Saturday Volunteer Turn-out Sets a Record

Earlier in the week, as this Saturday approached, Volunteer Coordinator, Bryan Oliver, kept the Ship's crew informed of respondents to his call for volunteer help. By Thursday afternoon, slightly over five volunteers had responded that they would show up.  Reassured by the response, the crew shifted their normal Saturday day-off so they could join the volunteers on Saturday to work together on the projects facing them.  Hunter, the Ship's cook, just returned from his holiday vacation, volunteered to cook lunch.
On Saturday morning, the day started out chilly with a breeze, but promising to warm into the 6o's.  Hunter already had breakfast waiting, and coffee standing by as crew arrived for Muster. This time, they were even more gratified to meet a total of eight volunteers on deck waiting for instructions- the best showing since 2015!

Alexa Edwards and hubby, Carter
lay in on a pair of disheveled mast hoops.

In addition to regulars, Ken Fonville and Bryan Oliver, Danny Johnson had brought along his daughter, Danielle.  Wayne Burdick returned after an absence taken up with his own sailing adventures. Newcomer's Carter and Alexa Edwards, had been looking over the schooner from the Aquarium, and decided to jump in. Rick Washington had spent several afternoons on the dock over the months, observing the crew work, and finding time off from the road and his trucking business, found time to pitch in.

Danny Johnson shows off a collection
 of white paint dust, while daughter
 Danielle tries to keep her distance.

Chief Mate, Charlie Porzelt wasted no time in organizing the projects. First priority was sorting out, then preparing over 40 mast hoops, that had been uninstalled from the masts for a new coat of linseed oil. Preparation required, first, separating out damaged hoops, then scraping and sanding down the surfaces so they would properly absorb several coats of linseed oil.    As hoops were completed, Volunteers would finish finish prepping the spars (gaffs and booms) by sanding and scuffing, the white jaws and ends. By the time the last prepped hoop had dropped on the completion pile, Hunter called for Lunch. Volunteers  beat their clothes to knock off saw and paint dust and filed back down the gangway into the Salon for a spaghetti and meatballs lunch, with garlic toast.

Volunteers and crew muster amidships after lunch
for the Mate's next priorities

Following lunch, Charlie mustered the ships company midships for instructions on the next priority.. Tacking down the spars, and the mast hoops - wiping all their surfaces down with mineral spirits to remove last vestiges of sawdust, paint dust and grime, that would compromise the application of linseed oil, or paint.  As that work was completed, so was the day.  As others put away tools and departed the dock, a few volunteers stayed behind to refresh on basic deckhand line handling skills.

Without doubt, Volunteers had accomplished likely the most productive workday in months,  putting the Winter Maintenance project ahead of schedule.  All the more satisfying, since the Mate announced that the Ship had already booked two day sails for the Spring. Additional Volunteer Maintenance days will follow into the spring, accompanied by opportunity for deckhand skills training and shake-down sailing.  Continued volunteer involvement will remain crucial to getting her ready to take to sea.  Looking forward to seeing you on deck.

Rick Washington, Danny and Danielle Johnson
working on the pile of mast hoops

    

Wayne Burdick and Ken Fonville 
focusing their tools on the inside surfaces.