All aboard the good ship 'Jamaica'

Jamaica Lightning Bolt in light winds off Singapore

Sent: Saturday 6th February 2010

Position:

006degs 10' 99N   108degs 35' 33E

Boat time: 08:30hrs

All aboard the good ship 'Jamaica' for the time of your life! Watch the subtle dawns and gentle sunrises, stunning sunets and star-filled nights. Be gently rocked to sleep by little rollers. Chill out on deck during the day listening to your faviourite tunes as you take the helm and relax afterwards with an ice cold drink in the sun!.....Well almost, Pingu, the ice maker, is having a bit of a melt down (excuse the pun!) so ice is in short supply. But apart from that, the story so far pretty much fills this picture.

Occasionally, we have to stir our stumps and put in a quick tack. Sometimes four or five per watch - which can also disturb your sleep if you're off watch as you get rolled to the other side of your almost level bunk! - but then its straight back to relaxing. Thankfully, the weather is starting to cool off a little bit, especially at night, and I managed a full watch in bed without my bunk fan buzzing away in the backgroud. The days are still roasting but less humid than before so a bit more bearable.

The last few days have been an improvement for me as I have been much more involved in the sailing of the boat. Being given a chance in the snake pit (central workstation for all the halyards and other ropes) on the last race, and having passed my 'pit proficeincy test', means that I am now allowed to do more than hold sail ties during evolutions! (sail changes). My new watch leader, Matt, is very good at sharing the jobs around so we're not all doing the same thing all the time. I've spent lots of time on the helm, too, an hour yesterday morning and a stint on both night watches last night - in the dark! Things must be improving!

With the weather set to stay like this until we reach Taiwan, morale is high and everybody is enjoying the more relaxed atmosphere onboard. Like, 'Peace, Man', and keep reading dudes xxx