Race 6 - Day 16
Crew Diary - Race 6 Day 16
08 February

Hello again.

One thing we are very proud about on the good ship Visit Sanya, China is the all inclusive nature of the on deck watch system. No-one is excluded and everyone is encouraged to try everything, especially our new leggers. When we first climb on deck at 10 to the hour to take over from the previous on deck watch the Watch Leader nominates someone to take over each position: helm, check helm, Spinnaker trimmer, grinder, for example. People move into position and take over from the previous watch seamlessly.

I can report we have very few people who are late on watch and if they are there is normally a good reason. They are having difficulty moving around to get dressed, for example, or have been woken up late by the previous support watch. Most people are tolerant of these situations.

So every hour the team moves around with new leggers being encouraged and guided by more experienced hands. The most challenging role is the helm, but we are very good at passing on hits and tips from one helmsman to the next, giving the last set of instructions received from the Skipper or AQP - COG/wind angles information and what is being used to check the course, like star positions or compass course. It allows everyone to learn the skills needed and it is generally the more experienced crew which are teaching the new joiners.

The check helm helps by standing next to the helmsman and ensuring the correct course or wind angle is being observed. It means that this person can spot if things are going adrift or the helmsman is getting tired and losing concentration. On a very few occasions the helmsman, me included, have been knocked out of the helming station by a wave catching them off balance or, as I have also done, stepping too far up the angled block and falling out of the helm station (maybe that’s just me) but it does mean there is a second person to grab the wheel who is completely familiar with the parameters the helmsman was working to.

Occasionally Jorge or Seumas will give us a masterclass in helming and then crew gather around to watch and learn. Our Skipper and AQP are always on hand to either give advice or take over if things become very tricky. Seumas said from the very start that this was our race and this is one way he shows us this is still true.

Watch out though because our bold and intrepid Skipper is allergic to rain, he shrinks and goes mis-shapen, apparently, if excessive water is applied. The companionway then becomes an booming voice of instructions. We love him dearly!!

Bye for now

Su