Main Menu -> SALTS -> 2010 SALTS Summer Programme -> 2010 Trip 2 - Pacific Swift -> July 22nd 2010 @ 17:33
2010 Trip 2 - Pacific Swift
tracking Pacific Swift: 8 recorded positions
| Last Position: 48°51'29.16 N 123°15'50.40 W on July 22nd 2010 @ 17:33 |
Ship's Log:
Waking early with starboard watch at 0530 it was hard not to feel disappointed as the dawning light touched calm seas all around us. It seemed the forecast of strong winds for today was misplaced. Undeterred, starboard watch proceeded to weigh anchor and start morning clean-up.
Slipping out of tribune bay a hint of breeze began to show on the horizon. By 0700 it was apparent the breeze was indeed on its way.
Starboard watch wasted no time, leaping to the shrouds to loose the topsail and setting up the courses on deck. By the time the other watches turned out we were doing a brisk 8.5 knots in the morning sun as the swell surged beneath the Swift. What morning would be complete without a pre-breakfast mainsail haul and a little maintopsail to follow? Bolstered by the extra hands and sails we were soon skipping along at 10 knots. It was a wonderful sail and there was lots of great sailhandling; raising and dousing sail, gybing, jiggering and all manner of grunt work to help us run off our long run south to the Gulf Islands.
Everyone is doing an excellent job working the ship and it was a joy to push her and see trainees steering in tricky situations, trimming sail and working aloft to get the most out of today“s opportunity. Our top speed running south was a fine 11 knots. The long run allowed people to catch a nap, work on secret friend presents, study and enjoy the experience. When we crossed the distinct line where the Fraser River flows into the strait we were greeted and joined by 10 or so playful porpoises. Our companions surfed the swells alongside and kept us on our toes as they darted to and fro under the ship, cruising effortlessly beneath the waves to pop up and dash back for another pass. It was a marvelous run under sail that finds us now anchored in Campbell Bay for the night. Today is ship Sunday. We will be having a delicious meal of roast beef, yorkshires, mashed potatoes and all the requisite fixin“s, all prepared by our great cooks between their trips to the topsails and efforts on deck. This evening we will have a service beneath the setting sun and rising moon, well sated from the hard work and roast beast.
Slipping out of tribune bay a hint of breeze began to show on the horizon. By 0700 it was apparent the breeze was indeed on its way.
Starboard watch wasted no time, leaping to the shrouds to loose the topsail and setting up the courses on deck. By the time the other watches turned out we were doing a brisk 8.5 knots in the morning sun as the swell surged beneath the Swift. What morning would be complete without a pre-breakfast mainsail haul and a little maintopsail to follow? Bolstered by the extra hands and sails we were soon skipping along at 10 knots. It was a wonderful sail and there was lots of great sailhandling; raising and dousing sail, gybing, jiggering and all manner of grunt work to help us run off our long run south to the Gulf Islands.
Everyone is doing an excellent job working the ship and it was a joy to push her and see trainees steering in tricky situations, trimming sail and working aloft to get the most out of today“s opportunity. Our top speed running south was a fine 11 knots. The long run allowed people to catch a nap, work on secret friend presents, study and enjoy the experience. When we crossed the distinct line where the Fraser River flows into the strait we were greeted and joined by 10 or so playful porpoises. Our companions surfed the swells alongside and kept us on our toes as they darted to and fro under the ship, cruising effortlessly beneath the waves to pop up and dash back for another pass. It was a marvelous run under sail that finds us now anchored in Campbell Bay for the night. Today is ship Sunday. We will be having a delicious meal of roast beef, yorkshires, mashed potatoes and all the requisite fixin“s, all prepared by our great cooks between their trips to the topsails and efforts on deck. This evening we will have a service beneath the setting sun and rising moon, well sated from the hard work and roast beast.
Observations:
sunny, 20 C, smells of roast beef, anchored
Readings:
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| Wind | |
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