After Thursday came Friday!

Friday had bright sunshine and the spirit of the day was all around the ship. A proper Friday feeling. A night out in town planned for after work and day working in the sun. Job one, to launch all the Tenders. I would like to say that tenders are small boats but in this case, they really are not.

The swimming pool at the stern was filled which in turn floats the taxi tender from its chocks and the big hydraulic doors at the back lower down and up respectively, so that we can back it out using its twin diesel engines and bow thruster if necessary. The bottom stern door then raises back leaving a 15 meter, indoor swimming pool. After that, the side door is raised, the crane is connected to the ‘Monte’ a 30 foot open sports cruiser. This is lifted clear by telescopic arms and lowered into the water by the side of the ship.

Off to the bow. A hydraulic hatch a bit like a car bonnet only a bit bigger slowly raises to its 90 deg point and with a cool sounding clunk, locks in place. Another crane is utilised to launch the rigid inflatable with an inboard diesel engine and an Italian jet drive, revealing bellow it a very fancy water ski boat. We didn’t launch that though or the four jet skis either.
All ready, all engines started and warmed up. Then we had to drive the boats to the place an hour up river where they are all to be serviced. With no speed limits on the river the Friday feeling was getting better and better..

At the marina waiting for the car to come pick us up, me and the other deck crew were sipping cold cans of coke sitting in the shade. Grinning from ear to ear. We were back just in time for our lamb cutlets for lunch. Yummie.