Water, Water Everywhere
Tenerife, Canary Islands to Great Abaco Island, Bahamas
And Not a Drop to Drink!
MAST GLobal
Sailing the Atlantic
"Water, water, everywhere and all the boards did shrink. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink."
This is a line taken from a well-known poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
It refers to the fact that a ship is surrounded by water but to drink is a premium. Unlike the days of old where fresh water was stored in wooden casks, in this modern age a machine called a reverse osmosis system (or water maker), colloquially called an RO, makes water on a daily basis when operating properly. Ours had some challenges a few days into the voyage and it's not till you need it that reality sets in that you may not have fresh water! Over a 48-hour period we prayed, repaired and prayed again. The sea water became less and fresh water became more. How grateful we are for small mercies.
This is a line taken from a well-known poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
It refers to the fact that a ship is surrounded by water but to drink is a premium. Unlike the days of old where fresh water was stored in wooden casks, in this modern age a machine called a reverse osmosis system (or water maker), colloquially called an RO, makes water on a daily basis when operating properly. Ours had some challenges a few days into the voyage and it's not till you need it that reality sets in that you may not have fresh water! Over a 48-hour period we prayed, repaired and prayed again. The sea water became less and fresh water became more. How grateful we are for small mercies.
“Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink."
— Samuel Taylor Coleridge
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink."
— Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Black and Blue
Shortly before we left Tenerife the ship's boiler/hot water heater failed. So, although we were grateful for fresh water to drink and bathe in, it had been cold. Showers on board ship are very small and with constant motion .
So, I sought out an alternative solution.
On the stern of the vessel is an outside shower head for washing off after a swim call. It is located adjacent the 330 Gallon fuel tanks, purchased for the extensive transatlantic sail, secured at the base with timber. Unfortunately, I miss-stepped due to the ship's rolling and my right foot slammed into the 2x4 and a sort of dance ensued. The outcome of the collision was a broken toe, which turned black and blue almost immediately. I applied a tape splint and it's still painful to the touch, but slowly healing.
Shortly before we left Tenerife the ship's boiler/hot water heater failed. So, although we were grateful for fresh water to drink and bathe in, it had been cold. Showers on board ship are very small and with constant motion .
So, I sought out an alternative solution.
On the stern of the vessel is an outside shower head for washing off after a swim call. It is located adjacent the 330 Gallon fuel tanks, purchased for the extensive transatlantic sail, secured at the base with timber. Unfortunately, I miss-stepped due to the ship's rolling and my right foot slammed into the 2x4 and a sort of dance ensued. The outcome of the collision was a broken toe, which turned black and blue almost immediately. I applied a tape splint and it's still painful to the touch, but slowly healing.
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
— James 1:2
— James 1:2
9 Rainbows
There have been many challenges during this sail but I consider it all joy in many ways, as Paul encourages us in James 1:2-4. We've been blessed that we missed every tropical depression in a what has been a record-breaking hurricane season, with Hurricane Epsilon just north of us at the moment of writing.
We've witnessed nine rainbows on this leg of the journey, a reminder of God's love for us and a beautiful sight to behold at sea!
Thank you for your prayers for the crew of the SY Next Wave!
- Matthew
There have been many challenges during this sail but I consider it all joy in many ways, as Paul encourages us in James 1:2-4. We've been blessed that we missed every tropical depression in a what has been a record-breaking hurricane season, with Hurricane Epsilon just north of us at the moment of writing.
We've witnessed nine rainbows on this leg of the journey, a reminder of God's love for us and a beautiful sight to behold at sea!
Thank you for your prayers for the crew of the SY Next Wave!
- Matthew