A ship and her crew

    A belated introduction to the ship and her crew will be the topic of this post. I am aware that introductions typically come first but with my sudden change in scenery I felt compelled to relay the events that impressed me the most.  I think now that things have calmed down and I have settled into my surroundings it is an appropriate time to get the formalities out of the way.

As I am sure you have gathered from previous posts the boat's name is Snow Goose.  She is a 115' cutter. A super yacht by every definition of the word.   

Her beautiful teak deck stretches from stem to stern, interrupted by a massive pilot house just astern the mast. Complete with sliding doors it does a hansom job protecting the crew from the heaviest of seas.  With her massive sail area we managed to squeeze a screaming 17 knots under full sail in 30 knot winds.  A personal record under sail  for both the Goose and myself. 

One peak below decks will show her beauty is not just skin deep.  With four state rooms, plus crew quarters, a full galley, and a spacious salon, this ocean cruiser has plenty of room to spare.
    As you walk through the pilot house the navi station is to port. The large wheel is set just in in front of an elaborate control panel, filled with more switches, gauges, lights, and levers than a Boeing 747.

Taking the stairs down the companionway will lead you into the main salon.  As your eyes adjust to the light, the first thing you see is varnished wood.  The walls, the table, the cabinets are all beautiful polished wood.  A small couch to your right and to your left a large table with an impressive gold compass rose inlaid to the wood.  And on the floor, a regular window shade  in the process of being repaired makes a perfect centerpiece.  

Continuing on through the swinging doors you will find yourself in the galley, my corner of the boat.  The galley and the crew quarters are one in the same on this boat.  What I mean by that is the crew inhabits this area of the boat more than anywhere else on the boat.  We have a full entertainment center complete with a playstation, flat screen, and a network private to the boat with every movie, tv show, and song you can imagine.  Courtesy of or tech man Wayne Jacobsz.

The galley is large, and easy to work in.  A fully functional kitchen.  It has been a while since I had one of those at hand.  When I am not swimming, beach hopping, sleeping, or entertaining myself in some other manner, this is where I am.  It is a comfortable place where all are welcome. The crew's bunks and head/ shower are just past the washer and dryer.

These are my quarters.  I share a bunk with the skipper, Aubrey. I keep my galley much cleaner than my bunk.  All of life necessities are within arms reach here. Snorkel/mask, charger, Vans, Leatherman (#1), tighty whities, sunblock (spf 30), Roninson Crusoe, laptop, harmonica, yoyo,  scooby, and sunglasses.  This is my life as of now.  Not too bad in my book.




Next on the agenda is the crew. The men I'd  like to call my family on this ocean adventure.
First there is the skipper and the man I am proud to call my bunk mate, Aubrey Akers.

A true South African at heart, Aubrey has been on this boat for over 7 years.  This boat is home and he treats it accordingly.  He is the skipper and the engineer, and know her inside and out.  
 
This picture was taken from the top of Snow Goose's mast, over 60' up, in her home away from home, St Barth, F.W.I.

Next is the first mate, Wayne Jacobsz. The second South African on the boat.  An experienced and good natured guy.  Like the majority of this crew, Wayne has multiple areas of expertise. He is first mate but Tech is his middle name. He handles any network, computer, or electrical problem you can throw at him.
He is a fisherman too! This picture was taken last year in the Atlantic.  His prize catch, an 80lb tuna!

Next in line as Matt Lacey. A deck hand from the UK.  He has won the title on the boat as the "biggest G" (gangster).  A modern day Robin Hood from Nottingham (he's from Nottingham).  A hard worker and a good man in my book with a good sense of humor and  a funny accent.







Technically not part of the crew, but on board none the less is William Moreland. A class act, the life of the party, and the pickiest eater i've ever met.  Currently he is on board employed as a builder, but with an extensive history in sailing, he is a good guy to have around.  The owner, Dominick, is in the process of building a house on the island of St Barth, and employs Will and several other workers to assist in it's construction.  

Well now that you all have been formally introduced, my work is done.

Cheers from the Caribbean!
KB