Today, most of the action is happening on dry land, as our volunteer crew members organize car pools to bring them down from the New York Capital Region to Verplanck, NY. With today set aside for marshalling the crew, we aren't scheduled to leave port until tomorrow.

In fact, preparations for this trip have been in the works all month. During the weekend of April 6-8 a hearty crew dared wet and chilling weather to move the Half Moon from its protected winter berth inside King Marine's pier to the outside -- an operation that went surprisingly smoothly, allowing us to complete our scheduled work half a day ahead of schedule.

Kipp van Aken welds a copper pipe.Kipp van Aken and Jim Barry consult once the pipe's in place.

Last week, a small work crew congregated on board to remove and entirely replace the plumbing for the Half Moon's sewage treatment system. This work may have been far from glamorous, but with just a single head to meet the needs of a crew of two dozen people, it doesn't take much imagination to know that this upgrade is invaluable. Above left, Kipp van Aken seals a copper pipe, part of the new system. Above right, with the pipe is in place, Kipp consults with Jim Barry, head of this work detail, on their next move.

John Vallely makes repairs to the channel's reinforcement.The reinforced channel.

Meanwhile, John Vallely, a new volunteer, demonstrates his carpentry chops by making repairs to the temporary reinforcements we've added to the port channel. During the April 6-8 work weekend, we bolted an extra plank to the side of the channel to serve as a sort of armor, protecting the channel itself from abrasions caused by rubbing up against a particular piling on the pier. However, a powerful nor'easter which recently blew through the region has added a wrinkle to that plan. When the storm-swollen waters were at their highest, the Half Moon rose so high that the edge of the channel's reinforcement plank slid over the high end of a buffering board fastened to the piling itself (see above right). When the waters receded, the channel hung up on the piling, shattering a section of our reinforcement (but, thankfully, leaving the channel itself unharmed). Above left, John prepares to fit a replacement wedge into the gap to hold us over until our departure date... which has now arrived!

1200 Hours:

Bob Hansen vacuums the galley.Kipp van Aken cycles water through the new plumbing.

Back to the present. Crew members Daniel Scott Dawson and John W. Mangrum have already spent the night on the ship, making final preparations. At midday, the first wave of the rest of the crew arrives. While Captain Reynolds makes inspections, Bob Hansen (above left) cleans up after our work crew while Kipp van Aken (above right) pumps river water through the new plumbing for a final test, with satisfactory results.

The orlop deck, looking tidy.

After being used for storage all winter, the orlop deck has largely been returned to ship shape. However, we have a crew of 24 coming on board and in need of space to bunk down, so the rest of our new arrivals turn their attention to ensuring that the orlop is spotless.

Ned Moore and Carole Tice lash lines to reinforce the safety rail.

1800 Hours:

Another carpool of volunteers has arrived! While regular crew member Grant Prime makes a few supply runs into town, the rest of crew prepares the Half Moon for operation. Here, several new arrivals (including Ned Moore and Carole Tice, pictured) are in the midst of bracing the safety rail that rings the main cargo hatch.

Crew member Nick helps unload provisions.

1830 Hours:

The rest of our crew members have arrived. And even better, they've brought food!

With our provisions on board, we're set for departure.

New crew member Keith Maurer is directed down the dock, with the Half Moon in the background.

We direct our new crew toward the ship, but it's not too hard to find. Let it never be said that the Half Moon blends into the scenery!

We'll have an interesting blend of crew members on this brief voyage, including both old-timers and newcomers. Sophia Dijkgraaf, an intern at the Dutch Consulate in New York City, as also joining us as an envoy.

Crew members on the weather deck and on the dock chat across the channel.

The new arrivals congregate on the dock before embarking. We don't plan on setting out until early tomorrow morning, so there's no rush as people greet old friends and get to know new acquaintances.

Captain Reynolds instructs new arrivals how to safely cross the main channel.

Captain Reynolds stands at the ready to show our new crew members safe and proper methods for climbing on board. Three points of contact, people!

Captain Reynolds addresses crew members gathered around the capstan.

1900 Hours:

Once everyone's settled, Captain Reynolds gathers all hands around the capstan for an all-important safety briefing, including instructions on how to use the newly redesigned head.

Crew members Arthur Fontikn, Tyler, and Sophia Dijkgraaf serve themselves dinner in the galley.

2000 Hours:

After the briefing, all that's left to do is enjoy a fine dinner of chicken parmesan, pasta, and salad.

After dinner, we retire early, for tomorrow morning we rise at 0530 hours!

Karen Preston on the dock.

Lastly, we'd like to offer a special word of thanks to volunteer Karen Preston, who not only organized transportation for our crew members and drove one of the car pools, but wasn't able to join us for the voyage itself. We'll see you next time!

 

Friday, April 27 | Saturday, April 28 | Sunday, April 29