Welcome Aboard
We are delighted to have you as
our guests aboard the sailing vessel INTERLUDE, our home afloat.
She
is a Deerfoot 74 built by the Walsted yard in Denmark. The following
information will acquaint you with some of the basic systems on the ship and
will make your stay safer and more enjoyable.
Please look over each of the paragraphs below and ask any questions you
might have.
We have a full compliment of
safety equipment on board. A
crewmember will give you a familiarization tour.
Please be sure that you are familiar with the location and use of the
fire extinguishers, man overboard gear and life preservers.
INTERLUDE is
a large yacht. The sailing gear is
large and may pack more power than what you are accustomed.
There are some tremendous loads and pressures on the gear.
Unless you are absolutely sure of what you are doing, ask for help when
operating winches, cleats, sheets, etc.
If you fall overboard there is
only a slight chance that you will be with us for the next meal.
So stay with us: one hand for the ship and one for the sailor. ALL CREW MUST
WEAR HARNESSES AND PRESERVERS ON DECK DAY OR NIGHT unless the Captain says
otherwise!
The heads worked like a dream
just before you arrived! Please use them ONLY for things that you have previously
eaten or drunk and SMALL amounts of toilet paper.
They thrive on lots of water The flush procedure is to turn the white
knob to "flush" to let water in, pump until all you have deposited has
disappeared. Then twenty full
steady, strokes (up and down) are needed to fully evacuate the discharge hoses.
Finally, turn the white knob to "dry" and tenderly pump the
bowl dry. The heads use salt water and discharge directly overboard.
Water conservation will be
appreciated. Turn on only the
volume you need. A "boat"
shower is to wet down, turn off water, soap up, then rinse off.
Learn about the secret hot
water supply valve but be sure to turn it off as soon as hot water is available.
The shower drain is small and may require cleaning every day.
Please wipe down head after showering and clean sink daily.
We also have a fresh water shower available on the back porch.
Electricity is another finite
commodity. Please use only the
lights necessary and turn off all lights and fans when no one is using them.
We have 115VAC available for hair dryers, shavers, etc.
Just ask and we can turn it on for you.
The stereo, microwave and coffee pot also use 115VAC power.
Natural ventilation is usually
best when the cabin dorade faces forward into the wind and the head dorade faces
aft (so it can exhaust). The fans may be used whenever needed. The ports can be
opened to suit, weather permitting but please dog them shut when closing so a
visual check will confirm they are watertight. Do not open any hatches without
informing the Captain.
Please keep all personal gear in
your own cabin. Wet towels, bathing
suits, etc. may be hung on the life lines (always with clips) when we are
anchored. Please take these items
inside as soon as they are dry so as to keep us looking as ship-shape as
possible.
Shoes that have been worn on the
street should NEVER be worn on the boat. Our
varnished floors will appreciate your care.
We will appreciate your help in keeping all salt and sand out of the
interior. There is a fresh water
shower hose in the starboard aft lazarette for rinsing off salty bodies and
sandy feet
Cold drinks are in the
refrigerator. Please limit
the time that the door is open. Opening
the handle and pushing it shut close the door.
This works much better than slamming.
Please replenish drinks if the supply seems low and fill water bottles
from the filtered tap. Fine china, glassware and red wine are not permitted
while under way.
There is a fairly complete
medical kit on board. Tell us your
problem.
When sleeping at sea it is a
good practice to tighten the lee cloths-- especially the upper bunk.
Occasionally we will need to use
foul weather gear. Please do not
bring it into the cabin when wet. There
are hooks above the aft windows of the pilothouse for storing wet gear.
Since the launching of
INTERLUDE in
1987 she has remained smoke free below. Please
help us keep that clean air tradition.
A watch assignment sheet will be
published which will be coordinated with galley/ cocktail duties.
Everyone will have a chance to show their culinary and clean-up skills.
Again, welcome aboard,