Tuesday, December 06, 2005

day 16

"The Minnow" ARC 2005 Atlantic Crossing

Mike's Exciting Day 16 Update!

Today's Nautical Term:

Chafe n : a state of vexation : rage

Bob was sure chafed when the doctors said he needed to get his chafed finger
looked at sooner than when the Minnow will get there.

Late tonight (around 5:00am of day 17) we dropped Bob off on a VLCC since
they go faster than us. This way he will get to a proper doctor sometime
Wednesday.

A VLCC is a "very large crude carrier." This thing was enormous. It came
almost to a stop for us. Then we maneuvered to the downwind side of it. It
took a long time to go around it. As we backed toward the ship, it lowered a
big basket down near the water on a crane. Bob was waiting on the back
steps. When the basket got close to the steps, he got in and they raised him
up, up, up, up, up. It was a long ways up to the deck of the tanker. Really
high.

It sounds really simple, and it was. It was simple because (1) the oil
tanker captain knew what he was doing and instructed us on what to do (we
had prepared for a couple of hours on what to do and how to do it (2) the
captain and crew of the tanker were very competent (3) David did a great job
backing the Minnow into place for the transfer (this was not an easy task).

We were all very impressed with the French Coast Guard, who arranged the
transfer and has further arranged for Bob to be flown from the giant ship to
a finger specialist when they get in helicopter range. All this for a single
index finger. On the left hand even.

Bob left the Minnow with threats of vengeance. He has vowed to cut every
rope on the Minnow just to get even. Personally, I think he will mellow once
he learns how to pick his nose right-handed.

After the transfer it took the rest of us quite awhile to wind down. It was
definitely a high energy experience. (25 knots of wind, big waves, and the
realization that a mistake was potentially really dangerous) So after we
were clear of the behemoth, we took our time setting sails, carefully,
deliberately, and sailed off into the morning. We were relieved because
Bob's chafed finger was really ugly.

Arts and Entertainment:

Five minutes before we dumped Bob he was playing "In the Mood" to us on the
baritone. I think he has most of it memorized!

2 comments:

mawlenduh said...

I'm jealous he got to ride in a basket. We didn't get to do that on our voyage <=(

twebsterarmstrong said...

Did Bob take his baritone in the basket w/ him?