September 18, 2004

The Half Moon is berthed at King Marine, Verplanck, New York.

0400  The rain is very heavy, with winds about 25-30 knots.  Fortunately, we have tarps securely rigged, so we remain comfortable, but do wonder what the weather will be like when the student crew arrives later today.  All the participants know that we go rain or shine.

0700  Woke and ate; the rain and wind remains heavy.  Set about the last of the preparations for the arrival of the students.

1100 The sun came out, the wind died down, the students arrived.  We loaded all the gear aboard the ship, and began getting organized.  The new crew divided into several teams, one for the galley to help Mr. Wolfe prepare lunch, one to help rummage (clean and organize) the orlop deck, and one to fill the water tanks.

1200 The rain and wind started again, but we kept up our work organizing and loading the ship (with a stop for hot dogs for lunch).  Much training is involved before departure:  first priority is how to respond to emergencies (fire, person overboard, accident, etc.), and how to prevent them from happening.  We also need to learn proper procedures for the use of the safety harness, how to go aloft, how to handle ropes, belay them to pins, and coil them for stowage.  This work continued through the rainy afternoon.  We were all working so intently that few photographs were taken during the day.  We will do better tomorrow.

1900 Dinner (lasagna), then writing in journals, and in bunks by 2200.  We are in good spirits and look forward to getting underway tomorrow.

Here we are on the orlop deck (the lower deck where the crew stay)

It is pretty cozy.

The clouds have blown away and the stars are out.

Even sleeping on deck has rules.

Mr. Wolfe prepares to wake early to make breakfast at dawn.