Crew Blog

What is in a Watch?

19 June 2008

Many friends and families have probably heard a member of the crew talk about ‘watches’ and wondered what they mean. Well today we added another type of watch to the list. So here is the guide to watches on Uniquely Singapore, we think there are at least twelve:

On-Watch – a four hour period that you are assigned for getting Singers to the finish faster than another yacht.
Off-Watch – four hours of your time when you sleep, read and socialise.
Mother Watch – You would have already read many blogs about the mother watch. So no further explanation is needed.
Bilge Watch – Everyday two crew members seek and remove any unwanted bilge water from the yacht. A heavy boat is a slow boat!
Fire Watch – When there are electrical storms, with a danger of the mast been hit by lightning – one crew member is based at the foot of the mast with fire extinguishers.
Radar Watch – In poor visibility we have someone watch the radar for contacts. In good visibility we use this to identify squalls that bring rain and higher winds.
Vang Watch – Those that sail will know that when down-wind sailing, releasing the vang is a technique for de-powering the mainsail to avoid nasty consequences. The crewmember will hold the vang and literally remove it from the winch in emergency.
Wrist Watch – This is used for waking a member of the crew for their designated watch. Most of us have digital watches with multiple alarms.
Hatch Watch – When it gets very hot and unbearable in the ghetto (sleeping accommodations), a crew member sits by the open hatch to prevent anyone else falling down the hole and they close it for waves on deck.
Turtle Watch – Standing on the foredeck. On the race to Panama we were dodging turtles that were as common as pigeons in Trafalgar Square.
Lobster Pot Watch – On the way to and from Halifax and Fremantle, we had to dodge an excessive number of pots in shallow water. We all managed to eat at least one Lobster in Nova Scotia!
Ice Watch (NEW) – We are currently in an area (Grand Banks – from the film ‘The Perfect Storm’) where icebergs are common. Starting today we’ve begun to keep a 24 watch at the bow to look for bergs or bergy-bits, growlers etc. These are a potential danger. You have all seen the film the Titanic!

From the Hampshire boys
Jim and Baz

1. Nikki Crooks, Hampshire 19 June 2008

Hi Jim and Baz, Great to hear you’re all busy. Get that boat lightened up and get speeding along! Nikki, Fuzz, Em and Cj (Hampshire Kids)

2. Sarah, Edinburgh 19 June 2008

There are no icebergs in Edinburgh, but it feels so cold (June?) there almost could be. Clipper Watch - we’re all doing it. Sail well US. x

3. Angy, Basingstoke UK 19 June 2008

Come on Uniquely Singapore !!!!!
Get a wiggle on!!!
On a serious note,we are all wishing you a safe and speedy journey back to Cork.
Not long now guys,keep pushing hard.
Ice watch ! Sounds like an excellent watch to me,we want you back safely
Can’t wait to see you all in Liverpool,seems an awful long time since we waved you off in September last year.
God speed
Special hugs to Baz. Love you xx

4. Vic Silk, Woolloomooloo 20 June 2008

Mocha chocca watch....just a suggestion....Go get em Singas. Vicx

5. Erma Rheindrayani, Jakarta 20 June 2008

Hello All Singer!!! Hope all of you are doing well!! Have a great last race… i’m praying that you all get there safe and get a podium place!!! please don’t hit a iceberg ..... okay remember to bare away and hard on.... hehehehehe… luvs much.. erma

6. Vonnie, basingstoke 20 June 2008

Come on Baz and singers get that boat to Cork.Its nearly time you were all home safe and sound. xx

7. wendy&bob;eeles, basingstoke 20 June 2008

Hi you Hampshire Hogs Heard of the twelve days of Christmas now we’ve got the twelve watches of the “Singers”.Go for the last big push to Cork,then waiting to welcome you all
home safe & sound in Liverpool.Enjoy the race & what great memories.
See you soon Baz.

8. Chris, Grimsby 20 June 2008

Hi Wendy on Hull and Humber.

We’re all following the race back here in Pinfold Lane and wishing you all the best and hoping for a win!!!! Love Chris

9. Cees Kniestedt, N' Chailey - E' Sussex 21 June 2008

Hello to Marlena and all the girls and guys on Uniquely Singapore.
Aah I noticed that either, you have developed a cunning plan by taking the more
Southerly route, or you guys decided to go whalewatching on your own !!!!
Two more weeks and a great adventure will be past, not only for you
sailors but also for the square eyed groupies and those that followed you
around the world, thank you, we also had a great time....
Looking forward to seeing you all in Liverpool and empty a jar…
Greetings to all and Sail Ho..
Cees Kniestedt.

10. mei, singapore 22 June 2008

Heya Jim, Baz good job with the ‘watching’!! Go Singers! You guys are almost there..wishing all goods winds and great sail.. Charge ahead!

11. CheeYuh, Singapore 27 June 2008

Luv that part on the “wrist watch”. Took me a while to get it.

Good luck with the ice-bergs. Just imagine them to be clinking in those glasses of rum/beer waiting for you at the finishing line! Keep up the 3rd or better finishing!

12. Stacey, Basingstoke 03 July 2008

Hiya Baz & Jim

I know it’s a bit late now to write but we are VERY excited about you coming home, it’s not the same without you.

We have been watching your progress through the whole race and we are wishing you all a safe return to Liverpool this weekend and we would like it if you could win )

We want to hear lots of stories of your adventures but make sure you have a bath first and when we are bored of them you can tell them all to Jamie, lol. He has grown so much since you have been away you will not believe the difference. He knows that ‘’Baz is on a big boat’’ and that you will be at Liverpool when we get there.

Take Care, see you at the weekend
Lots of Love Stacey, Simon & Jamie
xx

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