21 November 2005

Cementing the spurling pipe

by Andrew, onboard the Esperanza

This morning the Esperanza has a distinctive, and not entirely pleasant "at sea" feeling. I can't say the sea is rough - all considered it is pretty calm so far - but I am not the only one on board still finding their sea legs. It's probably worse on the Sunrise of course. She is a quite a good ship to sail on, but famously wobbly.

The spurling pipe (aka navel pipe) is how the anchor chain gets from the deck down into the chain locker, where it's stored. This morning bosun Phil and Alain (deckhand) first stuffed rags and a couple of ratty old pillows down the spurling pipes, and then added a layer of cement over top to make it water tight. This is standard procedure when a ship like ours heads off on a long expedition. We won't need the anchors for a while, and if we start taking waves over the bow we definitely want to keep the water from filling up the anchor locker. It's safer this way, and also better for the anchor chain (less rusting).

Watching the operation always brings home to me that I won't be setting foot on land for a long time.

   

Comments

Posted by: Mia at November 22, 2005 8:11 AM

Posted by: Caniscandida at November 22, 2005 8:54 AM

Posted by: Andrew - Esperanza web editor at November 24, 2005 1:48 PM

Posted by: anne at November 25, 2005 3:48 PM

All updates from the Southern Ocean whaling 2007 leg »
All updates from the Pacific transit »
All updates from the Mexico leg »
All updates from the Hawaii leg »
All updates from the Pacific leg »
All updates from the Philippines leg »
All updates from the India leg »
All updates from the Red Sea leg »
All updates from the Mediterranean leg »
All updates from the Azores leg »
All updates from the Pirate Fishing/Africa leg »
All updates from the Southern Ocean »

Avast ye land lubbers! The ocean critters need your help!
Take action today!