Hardiesse is currently taking part in the Parade of Sail on this bright sunny morning. There are plenty of classic sailing ships and boats of various sizes, sailing slowly (there’s not much wind right now) past Pendennis head, under the guns of Pendennis Castle. The water’s busier than the M25 right now.
Here is the offshore RNLI lifeboat leading the parade, and between Hardiesse and the lifeboat there is Agnes, from the Isles of Scilly, recognisable also by the bright green shirts of the crew.
In the foreground (that’s hardly the right term!) is the foredeck of Hardiesse, and there are three headsails set. The outer one (just visible) is the Jib Topsail, the middle one is the Jib, and the largest sail near us is the Staysail. Recently we have had this modified with a “bonnet”, which is detachable from the bottom of the sail. This is a better arrangement for us than the more usual reefing method to reduce sail when conditions make it necessary.
There was a fire tug, showing off the jet of water used for firefighting, and the offshore lifeboat which led the parade, along with many sailing boats.
This one is Mascotte.
This is Agnes, locally built.
Falmouth working boats
Here is Aeolus, with part of Pendennis Castle in the background, and the more modern building on the left is the MRCC (Maritime Rescue & Co-ordination Centre, aka The Coastguard).
Fire tug & Black Rock marker
What? You want the sail up again?
Roger grew up on Hardiesse and is one of our qualified skippers.
Other former Hardiesse crew can be found on ships or countries in various parts of the world.
Recently we were visited by Paul “Lash” from Australia, who enjoyed meeting some of the old crew and sailing on Hardiesse again after so many years.
This gentleman, standing by the food locker, is reminding us that it’s lunchtime shortly.
Behind him you can see the alarm sounder, the blackboard (good for writing up menus). In the top right there is one of the prism skylights. These small glass blocks allow a surprising amount of light below deck.
At the start of a cross-channel trip the blackboard will list who is in each watch. The crew will be divided into a Port and a Starboard watch, taking turns every four hours to be on duty.