Crew Blog

Rules

18 June 2008

When I joined the race in Santa Cruz, my mind was crammed full of everything I had learned during my 3 weeks of training for this ‘challenge of a lifetime’.  What I hadn’t bargained for was a whole new set of rules that apply just to New York Clipper This isn’t an exhaustive list but here are some:

1. This rule involves the wrap net. For the uninitiated, the wrap net looks like a very large old man’s vest, or something made out of macrame, and is hoisted to prevent the spinnaker from wrapping itself around the forestay. It is notorious for getting tangled and can take hours to put straight. (see picture)
The rule goes:
Do not mess with the wrap net.
Do NOT mess with the wrap net.
Do not get yourself wrapped in the wrap net.
The wrap net will take as long as it takes.
Three people to the wrap net.
If this is your first time with the wrap net, you have to wrap it.
2. Do not stack the bowls.  Nate, when on mother watch, forbids crew from stacking bowls because it means he has to wash the underside as well!
3. Do not wash the rice, do not soak the rice and definitely DO NOT stir the rice.
4. Don’t enter the galley when Al is on mother – it is his domain and no one is allowed in.
5. Don’t sit on the cushions in the saloon with foul weather gear on, whether wet or dry.
6. Don’t take hot drinks on deck. It is guaranteed that if hot drinks are brought up, then an immediate manoeuvre is required (by Duggie).
7. Do not touch the Nutella – that is specifically for Duggie and no one else.
8. Give all meals a liberal dose of hot chilli sauce.
9. Wake everybody up for a gybe – this will ensure a change in wind direction.
10. When checking the spinnaker at the end of a race, whoever finds a hole in the sail has to mend it (not really an incentive for finding holes!)
11. When waking Nate, make sure his ear plugs are out and you have a coherent conversation with him but do not touch his feet.
12. Do not take the hand held compass in front of the grinder.  This is to ensure it doesn’t go overboard!?
These have been established over months of sailing and are vital for ensuring that the ‘Big Apple’ boat runs smoothly. However the number one rule is that Duggie can overrule all the above.
Judith xoxoxo