Race 13 - Day 15
Crew Diary - Crew Diary: Race 13
11 July

Dear Rebecca,

Day 15 aboard the good ship BCF.

I am often asked during Race Crew training what a typical day is like on board during the race. I struggle to answer as it is hard to describe the daily rhythm of an ocean leg - which is one reason I’m here. I did Leg 7 in the 2019-20 edition. However, I wanted to sail an ocean to feel the adaption to the new environment as our world just becomes ocean and sky, experience the blurring of days with time, the relentless march forward of the boat across the ocean, and the emotional undulations as you detox from shore life.

So here is the scene at 2am this Wednesday morning. The unorthodox nature of our daily routine struck me. In addition, the speed at which operating in the depths of the night has become a new normal is worthy of note.

Watch change 2am, 10 July 2024:

- The new watch heads on deck at 1.55am, wrapped up for a cold, dry night. It is a clear, stary night and the temperature has dropped significantly as we have headed north. The promise of a beautiful sunrise lifting the spirits.

- I head below deck with my watch. The five of us look forward to bed as our three hours on deck have come to an end. Silently removing lots of layers and sliding off to bed, some to a short sleep, some for a full 7 hours. It isn’t fully dark tonight at N55 (degrees of latitude). The Code 1 is up. The sea is flat calm. And wind is blowing steady 10 knots. Bob Marley is on loop on the helming cage speaker.

- Two members of the support watch are in the galley making bread. A couple more are chatting on the sofa relaxing during a period of calm.

- Brian has a head torch on and a roll of tools spread on the bathroom floor mending the sink pump which has sheared off.

- The noise of gentle snoring and the red lighting are the only real indication that it is the middle of the night.

The watch system ensures the relentless march of time and order keep the good ship BCF on course to Oban.