The Floating Village

Posted by Dave at 11:20 AM, October 21, 2004

(C) Greenpeace

I've had emails from people asking me 'doesn't it get claustrophobic out there, in a little boat?'... Well, for a start, the 'Espy' isn't all that little - at 72m long, she's a good size vessel. There's such a warren of cabins, workshops and offices that its possible to walk through the ship without bumping into anyone, as they're all tucked away sleeping, cooking, writing, editing video, welding, or running the ship. If people are working at opposite ends of the ship, and on different watches, they might only bump into each other in the mess, over dinner.

If I stand up on top deck (a chilly proposition, it's a wet day outside), I'm in the open, with nothing but the mast and crow's nest above me. Under my feet is the bridge deck - inside are the bridge, chartroom and campaign office, where Ness, Mariajo, Dima, Dave R and I work. Outside, behind the bridge, and between the twin funnels, there's open space, used for storing two of our inflatables.

A deck below is the accommodation deck, with cabins for the captain, radio operator and some of the engineers and mates. The radio room is down here too, with a little electronics workshop and the server for the computer network. Next door is the photographer's workshop, and the video editing room.

Another deck down is the boat deck - two of the big inflatables - Grey Whales and African Queen are stored outside. The heli-deck is on this level too, as is the heli-hanger and external access to the bow area. Inside, there are more cabins (where I sleep!), the lounge (where crew chill out and read, play music, etc.) and the library.

Another stairs down, and we're onto the main deck. Towards the stern, under the heli-deck, we've got the poop deck, with lots of winching equipment. From there, we've got the 'wet room' - with a pilot door for getting from the ship to the inflatables - and lots of tools and equipment. There's loads of little cubby holes here - diving equipment, the outboard workshop, various engineers workshops, and the engine control room, which looks a bit like the HQ of a Bond villain - lots of metal consoles covered in ponderous coloured buttons and switches, and lots of consoles displaying cryptic technical data. Through a doorway and past the galley and the mess (yes, where we eat), and yet more cabins.

Down below the main deck is the tween deck, where the engine room is. Apart from the engineers, most crew don't have much cause to go down here, except to the laundry, the clothing store, and to where the food is stored, five staircases below the top deck.

So... it's like living in a small floating village of thirty or so people.

- Dave