21.02.2006
From: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN LEG FOUR DAY 3 (2)
Sent: 21 February 2006 12:00
Subject: Headline News Pirates
TECHNICAL EXPERIMENTS
RATS (rapid action technical seamen) Salter (Guy Salter) Ferris (Justin
Ferris) and Clougher (Justin Clougher) were in an instant lather, upon
finding the keel gauge string potentiometer had broken its flexible
attachment to the keel head. This is an ESSENTIAL gauge for boat
maneuvers, so was immediately set upon. Operations were directed by RAT
Superintendent Chief of Everything Williams (Erle Williams), who was happy
to share his practical and worldly knowledge of farmyard repair.
A wonderful time was had by all in the keel wet box that surrounds the
keel head and ram attachments. This is an area of water compression coming
through the keel hinge whilst surfing, and directly underneath is the hole
to the bottom of the briny. Only partial soaking to the shoulders was
necessary to lift the spirits of all the junior squids taking part.
All this transpires under the galley, in a slime of freeze dry slop from
above, carefully laid in amongst the bolt heads and laminate for later on
in the journey. It's actually quite intriguing that freeze dry food
doesn't actually go OFF or rot, which brings us warm fuzzy drooling dreams
of other fabulous gastronomic delights such at Mikky-Deez, which we all
know how good a quarter pounder bun can taste after even a month under the
back seat of the car.
Back online now, and the keel box is once again intact and we once again,
happily have completely erroneous numbers displayed on deck. It's a real
pleasure to be able to share these great experiences with y'all.
INFIRMARY
Medical personnel have had a steady but satisfactory stream of victims
thru the infirmary since departing Wellington. Principally one of our
beefier cake on board, Craig Satterthwaite had the misfortune to perfectly
time a strep-ish throat and inflamed tonsil region with the start day.
This has seen the big fella laid very low, with a note to stay in his
bunk.
Extra sterilization of all galley utensils has been authorized, bringing
the spoon and bowl rinse to probably 1 1/2 - 2 foot pumps on the galley
tap per item, instead of the usual sparkling "lick the thing clean and
park it" methods normally employed.
Craig has been a willing guinea pig for nurses DeRidder (Dirk De Ridder)
and Clougher (Justin Clougher), who have gone out of their way to comfort
him with whatever comes out of the Dr box in the dark. It is unclear as
yet if, in fact, he has actually SWALLOWED any suppositories, but for the
moment what ever seems to be working and he has made a remarkable
transition from "navy grey" complexion to the current "faded sky white".
We are quietly quite happy with this progress.
In other medical reports, more research is being attempted in the "lump"
or "muscle" laboratory, however the patient is being slightly
un-cooperative, after a recent and rampant gorging in NZ. This is only a
minor setback though, as there is well known tropical conditions awaiting
in 2 weeks around the horn, and that specimen abdomen will once again be
revealed for more observations, especially seeing as the superficial cream
cake and lager layer from NZ will have disappeared from Crew DeRidder.
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
It is clear that our newest crew man- Jeremy Smith, is more than just a
yachtsman and sail maker. He has unveiled a remarkable and incredible
knowledge in the BOAT RAM technical area. This is a huge step forward in
our on board boat maintenance and work areas. Specifically ...pictures of
his ram expertise will tell more than a thousand words. You wait, you will
laugh, we all did!!
TACTICAL TACKS
Does anybody know what GRIB stands for?? I haven't got the guts to ask on
board, after 9 years of looking at them, I still don't know. Does this
make me a bad person?
ENTERTAINMENT
Tonight's thriller by popular demand, will be a re-run of everybody's
favorite, Erle's Adventures on Flyer, have you seen it yet??.... Can't
wait!
There you have it from the Lost Souls on the Black Pearl.
Juggy Justin Clougher
For media information on the Volvo Ocean Race, please contact:
Lizzie Green Press Officer at race headquarters:
Tel: +44 1489 554 832, Mob: +44 7801 185 320
Email: lizzie.green@volvooceanrace.org
Sophie Luther Press Assistant at race headquarters
Mob: +44 7956 285548 email: sophie.luther@volvooceanrace.org
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