Diving gear and final checks
22 October 2012 | Vilamoura
Dan Jenkins
Posted a few days later than intended...our final day in Portugal, another sunny day and one of our busiest.
After an early start we divided into two groups, Keith heading down to the boat to meet Neil and run through final checklists and equipment logs. A comprehensive list covering everything still required was created. From a Bosun's chair to spare cleats, the two of them made sure that we'll have everything required for the crossing as well as all the spares and repair materials we'll need.
Gary & I headed over to the other side of the marina tasked with filling up the oxygen canisters we'll be carrying on board along with our mini-b diving kit, perfect for any trips to look at the hull of the boat (or some adventurous spear fishing!). A trip to Torpedo Subaquatics and Carlos Da Silva (himself a well known spear fisherman in his day) and we were set...all that was required was a trial run - The Sunset Villas pool provided the perfect place and both the diving packs and mini-b bladefish (underwater propulsion) worked perfectly.
Back to the boat to meet up with the sail maker, come to put some extra stitching into the canopy on the boat and patch the mainsail ahead of the crossing, as well as Joop a Dutch marine electrician living in Portugal who is installing all the new radar equipment, radios and solar panels required for such a voyage.
From there it was farewell to Vilamoura for those flying down to Gran Canaria (Neil, Gary and Keith are planning on doing the Portugal to Gran Canaria leg though) and back to the airport and a wet and grey London via Decathlon Sports in Faro for dry bags and wetsuit boots.
Work on the boat continues with the plan being to depart Vilamoura around 1st November for Gran Canaria. Keep an eye out for updates from leg 1 of the journey.