Safetypractice on board schooner HAUKUR
Today a crew of seven went out on our schooner HAUKUR on our monthly safety drill. While the weather was not offering perfect conditions for whale watching we used the time and occasion for checking the rigging and testing the new reefing system. Our boatsman Agnes has done a great job, and we are now able to adjust our rigging even better in strong winds.
After reefing up the foresail and mainsail in the harbor, kind of a dry run, we left on engine and put sails up again just outside the outer harbor. The whale watching passengers of our boat GARÐAR, who left at the same time, were exited to see us and took many pictures of HAUKUR under sails. Sailing out there was amazing, everybody enjoyed the practice, though it was hard work, too.
On our way back home our captain Alli all of a sudden shouted “Man overboard” and the whole crew was alerted. We were spotting the “man overboard” immediately, which turned out to be one of our fenders, that Alli had thrown out, so that we could practice this maneuver, too. We spotted the fender and kept pointing in its direction, never losing eye-contact, while two of us fetched the hook. The captain steered HAUKUR towards the fender and it only took us two minutes to fetch the fender and bring it safely back onboard.
The “Fire in the kitchen” alarm afterwards was the last part of our safety practice, fire-distinguishers were on hand immediately and the virtual fire was put out in no time.
So, our safety practice trip was successful, and of course we will repeat it on a regular basis with all the North Sailing crew.
Safety is our mission. And sailing is our passion. Ahoy!
Ute Zimmer, North Sailing Team
