Ball Washing Honduras Style

Ball Washing Honduras Style
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Ball washing Honduras style

The ever necessary ball washing. We are getting smart. A slow realization came to me today. I can pay someone else to do that! .A huge sigh of relief from the deck boys when I told them that a local guy said that he would do it for us. The man named Giovani earned massive admiration from all the deck crew plus a boat T shirt, a hat, a pen and a handsome rate for the job and everyone was happy.

Setting up Giovani

Setting up Giovani
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

French Harbour

French Harbour
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Rain Squall

Rain Squall
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

We arrived, anchored and then launched the tender so that we could explore the dock and the depths of the channel on the way in. Those wrecks were making us feel a little bit nervous! Based on the old favorite, ‘Measure twice, cut once’ theory, it was prudent to check first. As expected, it was tight and shallow.
The picture was taken looking back from the harbour. As we left the mother ship ‘Be prepared’ the famous, Boy Scout motto was forgotten or ignored and we got soaked.

Dawn Arrived

Dawn Arrived
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Another beautiful start to a Caribbean day. It always makes sense to arrive in a new place in day light. My routine at sea means that I am on Bridge watch from Mid day till 4pm and then at Mid night till 4 am. You get used to it, especially when you are at sea for 4 solid days and nights but when we arrive as we nearly always do, early in the morning it makes my day, very long indeed. Here is Dawn. Radiant as ever.

Navigation for beginners

In most countries around the world there is a system of bouyage used by mariners which helps safe navigation into harbours. This is primarily, but not limited to, Red and Green Bouys. In this part of the world we are using the IALA B system, which confusingly is opposite to that used in Britain and Europe. Red, Port hand marks are actually Starboard. Don’t get upset. Everyone knows its crap having two systems but we are dealing here with the Americans who always need to be a little different. Red right returning in North and Central America and red to red, go ahead in Europe.

The Island of Roatan in Honduras has its very own, unique trial and error system! A terrible advert for this run down harbour is the absolute abundance of shipwrecks that litter the entrance. In actual fact, there seems to be more boats wrecked on the beaches and reefs at the entrance, than safely tied up within! Rather than worrying about which colour bouys to look out for here, you must just aim as centrally as you can between the wrecks at the entrance. The wrecks are a very clear indication of where not to go and so the system works perfectly. They don’t teach you this stuff in school you know….

Is the world going to end...?

Does anyone know what is happening on the 1st of February 2008? All roads on board and especially the information line runs out.
The boss is arriving on the boat on the 31st January in Honduras. After that we are lost for information. How many people, how long for, where to and what happens after, is all a massive mystery. We are on a world wide magical mystery tour! This might sound like fun but it is actually a little un nerving and ever so slightly annoying when there are 25 people asking me,what is happening next. Five of them actually need to know because of planning, chefs, chief stewardess and engineers. Its helpful for navigation and fueling logistics and stores and just for peoples sanity. We will arrive in Honduras tomorrow.
What happens for instance, if we are going somewhere that we have no flag for!?

Packham in PRADA!

Chav
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

It must be time to come home, the boy has lost it!

There are some ups and downs associated with working in the Super Yacht industry. Some of the plus points are, reasonable tax free salary and a lack of daily expenses, team that up with being able to buy most stuff at duty free outlets, it means that even for me, it is difficult to resist buying the odd luxury item. (first the excuses)

Sporting a classic time piece from Omega, is obviously totally necessary for any self respecting navigator ( how else are we supposed to gain Longitude?)
The trusty £2 Casio digital just doesn't seem to cut the mustard anymore but we remain good friends and we are still fairly irregular running companions.

Now the balance has tipped! A nice watch is something that can be excused but PRADA sunnies, is plain rediculous and is clear evidence that it's time to come home to save myself from becoming a complete Chav.

New Crew

New Crew
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

In the excitement that we were off to the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal, a new crew member appeared on board. Also useful for showing us exactly how rough it is. She wiggles her hips when the motion of the ocean becomes a little bumby. Together with her colourful clothing and lack of underwear she is a great asset to any team.

The good ship left the lovely Island of Antigua just after sun set the other day. It is difficult to tell which day because of a serious lack of sleep, which makes it feel like it was actually last week. We have taken fuel in St Maartin over night. St Maartin had run out of fuel last week and the 200 tons that we took on board last night , will probably mean that they will run out again soon.

For now I have cancelled our transit of the Panama Canal and we are heading to the little known Bay Islands, which lay just north of Honduras over. The passage is 1500 miles and is expected to take us 4 days and for anyone who is interested we do have the Honduras flag on board...

Dec to Jan Flag Incident report

The international flag police have reported 2 flag incidents on the motor yacht in question during the period and are taking the cases seriously, sources said yesterday.

Whilst on passage to St Maartin from the USA, It was revealed that officers on board appeared flustered and looked concerned. Our sources tell us that there was flags all over the bridge and a rumour spread amongst the crew that the Netherlands Antilles flag might not be on board! "This is a very worrying incident" Jack Union, the chief officer of the flag police, said this morning.
Mr carlisle, second officer was reported to offer, "We might get away with plain Dutch flag?" Mr Union, turned bright red when hearing this report, our sources at the police station told us. 'He spluttered on his coffee and raged loudly, "NO NO NO! Not the plain Dutch flag!!! Are they imbeciles over there? Who is in Charge of this bunch of Numpties?" Our source revealed.
As usual the Captain was not available to answer charges against the vessel which is currently along side, in the Island of Antigua. Mr Packham, First officer narrowly averted serious charges and probable imprisonment when he managed somehow to find the very unique flag at the last minute. "The whole crew were tired and I have to admit to flagging a bit my self. I knew it was on board somewhere" the triumphant officer said to reporters today.

"We will be watching this lot closely!" Jack Union, chief of flag police said this afternoon. It was also reported that the vessel arrived in Antigua with no Courtesy flag for that Island. When asked, Mr Packham had NO Comment and looked up to the mast where the flag was flying proudly and correctly on the starboard, out board halliard.
Our mole on the Island reported a panicked telephone call to Janes Yacht Services on the morning of the yachts arrival. "Dock officials were probably smoking Cannabis and tending to their Rasta hats so it is difficult to get an accurate report" another source told us. "Mr Packham has worked with Jane before and her presence at the gangway upon the vessels arrival can be accounted for in many ways." A captain from a neighboring yacht vouched.
"I did see something thrown towards Mr Packham who was standing on the stern of the vessel as it arrived in Antigua but women often throw undergarments at this popular officer when he arrives in port, so the evidence is slim" another source revealed.

On arriving at the small wooden offices of Janes Yacht services the lady they call Jane was reported as wearing a light blouse and no Bra! We have to assume that Mr Packham is being hounded by the local press on this matter as there is no local law against women throwing undergarments at boats or crew, in the harbours of the Caribbean. So all charges against Mr Packham and the vessel in question have been dropped.
"I still don't trust this lot" said Jack Union, when asked for his comment later today.

The up side...

Pigeon Beach

sunset bar
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Finally the guests departed so we had a day or two to relax, enjoy the beach and a few rum punches over at pigeon beach.

In full swing

Then the party
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Another day at the office 8 to 5.. Thats eight in the morning till 5 in the morning. Sitting the wrong side of the party on new year, miles from home is less than glamorous. Watching the pretty people in dresses sipping champagne gets tiring by 5 in the morning.

Disco deck

setting for a party
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Of course this would be the deck of choice for myself. Not wishing to encourage a re emergence of any old nick names, this really is a cool part of the boat.

St Barts for New Year

When the guests get on board all time is work time ..All of us are fully occupied all day until we are eventually able to crawl into bed for a few hours. Then we get up early to start the circus over.

St Barts is an absolute spectacle at New year. In the picture you are looking out to the bay ,not towards the shore! All the lights are super yachts at anchor. Our boss obviously has some serious connections here because we were tied to the quay for the night of the 31st, in order to host a big party on board. Along side is our day boat, the 115 foot Moon Goddess. The loom of our underwater lights bright and the aft door lowered to receive guests arriving to the party by boat.

Santa came

Santa came
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Even though Christmas was a just another busy day at work there was a little Christmas spirit on board and Santa visited the cabin with, what I was hoping was a Tardice like stocking. It looked like you might only fit one Candy in the thing but there was 3 in there.

Claire

Claire
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Saw claire too of course and then before I arrived,I was gone again, back to Ft Lauderdale, on to Miami a 3 and a half day passage to St Maartin met the boss who landed with family in 2! private jets on Christmas day. We relocated same day to St Barts where we stayed with all the other big boys until new year for a big party of 300 guests

Mum

Mum
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

But I saw my mum

England

England
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Then I went home to England. It is always lovely this time of the year!

voyage to states

voyage to states
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

Then we sailed back to the USA where we were welcomed again with the men with big boots and guns.

bahamas party

bahamas party
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

After the owner and his family left the bahamas it was time for the obligatory letting down of the hair. For those who have hair it is easier.

Antigua

DSC05282
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

As usual life is never dull and after a month of no news there is lots to share but for today and the rest of the month we are in Antigua preparing for our next adventure. The Panama Canal.

There has been a few rum panches shared with the crew on the Tenacious and the world is again at a more decent pace after a crazy month of long days and hard work.