Spirit of South Carolina getting prepped for her arrival.

 While waiting for all the gears to synch up that will launch Spirit of South Carolina home, Project Manager Heath Hackett has set some priorities aboard for readying the ship for her first few days on arrival in the public eye.  Just about all mechanical issues being resolved, focus is turning to the aesthetic condition of the ship on deck and below; getting her ready for visitors.  The Board of Directors is expecting to host a very public event for her return.   Prior to that I understand that the Board of Directors is to have a meeting with some others to be invited. The agenda is not announced, but surmised to announce the strategic direction the schooner will take over the next year. That would include the roles of volunteers.

You recall from a previous blog that Heath's crew of professional detailers came aboard for the  better part of a week to scrape/sand down to wood, the entire cap rail, as well as quarter-rounds surrounding hatches, and the aft-cabin butterfly hatch. Bryan Oliver was forward on the jibboom last week, doing the same. Other wood furnishings, showing grime and peeling will likely get same treatment.  The intent is to get the prep done now, and start actual coatings of varnish, after arrival in Charleston. That's likely to be one of our first volunteer chances to shine. We're not exactly new to that cap rail-except now the hard work of scraping/sanding is already done, just a light sand and tacking down to get to coatings. The main boom and gaff, lying on the deck all summer has suffered the sun and are peeling and graying badly.  Will likely be taking that on very shortly. 

Other projects Hunter and Bryan have accomplished are: 

• Total clearing out and straightening of empty bunks in the salon, moving gear forward, in anticipation of receiving visitors to the salon for public events.  
• Taking down and stowing the huge main deck awning canvas.  It has suffered several major tears, due to UV damage and winds. It's looking beyond repair capability.
• Coiling and stowing loose cordage and cargo netting. stowed in lazarette.
• Splicing new rope lifelines into the rails in vicinity of starboard main shrouds.