Day 16: Duty again and the weather stinks

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.  I know I managed to get back to the mother ship and have the families and friends over Easter Day for a great meal and some awesome company.  Hope we can do it again soon.

Back in Erie the weather maintains its normal Erie nonsense.  Had to go aloft to tune the t'gallant shrouds with some of the other crew.  I am starting to get the hang of going aloft but it was really windy, cold and raining today.  This was the slip for much of the morning...

Can you make anything out?  No?  Us neither. (Not an actual image of the slip - for the purpose of example only)

So on duty days the dood on duty doesn't get out as much as everyone else cause they gotta do dishes and prep for meals.  As a result I didn't have a ton to do today.  Here is a quick list...

1. dishes
2. render the t'gallant shrouds
3. dishes
4. watch to make sure stuff didn't get bound up while others lifted the fore t'gallant mast
5. dishes
6. make siezings for the main t'gallant backstays
7. cut the siezings for the main t'gallant backstays (yep you heard me right - put them on and minutes later had to cut them off.  I am totally OK with it but it takes me longer than everyone else to put them on and....let's just say I bet they're glad they aren't paying me...)
8. clean up

That pretty much sums up the day but I will have to do more dishes and then make a boat check - to make sure she isn't sinking - no really!

Bosun's Chair.  No clue why they call it this but the bosun's chair is a seat that is rigged in an area - like the middle of a line - where you cannot find purchase with your feet yet still need to work.  It is really just a swing without the...ahhhh...swing set part....it's just the seat part, sheesh!  Here is one of ours...

Not super easy to see but it is hanging from a takle in our rig shop.  How about one in action...

I have not yet got to do this but looks pretty intense.  You generally tie your own knot to hold the chair - you can probably guess why.

Thought I would introduce you to some of the other crew I am working with.  I won't get carried away but I will give you a couple choice quotes from each crew member...

This is Nicholas Brown...

When I asked if he would be my first victim he said, "Can it be subpoenaed?"  That about sums up Nick.  It is his third year on Niagara and he has helped me a lot in my short time here, including making me laugh - regularly.  He is bright and quick witted and sees himself working in sailing at least for a while.

Tomorrow:  Cyrus.

I'll pick up the pace a bit, I promise.  Friday should be very interesting.  A local financial company is having a carnival at the ship and I think I will be helping to police the ship and museum.  I'll keep you in the loop.

Ahoy!