WRITTEN BY THE CREW
ON LEG TWO FROM AZORES TO ANTIGUA WITH COPERNICUS MARINE SERVICE
What shift are we on?
We are working on a rotating watch system with always 4 hours on and then 8 hours off. We are split into three teams that together with one professional crew member (they have 3h on and 6h off watches) take care of everything that needs to be done. Sailing, cooking, cleaning. The watches change every day (in a 3-day rhythm) and we never seem to know what time we are on. It is hard to say which shift is the best one. At night when the moon and the stars come out everybody is just gazing up in the sky, between midnight at 4 am it is a great time for talks and stories and in the morning when the sun rises there is an incomparable sensation of freedom, kindness and gratefulness. During the day the main thoughts revolve around question number 2…
Photo credit: Erica Cirino & eXXpedition
What are we having for lunch/dinner?
Food is a major topic on the boat. And it is everywhere! In every corner, behind every bench, under each bunk! We have loads of fresh food and the challenge of the team responsible for cooking is to use the vegetables and fruits that go off soon to prepare a delicious meal. Everybody has done a great job so far and we had real feasts each day, lunch and dinner time. Always topped with the hot sauce of the day recommendation of Anna. In between there are cookies, crackers, tea, juices, chocolate, toasts, etc.
Photo credit: Erica Cirino & eXXpedition
Photo credit: Erica Cirino & eXXpedition
Who is doing the log?
Every hour somebody needs to go down and do an entry in the logbook. This means taking note of our course, speed, wind, sea state, cloud, weather, latitude and longitude and also notes of battery and barometer. Not to miss the notes about what has been done with sails, changes of watches and fun facts about what was talked about, what was for dinner, etc. Making our skipper laugh a little when she goes through it.
Photo credit: Erica Cirino & eXXpedition