Race 2 - Day 5
Crew Diary - Race 2, Day 5
20 September

The Galley Never Sleeps

Author: George Strietmann (Punta del Este)

All Clipper Race Crew members expected that the deck would be a busy place for the watch on duty. After all, this is a race and in a race you are constantly changing sails, trimming sails, reefing sails, etc.

But below deck, the Galley is a beehive of activity! Just this morning for those of us on starboard watch, were waking to go on deck for the 3:00am watch. Crewmate Vince had a surprise of hot water ready for us, to grab a coffee or tea before reporting on deck.

Breakfast was ready at 6:30am for the port watch to grab a bite before reporting at 7:00am, and then another breakfast serving at a bit after 7:00am as the starboard watch came off duty and headed for bed. Clara and Mary had cereal, toast, yoghurt, tea, coffee, oranges and apples ready for both watches.

A similar drill occurs at lunch and dinner to feed the two watches. In addition to three meals a day, drinks (tea or coffee) are offered around 10:00am and 4:00pm. The crew are known to snack all day and evening too. I believe it is a sailing tradition to eat almost all day long, while burning calories racing the boat.

A common question I got when I told friends about the race was, if we had a cook on board. Well, we are each the cooks once every week or two with our crew of 24. This so called Mother Duty with another crewmate, whilst on Mother Duty we are nourishing our fellow crew. I observe that as each crew take turns at Mother Watch a sense of support and appreciation comes into play. Like so many duties on board the Galley, watch is not easy. It is a needed duty shared by all in a part of the boat that never sleeps!