Tall Ships Race 2 La Coruna - Antwerp : 8th Aug 2006 - 17th Aug

Voyage Crew Blogs

PW 351 Tall Ships Race 2 La Coruna - Antwerp

DAY ONE  Tuesday 8th August

The whole team arrived in La Coruna on the same flight from Heathrow, and were met by their watch leaders and the rest of the crew. We were picked up by coach and driven to the port where we got our first glance at our home for the next thirteen nights.

After being given our numbers and put into watches we joined the Crew parade round La Coruna with flags and pan lids to make as much noise as possible. My feet hurt from standing so long as the parade took forever! At the end of the parade we arrived in the town square and saw the prize giving from the previous leg of the journey.

Back at the ship we were given a talk by the Captain about Health and Safety.

Then it was on to the crew party at the indoor stadium in La Coruna so we all walked along for something to eat and drink. I had to leave at 9.30pm because I had watch at 10!

Emily Ryan White Watch

Whilst Emily was on watch the rest of us finished off at the beach: Avril, Lisa, Oisin and Andy. After wandering along the beach we headed back to the ship and ended up completely lost in the back alleys amongst all the night life. Since we felt sorry for Emily stuck on watch we went to get her a present and ended up back at the ship at 11.30pm with sweets and a bucket and spade for Emily.

Ryan Jiskoot White Watch

Today we took the plane from Heathrow to La Coruna at 11.45am. We arrived in Spain at 2.30pm local time and were met by a coach that took us to the port and the Prince William.

After unpacking our belongings we were given a welcoming talk by the Captain and introduced to the permanent and volunteer crew. We were then assigned to watches; Avril and Tim in Blue watch and Olivia in Red watch.  Following a brief safety talk, we were signed onto the ship and given a guided tour.

At 5pm all the crew from all of the ships in port met in the streets of La Coruna and paraded towards a central square, where a presentation of awards for the winners of the previous leg took place.

Food and drink were laid on in the local sports centre and the evening was free for doing what we wished. Curfew 11.30pm.

Tim Oliver and Avril Leonard, Blue Watch; Olivia Cauley, Red Watch

DAY TWO   Wednesday 9th August

Tim was woken at 4am for an hour’s watch and then again at 6am for mess duty, and therefore spent most of the day washing dishes and serving food.

The rest of the day was spent training and listening to safety talks.

During lunch, while Tim was busy dishing up, Avril and Olivia and the rest of the crew took it in turns to have a talk on helming, learn about the ropes and go “up and over”; climbing the standing rigging up to the course yard and then down the opposite side.

Red Watch then set one of the sails as practise, but as the wind picked up, the crew then had to hand it.

Shore leave in the evening was from 7.30pm until midnight and at 11.30pm there was a fireworks display from one of the jettys.

Tim Oliver and Avril Leonard, Blue Watch; Olivia Cauley, Red Watch.

DAY THREE  Thursday 10th August

After waking up and eating our last breakfast in La Coruna we prepared ourselves for the second leg of the Tall Ships Race. With the start of the race looming we were given a seamanship lecture on handing the sails before helping the ship berthed next us, Alexander VH take on last minute provisions.

At 10.45 local time, waving goodbye to the spectators at the port, we hauled in the gangway and set off for the holding area with White Watch on the bridge; Rebecca at the helm, Ciaran at port lookout and Charlie at starboard lookout.

Throughout the morning  we practised our bracing stations, had Happy hour (much to the dismay of many ABBA was played repeatedly for an entire hour over the tannoy) and some of us practised our slippery clove hitches.

We started racing at 17.00 by which time many crew members and even the Youth Mentors and Watch Leaders were hit by sea-sickness, which for most of us lasted the entire day due to the choppy sea and very high winds.

However, overall it was a successful first day’s sailing and we managed to put Prince William in a good racing position. White Watch have had an enjoyable day (bar the sea-sickness) getting to know each other. Now that we’ve finished our watch we are off to bed to catch up on sleep before another busy day tomorrow.

  

DAY FOUR   Friday 11th August

One very seasick crew – no diary entry for today!!

 DAY 5    Saturday 12th  August

The day started with an abrupt wake up call at 12am, only to stand on the open bridge on the Biscay’s high seas, guarding the glamorous Princess Williamina (as renamed by the White Watch girlies) from the deadly PipSqueaks (aka Pirates).

The thought of bracing stations having slaved for four hours in the midst of the night was all but horrendous. To top it all off, we were rudely awoken by the Red Watch know-it-alls who – surprise, surprise – got it all wrong and realised in fact that it should have been Blue Watch that was woken.

A short hop and a skip later, another four hours of slavery loomed – that is, sitting eating biscuits whilst waking up the Captain with our renditions of sailor songs and naughty jokes.

More excitement bounced our way when Spudniks – mushroom/jellyfish – were spotted some way off the Invisible Rock of Biscay. On completion of yet another watch.

To entertain us, an expert violinist delighted us with a sparking rendition of a song, and then the same song, played again at different tempos throughout the course of the evening – marvellous stuff. White watch enjoyed a bit of a jig to this rather interesting music, and then retired to our cots to catch a much appreciated forty winks.

The whole of White Watch

DAY 6   Sunday 13th August

We reluctantly dragged ourselves out of bed, consuming as much sugar as humanely possible to get us through the night watch. We danced, we sang, and pulled on some very lovely ropes (we love our ropes!) – and made far too much noise for the Captain!

By 2am the sugar had converted to boundless amounts of energy; this combined with overtiredness resulted in the watch comparing the accents of the world – crikey! Aussi, le mer est tout le monde – revelation of the day!

Watch over 4am Sunday morning and definitely bedtime – again! This was short lived when we were woken up ay 6am for bracing stations that didn’t exist.

On our 6pm-8pm watch, after our most excellent Sunday roast dinner, Captain Liam displayed his disgust at our wonderful singing by clutching a baseball bat and clapping it in his hands (with a big grin) – we didn’t think we were that bad!

The whole of White Watch

Sleep deprivation masked the start of the daily routine.

Being woken by fellow watch members in the middle of deep sleep meant, as much as one would like to take out their frustration on the presiding waking authority, seeing that we were all in the same boat meant that one would simply hold back in venting one’s misplaced wrath.

Anyhow vested with the trust and faith of 57 crew members, the Red watch totters along to the bridge for our 4 o’clockwatch. With such immense responsibility resting on our shoulders the lookouts are posted at port and starboard sides and the helmsman takes over.

The cloud cover meant that the moonlight would evade us for the rest of the four hour watch although the presence of Prince William’s Chief Officer Stuart ended up being one of our Beacons of Hope in our relentless struggle to stay awake through the night.

Manjot Doad,  Red Watch

DAY SEVEN   Monday 14th August

Today on Prince William we have a goal in mind – to reach the way point.

Having had Blue watch set the standard last night with skilful helming, Red watch proceeded to let the crew down by driving the ship backwards.

Now with all the sails (well, nearly all) we are heading a course of 050 degrees and doing the magnificent speed of nearly 2 knots.

Due to the lack of wind we are devising new forms of entertainment. Currently, comparing bums in harnesses is the favourite. Andy is the winner, due to extreme clenching.

A levels results day is fast looming – all those concerned are trying to forget it but the worry is there at the back of our minds.

First Aid purser Crispin gave a fascinating talk on old school surgery; coverings subjects such as amputations and the treatment of infectious diseases commonly contracted by 18th century sailors…which had some crew members looking concerned. In relation to this the Captain reminded certain members of the crew what the definition of appropriate behaviour actually was (we know who they are!).

An ode to Prince William:-

                                                Ahoy Avast Arr

                                                There be Prince William

                                                The white brig proud

                                                With sails set high

                                                Watched by a crowd

                                                Unfortunately the wind is lacking

                                                Therefore all the sails are backing

                                                But thanks to Blue watches excellent steering

                                                The words “land ahoy” we will soon be hearing

Later…..

We have now become completely becalmed…

Various strategies, including harnessing dolphins and seagulls have now been put forward (and rejected!).

During the break between watches we decorated our boat with Haribo wrappers.

Following this we prepared for the unusual creature activity by dressing Andy up in women’s clothing (which he seemed to like), and using a harness and backpack to strap Rachel to his front in the fashion of a kangaroo (which she also seemed to quite like).

We had a talk on the rights of way of various vessels. It seems that the general rule is don’t take on anything bigger than yourself.

The whole of Blue Watch

DAY EIGHT   Tuesday 15th August

I cannot stop singing. The music on board appears for one hour a day and consequently I am musically deprived. The songs we do get cater for the more “mature taste” (i.e. permanent crew) – ABBA features quite heavily, we’ve even had a rendition of White Christmas.

We are having a murder mystery on board which I am finding very, very exciting.

I woke up afraid that I was going to be killed, but then I remembered that I also have the power, so a formed a plan….a very cunning plan…..

My victim – Ben the Bosun/Pirate. My weapon – a Hawaiian shirt. The crime scene – the bowsprit. It was tricky, but I managed to kill Ben. I lured him to the bowsprit with the innocent claim that I didn’t know how to get on it, and needed him to show me.

Then, when he was least expecting it, I whipped out the shirt and he fell to the floor – dead as a dead dodo! Ben tried to claim that the shirt was not authentically Hawaiian, but I think we all know the truth.

As for my next victim, only time will tell…..

The end of the race was called today at 7.00am due to lack of wind, but I don’t know yet where we finished. So next stopAntwerp, where we are going to have a party!

I am now sitting in the mess watching Dumb and Dumber which has a very good soundtrack. I am also eating chocolate icing..

I’ve made some lovely friends on this ship and we have a giggle. In Red watch we are like the Spice Girls in every way, even the boys! We have Scary – Manjot, Ginger – Emily, Sporty – Sarah, Posh – Olivia and baby – me, Lucy. Richard, our watch leader is the Manager. The boys are our backing dancers – they sing and dance on the platform behind the bridge – it’s wicked.

I’m turning into a proper Geordie with all the Geordies I’m surrounded by. In my head its all “Wye eye man” – I love it.

Lucy Angier   Red Watch

DAY NINE   Wednesday 16th August

The day started on its usual note, with the Captain’s daily “poo” chat, on unreported whistlers and the correct way to deal with them.

Today was a very educational day, with Ian’s (3rd officer) giving a lecture on buoyage. (Much of what was said in the remainder of this paragraph has unfortunately had to be edited, but suffice to say that several young ladies of the crew found this lecture particularly entertaining).

Many of the crew stowed the headsails and found themselves in the midst of storm at the bow of the “Princess Willamena” with no waterproofs to protect them from Mother Nature…

We also learned how to splice ropes – not quite sure why – but we’re sure this new found skill will come in handy sometime, or maybe they were just trying to keep us out of trouble. Just in case the permanent crew DO read this …White watch of course feel that this has been a thoroughly rewarding, pleasurable and exhilarating day (too much sugar White watch !!!!), and we have learned a great deal.

We ended the day with our presentation on those rare and beautiful creatures, Red Zip-Breasted Mumblegots (aka Ryan and Jimmy in immersion suits, complete with full make up and handbags). Our intrepid explorer, Ciaran McIntyre, explained their key characteristics to a fascinated audience, in particular their ear fondling mating ritual, the details of which are better left to your imagination.

The sunset provided a wonderful opportunity for pictures and the red sky was very calming for these anxious voyagers awaiting their A-level results the following morning…

The whole of White watch.

DAY TEN   Thursday 17th August

It’s the 17th August and the long awaited AS/A – level results day today.
There are lots of anxious people on board. At present our helmsman is trying hard not to crash into any of the numerous large container ships overtaking us, as Blue watch are in charge of the bridge during the morning meeting
We’d probably be swimming now if it wasn’t for Blue watch – leaving “pink” (white + red) watch in charge could well be fatal……
Acknowledging our superiority a squadron of dolphins performed a 12 flip salute as we took the bridge returning the vessel to the correct course. It will be tough, but we will try and get to Antwerp on time.
Currently we are under motor and heading through the traffic lanes of the English channel. With the race now over a relaxed feel has come over the Prince William and all are just looking to enjoy the last few days at sea before we get to port and the party begins. However, this is not the case for all of our merry band of sailors, as it is results day, and a few anxious faces were visible round the breakfast table.

Inter-watch competitions are in full flow – at least for us – pink watch are trailing miles behind with Blue watch practically unassailable (Really? Watch this space – YM).

Later…
We have spent the remainder of the day running up and down masts, putting sails up and taking them down again. We were all sleeping peacefully in our bunks when our fearless leaders decided that a man overboard drill was in order. Unfortunately, by the time the dummy was recovered, it had lost all vital signs…..oh dear..

We finally had curry for tea, which is everyone’s favourite. Chris (BWL) managed to eat pretty much an entire bottle of mango chutney to the dismay (but not surprise) of everyone else at the table.

This evening we had another boat race. We were obviously cheated out of a deserved victory by crooked youth tormentors – perhaps they thought that flagging pink watch needed some help and a boost to morale. (Note: all results were fair and even handed. We are sorry that Blue watch are poor losers – YM’s)

At the moment Chris (BWL) is trying to pump yet more boaty information into the watch. I think he is trying to convert us into his own personal navy so he can conquer France or somewhere. Chris is also wearing a pirate hat whilst doing this, and looks really quite disturbing…

Also, a very tense game of cards is going on between Louis, Andy and Lisa, whilst Rachel tries to explain her disturbing foot fetish….alas it cannot be justified.

The whole of Blue Watch