The seasons are slowly changing, at least here on Bluenose II our markers of time passing are being checked off. Our last deckhand arrived this week, fresh from University and fully ready for a different adventure. The addition of new crew during the long hours of a spring refit and uprig is always a happy adventure. First, there is an extra body to share the load and help, secondly, there is an injection of enthusiasm into the folks before the mast. With the addition of the last crew member the external training portion of the spring could begin. This year the first aid course is the first scheduled. We have a crackerjack instructor this year who is very keen to share her practical knowledge as well as the academic portion. Books in the morning, scenarios in the afternoon. This course will stand our crew well into their future and will certainly help with the team bonding and their self confidence. As soon as they are finished with their first aid, they are sent off for a Marine Emergency Duties course when they learn so much more in the bigger picture of being safe at sea and what to do when things go wrong.

The other indicator in the change of ship seasons is that the varnishing and painting have drawn to a close. We still have a few outstanding projects but we are largely finished. Yesterday the first block and tackle systems were rove and stacked up. The freshly varnished blocks look great with our traditional looking Spunflex line. Brass keeper plates, shined and lacquered to protect from the harmful salt water really set off the whole system! The keeper plates, originally cast by the now defunct Lunenburg Foundry depict Bluenose. A nice tidy bit of history polished and hidden in plain sight.

We are also getting excited to attend the SailGP event in Halifax. This event is aiming to bring back the spectacle of sail racing not seen in Halifax harbour since the great days of the International Fisherman’s trophy. We will be watching the races in Bermuda this weekend and cheering on Capt. Phil Robinson and his crew.

There is lots to do before we get to Halifax, though. This week, the rigging will start as will the evening workshops with the mates. History, ship terminology, knots and splices, line handling, seizings and mousings, and a myriad of other lessons needed to be a competent deckhand on a replica Grand Banks schooner!