News

Onboard roles: Crew

25 July 2007

Bowman

The bowman is in charge of the foresails on the boat, either the two headsails or the spinnakers, depending on the sail configuration and point of sail. They are responsible for ensuring quick and efficient headsail changes and keeping all the lines (sheets and halyards) clear and positioned properly, ready for each manoeuvre. They sometimes double up as the “mast monkey” and therefore always wear a climbing harness.

Mother watch

There is no room for glory seekers and everyone takes it in turn to cook and clean as well as being involved in sailing the boat. For mother watch a crew member from each watch drops out of the watch system for 24 hours to take on the not inconsiderable responsibility for keeping the crew fed and watered, as well as cleaning the boat from top to bottom.

Boat medic

In addition to the skipper’s medical qualifications one round the world crew member for each of the yachts takes on the role of Boat Medic. Ideally it is someone who is already medically qualified, or has been trained in first aid, and everyone taking on the role must complete the MCA Proficiency in Medical First Aid Aboard Ship course. This means there is always someone available to take care of a crew member should they become ill or injure themselves at sea.

Engineer

There are a number of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems on the Clipper 68s and the engineer is responsible for servicing and maintaining all of them. They include the engine, generator, gas appliances and water maker and the engineer has to repair them and get them running again if they fail during the race. They are also responsible for making sure sufficient spares and tools are carried on board and if any break or get lost overboard –spanners don’t float – they have to make sure they are replaced during port stopovers. The position is ideally filled by a qualified engineer but if there isn’t one on board the person taking on the role undertakes a relevant marine engineering course prior to the race start.

Victualler

This is the person responsible for ensuring the boat is provisioned with enough food and supplies (the victuals) for each of the seven legs of the race. This is no small task; menus have to be carefully planned and corresponding shopping lists produced. They must carefully calculate the quantities needed to feed a crew of 18 people for a period of between three and four weeks, not forgetting to take into account any special dietary requirements. It is a very important job as a well-fed crew is a happy crew and a well-planned menu that provides a balanced diet will ensure they have enough energy to perform to the best of their ability.

There is no refrigerator on board, so fresh food has a limited lifespan. On hot legs fruit and vegetables may only last a few days. Most of the menus must therefore include meals concocted from tinned and dried ingredients and are often rice or pasta-based. Other staples, like bread and milk, have to be carefully calculated. The victualler has to make sure the yacht is stocked with enough bread mixes and dried milk as bread is baked fresh every day the yachts are at sea.

Photographer and video camera operators

With the increased media attention the Clipper Race now attracts, the importance of recording life on board is becoming greater. Two crew members from each yacht will take on responsibility as the photographer and video camera operator for their team to ensure all aspects of their adventure is pictured and filmed. The receive training from Clipper 07-08’s official photographer and host broadcaster before the race starts in order to allow them to learn how to get the best out of the equipment and how to process it using onboard software, before sending it back to the race office using the yacht’s communications systems.

Sail repairer

Sail repair is another hugely important job but certainly not one that is done alone. One or two members of the core team will go on a course before the start of the race to learn the art of repairing sails on board. Each of the yachts is supplied with a heavy-duty sewing machine, sail needles and other specialised equipment to assist with the task.

Sails are essential to keep the boat moving and if a sail tears while it is being used then it has to be taken down and repaired as quickly as possible in order to minimise loss of performance. Major sail damage, such as a spinnaker ripping from one end to another, will often require a team of people sewing continuously – and it can take many hours - until it is repaired and can be re-hoisted.

Diarist

This role can be taken on by more than one crew member on each yacht and they ensure a regular flow of information back from the boat. Their diary entries help those on land including friends, family and supporters, to get a better insight into life at sea.