MAIN MAG ON BOARD SPRING 21

UPFRONT
OPINIONS, FACTS, STORIES AND WHAT’S NEW
IN THE FASCINATING WORLD OF YACHTING
THE NUMBER OF
CENTIMETRES
THAT THE
MEDITERRANEAN
SEA IS EXPECTED TO RISE BY THE YEAR 2050
NAUTICAL ETYMOLOGY...
HUNKY DORY
YACHTIE TYPES
KNOW ALL NEWBIE
“I’ve got my Yachtmaster and I know
how to use it,” says the greenhorn,
currently sat in the crew bar sipping
his latte macchiato green matcha tea
and sharing his vast knowledge to
anyone brave enough to listen. With
his polo sporting creases from the
packet, and his deck shoes blindingly
shiny, the entitled greenie is certain
he does not need to dockwalk,
because the seaschool who oversold
him a vast amount of unnecessary
qualifications and courses, told him he’s
ready to arrive in Antibes and step straight
onto a 40m MY as a Mate. Must be true
then. Plus, his mum Karen has
already registered him at all the
crew agents so he just needs to wait until he’s hired now. Easy.
An expression suggesting that all is perfect, thought
to have been coined by American sailors who used
it to describe a particular street in Japan called
Honcho-dori, known (and here one can use one’s
imagination) for the services available to lonely
sailors who were on shore leave.
©Kristine | Flickr
There is nothing like lying
flat on your back on the
deck, alone except for
the helmsman aft at the
wheel, silence except for the
lapping of the sea against
the side of the ship. At that
time you can be equal to
Ulysses and brother to him.
Errol Flynn
THE BAROMETER
VACCINATIONS! The vax programmes roll out
across Europe, but we’re still lagging behind the
UK. However, it finally feels like an end is in sight.
Only time will tell and will we get to go on our
summer holidays?
MASKS IN SPAIN But it’s so hot right now, and
they have been enforced on the beaches so when
summer hits, there are going to be some very
interesting tan lines. Have you got your mask-ini
ready?
BRITNEY’S BACK in the news again as the
poor girl still continues court battles to get her
dad, Jamie Spears, removed as her conservator.
Apparently if she wins she’s considering a
Meghan and Harry style Oprah interview. Let’s
hope she wins then, we all want to see that one.
ROBOT REVOLUTION LG’s CLOi family was
introduced at the 2021 CES in Vegas. A family of
robots, ServeBot, ChefBot, BarBot, Deckie-Bot.
These could catch on, so when you get one of
those ‘needy’ guests, just send in your Bot!
ANXIETY It’s been a tough 12 months for
seafarers and yachties across the globe. Mental
health issues are real and it’s not just those on
board, it’s been tough for all. Stick together, talk
to someone and let’s hope people can get the help
they need.
COVIDSPIRACIES The funny, curious and
damn-right ridiculous theories continue to
infiltrate social media platforms. The latest fear
for the anti-vaxxers amongst yacht crew is that
owners will insist on all crew being vaccinated.
Could this be a reality? Watch this space…
NAUTICAL HEROES ROBERT FITZROY
Robert FitzRoy, who first visited
New Zealand as commander of
the Beagle in 1835, was Governor
from 1843, succeeding the late William
Hobson. He served until 1845, when
he was recalled to Britain and replaced
by George Grey. His first command
was the Beagle. In 1831 he surveyed
the coasts of Patagonia, Tierra del
Fuego and the Straits of Magellan. He
was accompanied by the naturalist
Charles Darwin, whose publications
were largely based on discoveries and
observations made during this voyage.
CREW MOVEMENT Things blew up at the
end of March with British crew wondering what
to do when in Europe and not signed on to a
vessel as their 90 days in 180 run out. Some
are going home, others plan to run the gauntlet
and overstay, risking long term issues if they’re
caught.
DODGY RECRUITMENT AGENCIES Each year we
see the same complaints of upfront fees being
charged, crew arriving with no such yacht. For
goodness sake, never pay an upfront fee, please!
ONBOARD | SPRING 2021 | 9