BACK ABOARD, SORT OF!

As readers of this blog may remember, I experienced 6 weeks as crew on the Nina, the Columbus Ship about 3 year ago. Well, my ships are back at Green Turtle Bay Marina.

 

Fortunately, I must have passed the test as crew, for my former crew invited me along for the arrival event.  The ships arrived 1 day early at 9/30 pm. to a very dark marina.  Kathy, the advance person and I met the ships at end of pier 5.  After much work for the crew and push boat, the ships were docked for the evening.  Tomorrow is the scheduled arrival with press and welcoming party. 

The morning arrived with planned press reps at 7 am. Jim and Tom were the photographers/reports for the arrival for our local newspaper.  Jim boarded the Nina for the event and Tom ventured aboard 0 Regrets (our trawler) for the cruise.  The sail time was somewhat delayed but the ships departed the marina at about 9:30 AM to get in a short sail.  The wind prevailed out of the west.  The ships must have a stern wind due to square rig sails.  The ships motored to the Canal between Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, turned around and sailed back to Lake Barkley. 

The Nina is on the right, being the smaller ship but the size of the original Nina.  They sailed with mainsail and foresails at times.  This is an event for the locals for rarely can the ships sail in lakes.  We idled the trawler ahead to capture this picture of my former ships.  I must thank the crew and captains as they relayed plans via VHF radio and permitted this Old Sailor a chance to recapture some of his memories aboard these great ships. 

The above photo is of Captain Vic aboard the Nina.Yes, even the Captain must swab the decks.  Vic joined the Nina in southern California about 4 yrs. ago and has lived and worked aboard since.  Vic is a good sailor and leader of the crew.  Of course a daily ration of grog is in order. 

 

Prior to this morning sail, the crew had to clear the flags and ship yardarms in order to loose the sails.  A crewman scaled the mast, cleared the flag and other crew hauled the "yards". All working portions of the sails are handled by lines, no windlass or electric wenches here. 


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Well, as the long day ends, please visit the ships.  They are self supporting and tours are very informative and fun.  Green Turtle Bay at Grand Rivers, KY. will welcome you.  Tours continue from 08/29/2013 through 09/08/2013.  Do not miss this chance to see the best and most accurate replicas ever constructed.  Oh!! Tell them Barry sent you.

Happy sailing,
aboard "0 Regrets"