The Atlantic (3)

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Trip Start May 07, 2007 Previous
Entry Trip End Jun 15, 2007 Next
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  The Atlantic, Florida, United States
Thursday, May 31, 2007

When we were off watch Wednesday morning we learned that one of the vessels "Down Time" a Nordhavn 50 was returning to port after a stabilizer system overheated and could not be repaired at sea.  The boat was not in any trouble, but if seas got high the ride would be bad and could ultimately become a safety risk.  Sue and I could only imagine how disappointed a skipper and crew would be as they steam back to South Carolina for repairs.   We think back now and confident in our choice to continue on and take the berth on New Frontier.  We were fortunate that they we so generous as to take on people they had just met.
 
Wednesday night disaster struck.  It was my biggest setback.  I found that my nearly new 1.75 liter bottle of vodka had been scotched by the former cook.   Readers should recall that Con had hired a paid cook for this journey but he had said he was sick.  Well it turns out he had a big drinking problem and he was immediately fired.  Now, I find out that his last "party" was had by cuddling up with my new and then full bottle of Vodka.  He must have downed it in 24 hours as that was the length of time from when we transferred our wine/liquor from Adventure to New Frontier.  That is quite a habit.  I'm amazed he is still alive.
 
All day today the seas had begun to quiet and winds dropped to under 10 kts.  While not glassy, yesterdays' big swells were now no more than occasional movement.  It was much needed relief for the captain, admiral and crew of New Frontier. 
 
It must also have been to the liking of a certain 30 pound Mahi Mahi which took the bait about 1700.  We slowed the boat down and before you know it this beautiful fish was on board.  In no more than 10 minutes, the fish had been filleted and put on ice.  Our crewmate Mike cut that fish up so fast it looked like a chef at Bennihana.  Then he later provided expert advise on how to cook it.  But finally when the feast was served, he declared that "oh, I don't eat the stuff.  I'd rather have a burger"!  It was hard to imagine.    
 
With fresh fish on board, the planned chicken dish Sue had on the stove now became a fish and chicken dish.  With flat conditions, 1800 brought out a full scale party in the wheelhouse with plenty of wine and other drinks.  It made me wish my friend Dr. Al was near to make his famous "cosmos".  Then Con cranked up the salsa music and an impromptu conga line proceeded around the Portuguese bridge....video at 11.  This party put us all over the two drink limit the skipper normally sets while underway.  But with benign conditions, no one had a concern.   I still wondered how some idiot could be low enough to steal another man's booze....surely the end is near.  But heck, I made due on gin and tonics.  We can replenish my regular brand in Bermuda. 

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