Above deck and below deck

Update by George Ayers:
“There are two realities on board the ‘Oosterschelde’. Above deck and below deck. They could not be farther apart. 
Above deck our watches demand attention and vigilance. It is a place where experience prevails, the sight and sound of the sails, constant helm correction and always under the constant watchful eyes of the regular crew. It’s the soul of the ship amid a hundred lines and pins connecting sails with names and uses that often confuse and perplex us. We struggle with the halyards and sheets, bunts and clews. “Fore side hoist, make fast, make fast”. Above deck is a place where changing weather greets us changing from sun and cloud to rain and back again. During the day the horizon line remains a constant and the ship sways and dips along it. During the night, the deck and masts seem firmly planted and it’s the night sky and stars that move with the swells.

For us, below deck is that calm place to sleep, eat and chat with fellow crew mates – and just chill out. There’s more than that of course. Our cook, Ian, works his tail off down in the galley, keeping us fed and smiling. We all set tables, clean and store dishes, clean brass, break down garbage, but generally life down below deck is more relaxed and belongs to us. So while the swells and wind, with a strong starboard heel, send water spilling over the deck above, here below, we line up for coffee struggling up a twenty degree incline.”