Memorial Day Update on Deck
Well, it's been a quiet month aboard ship. Hunter, our Sea Cook, is still aboard, performing routine maintenance and dock security responsibilities. Chief Mate Charlie, is on a second job, so only able to get down to the ship once weekly. Capt Dan is regularly meeting with the Tommy Baker Organization, working towards some plans for getting back to operation, and reorganizing the responsibilities normally performed by an Executive Directer, Controller, and funding Developer. While relationships with College of Charleston and Citadel remain,, the current confused seas resulting from COVID-19, are muddying any planning such that the fall is earliest Capt Dan expects to cast off for anything.. even a harbor cruise. Our Coast Guard COI renewal is also approaching, which of course has a say.
Shipboard maintenance continues, given a vastly reduced Volunteer presence. The cap rail has received most of the attention, being oiled all the way to the Main mast, and D2 varnished to midships.
Darren Casale made a run to Costco for rubber Gloves, beating the buy-out rush.
Danny Johnson produced two Bosun's Chair's seats, and is finishing up some nice Soap/Sanitizer Dispenser holders for each of the three Heads. Gary Pope took home a bag of rusted saws and scrapers,, and restored them to usable condition.
Dani Feerst and Dad also built a Bosun's Chair, and Ken Fonville dropped off his personal model on loan, a nice sail canvas arrangement with lots of features.
Bryan Oliver sewed up a canvas weather cover for the rescue boats gas tank, spliced, seized on the bridles for the new bosun's chairs, and built a nifty napkin/condiment holder for the Salon table.
And.. just this week, three Volunteers responded to our call for help in troubleshooting an electrical issue aboard ship. Ted Bullock, Joe Gorman, and Wayne Burdick, answered up to offer ideas, and helped us narrow down the trouble to a specific component.
Four improved (read "longer") bosun's chairs. That gives us capability to send four crewmembers aloft on the masts, to refinish the masts, whose lamination will start to suffer from sun and weather over the next few months, without protection.
Which brings us to next subject.
With the gradual re-opening of the city around us, Capt Dan is looking at a plan to re-engage Volunteers, while keeping to the social distancing guidelines. Capt Dan is cognizant of our crew and volunteer demographics,, Many of us are of that certain age that enhance risk of contracting the thing, and the nature of work onboard encompasses shared surfaces and proximity. Large Volunteer Gatherings of this winter and early Spring won't happen for the time being. At the same time, everyone appreciates the urgency to get the ship thru her next COI renewal, and train a crew.What will happen, with your help, will be sessions of 3-6 Volunteers at a time on board, splitting time in maintenance, and deckhand skills training.
The big maintenance priorities identified so far are;
- Prepping and Spot-painting the hull -
- Completing oiling and varnishing of the cap rail
- Aloft and scraping/re-oiling the masts
- Assorted smaller oiling/refinishing project; remaining belaying pins, pinrails.
Expect a canvassing email this week asking your help and participation during day slots to be created.
Most desirable is identifying at least four volunteers who are willing to go aloft, preferably climbing the shrouds (clipped in of course), with the chair to a sufficient height to be swayed across to the mast. Currently, it takes two crew on deck and an extended period of time to hoist a person up the mast, using the gantlines, with no purchase tackle. So,, Sing Out! if you're up for this adventure. It'll take you to the next level in Tall Ship Sailing.
bryan@spiritofsc.org or text 314-409-0433
