As any experienced volunteer with the Half Moon knows, Voyages of Discovery actually begin long before the students step on board. A great deal of preparation goes into any trip aboard a sailing vessel. Although the voyage isn't set to officially begin until the evening of Friday, May 2nd, volunteers start arriving days in advance. We like to acknowledge these prep periods as "Day Zero," the unofficial first "day" of the voyage.

Wednesday, April 30th

Although our Dutch crew members have been personally living aboard the ship and maintaining it for days (and in some cases, weeks) now, the majority of the senior crew arrives today. The ship is currently docked at our longtime host, King Marine in Verplanck, NY. As crew members arrive over the course of the day, they set themselves to various tasks to ensure that all of the ship's systems are fully operational.

Down in the galley, Mr. Gorter, our cook for this voyage, patiently does what he can to prepare dinner while waiting for the crew members on the orlop deck (pictured above) to finish working on the fuel tank so we can turn the generator on and start cooking food.

All turns out well, and we enjoy what promises to be a long series of sumptuous meals.

As the sun sets and the work day winds to a close, Captain Reynolds and the crew present a plaque of the Half Moon to Randy King, owner and operator of King Marine. This dockyard has been the Half Moon's winter berth (and frequent home in warmer months as well) for many years now, and our continuing operations owe Mr. King no small debt of gratitute. This plaque represents just a small token of our thanks.

Thursday, May 1st

The crew rises sharply at 0600 hours. Our main goal today is to move the ship to Yonkers, NY, where our student crew will meet us tomorrow evening. Yonkers is just a short hop downriver, but today's trip is also acting as a shakedown voyage to test all of the ship's systems, so we'll take our time.

First, the crew gathers up all of the ship's gear, including these hatch covers, which have been drying on the dock after receiving a fresh coat of varnish.

Once the ship is clear to depart, Captain Reynolds gathers the entire crew around the capstan and explains the ship's safety procedures -- the same introduction our student crew will receive upon their arrival.

Mouse over to loose the last mooring line.

Mooring line assignments go out, with Mr. Mark Morel handling lines on the dock. As soon as he steps on board, Mr. Moore pulls the slip line on the sole remaining dock line and we're away.

We pull away from King Marine at 0730 hours, and the crew members set themselves to their tasks. There's still much to be done before the students arrive.

Mr. Henk Morel and Mr. Bingham create additional chafing gear by cutting length of fire hose. This chafing gear helps protect the ship's dock lines and rigging whenever we're at port.

Those crew members who have not yet had their yearly harness training take the opportunity to do so now. The students will go through this same training as their Voyage of Discovery begins.

It only takes a few hours to reach Yonkers, so we use our available time (and the steady winds, as a result of a stormy front heading our way from the south) to organize our running rigging after a winter of storage and practice sail handling. While we backtrack and sail north along Yonkers, Captain Reynolds and Mr. Schuijer launch an expedition in our inflatable tender, sounding possible docking locations along the waterfront.

By 1200 hours, we've reached our destination, a small park in Yonkers. Our capital region students are expected to arrive here at 1900 hours tomorrow evening.

As might be expected, the appearance of the Half Moon arouses the curiosity of a few local passersby, and we're happy to tell them about our ship (and that the Half Moon will return to Yonkers to October to offer public tours).

Crew members Morel, Weisse, and Egel are sent off to explore the area for materials we could use to jury rig a basic gangplank allowing our crew to cross the safety fence. Remarkably, in short order they return not only with sturdy wooden planking, but also a metal ladder!

Our last major task in an action-packed day is to furl the sails. While Mr. Moore and Mr. Schuijer climb the foremast to furl its sails, Captain Reynolds joins Mr. Mark Morel aloft in the mainmast rig to furl its top and course.

Our shakedown crew members, Bingham, Egel, and Weisse, must now return to their homes and families, so we bid them adieu as Dr. Jacobs joins us.

We enjoy dinner and call it a day, reflecting on how much we managed to accomplish. Shortly after dinner, Ms. Giles arrives with additional provisions and to join us for the first few days of the voyage.

Friday, May 2nd

After a good night's rest, the crew rises at 0700 hours to conduct a few last-minute chores in anticipation of the students' arrival tonight. Our makeshift gangplank is working nicely.

We make a final provisioning run for some additional odds and ends -- extra bottled water, light bulbs, and so on.

Mouse over to let gravity do the work.

When the provision team returns, the tide has gone out, so our gangplank presents a steep slope to traverse. Rather than cart the heavy water jugs across the gap, Mr. Gorter tries simply sliding them across. Fortunately, he doesn't score any gutter balls!

Captain Reynolds speaks with sponsor John Peckham, of Peckham Materials, and Jim Ormond, Communications Manager for the Winchester Arts Council.

Meanwhile, Captain Reynolds is meeting with a number of local supporters. Much of this discussion revolves around our future plans, including an upcoming Voyage of Discovery for Yonkers students this October and next year's Quadcentennial river celebrations.

By 1400 hours, the action has moved below decks. Mr. van Aken and a gang of crew members work on wiring a new -- and exceptionally bright -- overhead fluorescent light fixture.

(No "How many crew members does it take to screw in a light bulb" jokes, please.)

By mid-afternoon, just about everything is in order. In the engine room, Captain Reynolds, Mr. van Aken, and Mr. Hansen examine a few systems.

As the afternoon winds down, most of the crew tries to steal a few minutes of downtime -- one last chance to relax before the Spring 2008 Voyage of Discovery begins... officially, at least.

Next: Day One officially begins!