0700 hours

Starting Position: Docked at Peckham Materials in Athens, NY.
Latitude: 42˚ 16.2' N
Longitude: 073˚ 48.1' W

Day Five of the video shoot.

We once again begin our day docked at Peckham Materials. After rising and rummaging, the crew gathers on the weather deck for breakfast and a briefing.

0830 hours

After breakfast, we serenade Alex with a round of Happy Birthday; he turns 15 today!

0900 hours

While the video crew sets up for the day's shooting, Mr. Linehan oversees the Deck Log readings.

1000 hours

Captain Reynolds calls the crew to the capstan for mail call, which we also tape for posterity. Everyone loves hearing from home - especially Raynika, who has a long, long list of family members writing in.

1245 hours

The video crew is setting up for a shot that will incorporate the entire student crew. In this concluding scene, the students offer a report on their salinity findings.

0345 hours

We're predicting clear skies and a steady, northerly breeze, so the order comes down -- prepare to sail! Alanna and Deniro head up the main mast to unfurl the main top and course.

1700 hours

Ms. Niehaus casts off Line Four. With Mr. Cardoza and Mr. Linehan working alongside her as shore crew, we're soon free and clear of the dock.

Mouse over to set sail!

Meanwhile, on deck, Captain Reynolds has the mast teams set the courses, and we sail off the dock.

The wind's a bit flukey, keeping our mast teams on their toes as we come about to sail south with the wind.

1715 hours

Mr. Woodworth captures it all with the video camera.

Within a few minutes, the sails are full and we glide past Athens, nearby NY.

Raynika is at the helm. There's that big smile her family wanted to see!

Mr. Hansen returns the shore crew to the ship as we leave Athens Channel and rejoin the main course of the Hudson.

1730 hours

The strong winds eventually carry the ship nearly all the way to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.

1745 hours

The foredeck crew is feeling particularly nautical, it seems.

Oh, dear. Leave the crew on board too long and they start to look alike. This has been a known problem on on past voyages...

1830 hours

As you can see, the students are particularly enjoying their day of sail -- or it could just be that all the acting practice has started to pay off!

We have a guest waiting for us back at Athens, so it's time to brace the sail, come about, and travel back north.

Nora takes command of the main mast as we put the sails back in their gear.

1845 hours

With the sails douses, the crew can kick back and relax as we return to Athens Channel.

We will not be returning to the dock, however. Instead, we'll set the anchor and spend the night out on the water.

1900 hours

Some of our flags have gotten themselves snarled with all of our manuevering. Nick is dispatched up the mizzen to rescue the flag of Amsterdam.

2000 hours

Ms. Niehaus and Mr. Woodworth zip in to shore to shoot glamour shots of the Half Moon as it sails back and forth. They'll also tape a scene where a student climbs down the rig from the yard.

2030 hours

Vicki Cardoza is our guest for the evening. In between takes, we run her out to the ship. Even more important is the dinner she's prepared for us!

On her way out to the ship, Mrs. Cardoza takes the opportunity to wash some river mud off her feet.

By now both the sun and our anchor are down. Before returning to the ship, Mr. Woodworth and Ms. Niehaus finish their work in the production trailer, backing up digital files of the day's footage.

2230 hours

After a long day, a late dinner, and a quick anchor watch briefing, the crew retires to their bedrolls. The voyage only has one more full day left!

Ending Position: Anchored off Peckham Materials in Athens Channel.
Latitude: 42˚ 16.2' N
Longitude: 073˚ 48.0' W

Next Time: The Wrap Party!