A day in the Caribbean

Ship: Johnny
Date: 26.12.2024
Position: Near Canouan
Nautical Position: 12° 42.5’ N 061° 19.8’ W
Etmal: 103 nm
Total Distance: 3138 nm

Yesterday evening and this night we were on watch with both sides, so eight people instead of three or four. This drastic measure was enforced because the captain was expecting irregular winds due to two volcanoes in St. Lucia.

We could quickly take the sails away, but luckily there were no excessively strong winds. Most people could sleep during their watch because the officers only needed four people on active duty while the rest could sleep, but they needed to be ready at all times.

I currently have the 04:00 to 08:00 watch and I was meant to sleep, but it wasn’t possible. First, we had to open the sails because we were too fast (top speed of eight knots). But it wasn’t enough — we still arrived one hour early to the anchoring ground. So, we had an “all hands” call at six in the morning to quickly take the sails down and it went really well.

Before that, Vera and I had to empty the black water tanks at five o’clock because we’re in the mechanics team and can’t empty them while we’re anchoring. After breakfast we had to set the sun sails, which are supposed to perfectly fit our boat, but this is a lie because they don’t really fit. During this time, the dinghy teams lowered the dinghies into the water.

After the mess room was cleaned, we could go swimming and drive the dinghy, while Volker and Jacob went to the airport to inform the authorities that we are here and want to go ashore. When they came back, we were allowed to go on the island.

Some students shuttled us to shore because not everyone wanted to go today. On the island, we were supposed to hike over a mountain and on the other side, there was supposed to be a beach with a reef. However, we discovered that half the island is a big hotel area. So, we had to find another way to the beach and luckily, a local showed us the way.

There were lots of turtles on the island. On the beach, we found some of the people from the Reggie, who were there during their free shore leave. There, we tried to get some coconuts and went snorkeling, but except for Benni, who saw a ray, we didn’t see anything.

In the evening, the adults went ashore, so we had the whole ship to ourselves. But we won’t say what happened. 😉

Greetings:

Paul: Danke für die Weihnachtspost, ich bin leider noch nicht zum Lesen gekommen.