Journal Entry

12-11-06 Punta Arenas

Safety training and change of plans

Oden stairs. We use slippers inside the ship-like at home.

My room is on the 3rd floor. To go down to Oden plaza main deck, where the information board is located I can use the elevator or the stairs ( remember the iron ladders on the US Healy?!).

Can you identify the main message from the skipper on the board? Yes, 12/12/19:00

This means we are not sailing before tomorrow evening. The reasons- spare parts for the Oden got delayed and one shipment of chemicals from Sweden needed for a science study had ended up in Punta Arenas, Costa Rica!

However, tomorrow we will sail. Have a look at the proposed course.

What to do if…Safety training today

Rule number one- take it seriously. The Swedish crew on the Oden, 20 people, works very effectively. Today’s safety training was to the point, intended to safe lives.

The lifeboats on board are closed vessels, looking a bit like an oddly shaped plastic container with seats in it.

Everybody smiles but wishing not to have to use this vessel ever. The lifeboats are watertight and tumble over in high waves. Your body is very safe, food, water and seasickness pills are on board.…

Survival suits are thick, puffy, one size fits most and it is difficult to get in and out.

Kevin Pedigo (above) is an experienced sailor.

Hongjie is a first timer

Valentine is a first timer...

Ute has some experience from the US HEALY

Yes, we are dessed up. Now we have to get out again...