Today is Sunday, and we’ll be leaving our anchorage after lunch (or “weighing anchor” in the correct nautical lingo). The scientists, divers, and cadets are all off the ship this morning, and it’s initially busy getting everyone and their gear to the right places. Then there’s laundry to do, and much sand on the cabin floor to clean up.
Watch leaders Connor and Louisa hold a knots and splicing class for those of us left on board. We learn to tie a bowline, a clove hitch, a round turn and two half hitches, a figure of eight, a sheet bend, a double sheet bend, and more importantly, learn where and why you would use these knots. Every knot has a specific purpose: whether it tightens under tension, whether you can undo it under tension, whether it’s more suited to being undone quickly or is intended for long term use. It’s fascinating how you achieve so many different things with simple turns of the rope. Later in the day I put my new knowledge to use putting up the safety netting along the side of the well deck.
Next up is splicing. We are going to turn some two metre lengths of rope into “gaskets” with a loop at one end that be used for a range of purposes on board. We separate the three strands of the rope, then loop it round and tuck the strands under one by one until the splice is complete. The hardest part is knowing which rope strand to tuck under next, but once the first few are done it becomes easier. After all the tucks are done a hot knife is used to cut and seal the ends. And then it’s done: my spliced rope should be useful on board for many years.
