other things like helming practice or sail hoists/drops. Even though surely everybody has a different idea of what they want to get out of this voyage, without a doubt every one of our crew will benefit hugely showing this attitude.
Of course, the first few days offshore always feel a bit messy – why Should I go lay in a Semi-dark, Semi-comfortable bunk if I could be Sat on deck, enjoying the Sunshine? – well, because four hours of Sleep just isn’t enough. Additionally, we have people from very different cultures on board, and getting used to the patterns of boat life takes up a lot of energy. Also, each one of us, and that includes me, has to reposition ourselves on this boat, on this crew, and find out who we are in relationship to the others.
Throughout the night watches and the Sunny morning watch, though, it’s been a pleasure to See our crew interact with each other, Start asking questions about family and friends, and overcoming any language barrier with music, Signs and a Smile. For me as a foreigner myself it is amazing to see cultures coming together, and people connecting – and my experience sailing is one of the best ways of making that happen. Within the watches, people need to find ways of making things happen, and communication happens naturally. Thus having broken the ice, is then a logical consequence to keep talking, sharing, and enjoying together. This then quickly spills over in between watches as well, and by the time we arrive back in Las Palmas roughly 38h after slipping lines, we will certainly have become one crew to cross the Atlantic together – and enjoy it!
Anna Jacob - WL