Slowly regenerating a Rhythm

Recent weeks have seen a s slow but inexorable resurgence of activity aboard Spirit of South Carolina.

Last Wednesday, 24 June, the College of Charleston brought aboard a video crew and an agenda for filming a video short to be used in marketing for the College's student body, and ultimately for broader audiences.  A  group of experienced Volunteers joined some returning crew to participate in the project. The day started early  at 0730 with a breakfast.  

CAPT Dan and Blake set up
the Onboarding scene

Dr Blake Hall, College of Charleston,also a volunteer, explained the agenda and objectives for the day.  Meanwhile two different camera men were already moving about, filming just about everything. While some crew began preparing the deck for a simulated Day-Sail, and being filmed, other received specific roles to perform as they would for bringing passengers aboard, stowing their gear, assigning berths, etc, all with a camera filming. Other crew rolled up the awnings, and dressed the Jumbo for setting.  Change scene to Captain Dan giving his welcome aboard speech, then a launching and retrieving of the rescue boat, followed by setting, dousing, then harbor-furling the jumbo. 

"Passengers" stow gear and try out
 their berths while the camera rolls.

On completing those scenarios, the crew shifted to performing the more routine chores,, performing deck wash, rigging awnings, coiling and hanging, and, of course, some scraping and sanding of the taff rail for varnishing.  We even went over the side in the rescue boat to spot paint the hull. Amidst the activity, Hunter laid out a hearty spaghetti and meatballs lunch on deck.

Crew members Matt and Dani
 compare notes following
their interviews.

Following lunch, maintenance work, filmed of course, continued.  Selected crew and volunteers were selected to be interviewed on a range of questions.

Chief Mate Charlie explains
to "passengers" how they'll harbor
 furl the Jumbo.

As the day wound down Blake reviewed the day and explained what would be done with the video and interview footage collected all day. It would be edited into a final documentary in the style of "Veritas" which combines snippets of the seemingly mundane, with overdubbing of conversations and interviews to produce a coherent credible message.

Last Saturday marked the resumption of weekly Volunteer Days, planned for alternating Saturdays and Sundays 9 AM to 3pm. New volunteers Hunter Freeman and Madison Pulley were welcomed aboard by Bryan Oliver who led their orientation. 

New Volunteers, Hunter and Madison 
finishing up oiling belaying pins, 
while Bryan explains the
deckhand skills checklist

On completion of the ship tour, they joined Layne Carver who had already started a project of sanding down and oiling the remaining 12 belaying pins with D.1 preservative/sealant.   As the last coat began to set, the group shifted over to some line handling practice.  By end of day Volunteers had checked off  on 8 deckhand skills.