The Rain Offshore of Spain

2,360 views | January 29th, 2020

In today’s blog, we find out how the crew dry their base layers (this is a watersport afterall) and cope a midnight shift on watch.

The crew managing their best in the rain

Tuesday’s blog

The rain has stopped, least for now. It seemed to be raining on every watch for the last two days. Watches were cold and long and volunteers to do the log, make tea or do tasks below decks therefore plentiful. Now with a break in the rain, the crew is finding ways to dry its base layers – the most effective seems to be sleeping in them and the glove tree has appeared again below decks. It’s a glamorous life!

Night watches start with a wake up call 25 mins in advance because it takes that long to get dressed and struggle into foulies and attempt to get a hot drink before getting on deck. These watches (especially the 1 am to 4 am slot) are often conducted in pitch blackness, moon and stars hidden by clouds) with the helmsman’s world extending no further than the windex or compass, with no real visibility to the fore of the boat. Checks on AIS provide reassurance that there are no vessels nearby. Despite this boat speeds of over 8 knots are being achieved.

Talk has started to turn to the pleasures awaiting us in Falmouth such as fish and chips, west country cider and six nations rugby – but we have some days to go yet.

Time to get back on deck!

p.s. it’s (expletive) raining again!

Position at 29 Jan 0600

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