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Once our crew masters the arts of line handling, they can put their new skills to use. In a sense, operating a sailing ship like the Half Moon is like manipulating a giant marionette, with each line moving a specific yardarm or sail in a specific way.
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Working the sails requires a lot of hands, and thus a lot of cooperation. The crew divides into teams while sail handling -- one team working the fore mast while the other works the main mast. The spritzel and mizzenmast sometimes see use as well, though these require advanced training.
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The mast teams must coordinate their efforts to effectively steer and propel the ship when under sail.
These sails both propel and help steer the ship. In fact, the fore sails have more effect on determining the Half Moon's direction than its rudder!
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With an intense storm having passed over the ship the previous night, we found a gentle, northerly wind to our backs throughout Day One, allowing us to set sail almost from the moment we came off the dock, and then to remain under sail until sunset.
The student crew immediately responded to this opportunity to get hands-on with the ship, coming together as a crew by the end of their first day.
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Happily, the weather held, and we were able to enjoy several days of brisk sailing during the first leg of the voyage.
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