Log:
Thursday 1st December AM - tour of Vigo's Castro de (Castle) with fellow Challenger 2 crew. Boarded Challenger 2 at 13:00 PM @ Vigo Marina and helped get it ready for Sail.
Day 6 Fri. 2nd Dec. AM Engine Repaired. Challenger 2 Set sail 13:09 hours Course 223. F3
What did we do?
An advance party of experienced crew volunteered to help get the yacht moved from its overnight mooring to another pontoon in Vigo (Spain) Marina.
The remainder of us decided that as the sun was shining we should take a team building visit to the Vigo Castile. Beautiful spot and some great vistas of the whole of Vigo & a bite to eat.
We then made our way to the Marina with our kit and boarded Challenger 2; our new home for the next Seven days. Eagerly anticipating our sailing adventure.
We set about familiarising ourselves with life on board. We were split into 2 watches - Port and Starboard. I was part of Port watch with Rob as our Watchleader. Everyone was to muck in with cooking & cleaning as well as the sailing duties. Yes, including cleaning the Heads (toilets!)
I unpacked my stuff into my allocated single box / crate. (50cm long x40 wide by 27cm high and about the same again to store my bag and other stuff. No space for any luxuries! I was sharing a cabin with 3 other ladies, 3 berths on one side of a 2 foot aisle, 2 on the other. 4 occupied. I was in the middle bunk of a stack of 3 berths (hammocks stacked on top of each other.) the bottom one was occupied, top one was spare. Bottom left pic. Is me by my bunk. Very cosy!
We were operating a watch system (bottom middle pic. for our rota) and would only have about 20 minute notice from waking to the start of our shift we had to work out quick easy access to everything we needed in the dark. Three of our cabin were 'Port Watch' the other was on 'Starboard' Watch so we would have to be organised for a quick and quiet change of watch.
Two of our crew were super organised and used the set up time to cook the day 2 & 3 evening meals so raw meat was cooked. Wise move as fridge had limited capacity.
Rob gave us a basic Yacht tour and H&S induction. Plus a few lessons in knots.
We had our first briefing from the Skipper with all of us working together for the first afternoon. Great fun finding our way round with us slotting into roles to support with hoisting sails, tidying the snake pit, getting tea / coffee for 15 from one tiny galley kitchen. Mama Bear excelled in getting us organised.
We were all kitted out with full wet weather great. Salopettes, waterproof off-shore coat, life-jacket. I also brought my own wellies, sailing gloves, warm sailing hat.
What did I learn & observe?
You see so much more when you share an experience with others. My fellow crew spotted Challenger 2 in the marina as one had already visited the Marina the day before and knew the layout. Elouise highlighted the beautiful sunset & reflections.
Practise makes perfect, and keep practising!! You need to know how to do a bowline in your sleep!
Smiles & laughter are contagious!
Age and professional seniority are a totally irrelevant indicator of capability. Sailing is a fantastic leveller. What matters is your ability to share your knowledge and experience and for successful teamwork; your willingness to listen and learn, to help & respect others and see the best in people. We had an amazing professional crew (Skipper and First Mate) & 2 great watch leaders and the majority of the rest of the crew had significant sailing experience. I was one of the least experienced on-board so I had a great opportunity to learn lots from the others.
Day 1 at sea... 45 minutes below deck in rolling seas, whilst trying to cook seafood paella at 45 degree angle is my time limit before feeling as sick as a dog!
Once you are out in the high winds and waves, you can get very cold and wet so lots of layers essential. Top tip from the experienced crew: putting on wet clothes to go on deck is preferable to ensure you keep your sleepwear dry rather than ending up with no dry sleepwear.
You have to be very organised in knowing exactly where your kit is and religiously put it away in the right place as .you also have to be incredibly quick in getting changed. More about the challenges of sea sickness later!! Incredible first sailing day! Many more to come with lots of challenges and adventures! Keep tuned!
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