Phil, our first crew mate, has arrived. He strolled by the boat at 0900 or so yesterday hauling his duffle and pack.

After a round of welcomes, we set him to work immediately, as I showed him how to rebuild/clean a winch, and promptly set him to cleaning its mate. He washed the dinghy and fuel cans, and generally made himself very useful. He lived for several years in Hawaii so is comfortable with the heat (and it's always hot in Fiji, even though it's winter down here). Last night was his first aboard and he admitted this morning to a less-than-best sleep in his new environment.

We started the engine yesterday, and it started easily. The glow plug system works well. There are still a lot of issues with the engine, though, most of which were list for 10 months ago. It's Sunday here in Fiji, so we'll have to await until tomorrow to see what can be done. Conni was furious and I was unhappy. Somehow, Yacht Help will have to find a competent mechanic to get this work completed.

I was able to troubleshoot the problem with the alternator not producing current by re-attaching the field wire to the field lug on alternator. That also fixed the tachometer so we're in business electrically.

On a positive note, the dinghy repair was very good and the dinghy does not leak. Phil and I moved the dinghy to the boat foredeck, installed the floor, covered it in a protective sun cover, and lashed things down. We'll stow it before leaving. Our weather window looks more and more like Friday.

We've gotten the boat more organized and she's beginning to look more like an offshore boat, finally.