Buoyed by Good News, eleven Volunteers advance 5 different projects; Layne Carver Recognized for surpassing the 100 Volunteer Hours milestone.

 The good news was the Captain's announcement that funds had been found to begin the electronics and engine repairs necessary to enable Spirit of South Carolina to cast off the docks. Those projects would take weeks, at least, to complete, but it was a light at end of the tunnel that wasn't there the week before. Meanwhile there were piles of  off-season projects still to complete that would also lead to the schooner's ability to go to sea again. So, at 0900, Saturday morning, eleven Volunteers mustered amidships and divvied up the projects.  

Mike Evatt and Dan Maurin
 on the PDF lockers

Dan Maurin and Mike Evatt started in on finishing up fasteners and lids for the three PDF lockers currently stowed on the dock, then transitioning to tool inventory and reorganizing the tool lockers with help from Joe Gorman. 

  Calvin Milam and John Whitsitt tackled pans full of vinegar-soaking rusting tools, getting them cleaned off, then bathed in heavy oil.  Philippe Agafonovas organized selected implements for photos to post online for sale.  

Danny Johnson and daughter Laura, broke out scrapers, heat guns and sanding tools to take the remaining two scarfs of the starboard quarter cap rail down to wood, and prep them for initial coats of Deks Olje D1 sealant/preservative.  

Danny Johnson and Laura
taking down the starboard
quarter cap rail

Layne Carver, eyed some rust scale and flaking paint developing around the starboard main chainplates, and took charge of that project. Bryan Oliver met Adam Schaich from College of Charleston, at the gangway and took him on a tour/orientation of the vessel. 

 Spurred on by some appropriately maritime tunes off a media speaker, built an impressive work tempo, until screeching to a halt, when Hunter handed up from the galley a large hot serving pan of hot Mac 'n Cheese with Shrimp and Crab.  

As the crew finished up lunch, and scoured the pan of seconds, Bryan introduced Adam to the Volunteer crew, and recognized Layne Carver who drives up from Hilton Head, by the way, for his surpassing a 100 Volunteer Hour Milestone. Layne's time and skills benefitted Spirit of South Carolina for just over a year, included taking on some take-home wood refinishing projects, and a stint living on board while the schooner was in Shipyard at Thunderbolt last September.

Philippe, John, and Calvin
 sort thru old tools

As lunch completed and clean-up progressed, Bryan reorganized volunteers for one last push before ending the day. One team grabbed sanding blocks, mineral spirits and clean rags to finish up preparation of the starboard rail, following on with wiping two coats of D1 onto the finished raw Sapele wood surface.  On the port side quarter cap rail, Calvin and Adam tacked down the surface and applied it's first coat of D2 varnish.  

With those two tasks completed and tools stowed, this Volunteer crew could boast of over 55 Volunteer hours well-invested in advancing Spirit of South Carolina's progress to that day when she'll slip her lines again and bear off into the harbor.  Thanks to all hands who laid in on those projects that day. And special thanks to the Volunteers who have raised their hands to become "topmen", and go aloft for the next big project of renewing her masts.  Maybe next week.

Bryan Oliver presents Layne Carver
his "Foremast Volunteer" Pin on achieving 100 volunteer hours.
Joe Gorman in background.