By Majo Fernández Blasco

I feel a hand on my shoulder, I open my eyes, it’s dark, I can distinguish a face thanks to the dim light of a frontal that whispers to me “Majo, it’s time.”

It is the 0500 of Monday, March 13, 2017, the crew of Galeón Andalucía prepares to release moorings from the port of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, the last of the Caribbean Sea after several months for its waters, discovering landscapes, meeting people And deepening our culture. A bit of our heart stays here.

The freshly brewed coffee and the desire to sail appease the fatigue caused by lack of sleep after sleeping just three hours after my night watch. Ahead, a week-long cruise to Panama City, Florida.

On board seventeen crew. Pablo Gonzalez, at the head of the maneuver, gives us instructions for the walkie from the bridge, Manuel Murube, in the forecastle has everything under control, and today I have assigned the stern balcony, attentive to the dock, the cables And the defenses, singing every change, concentrated at the same time as smiling because it is a luxury to be able to see as the

Galleon majestically unlocks, saying goodbye to the place that for a few days has been home.

Soft wind and wave of fin waiting for us during the first section for the south of the island, we lowered weeds, at the moment we will not be able to enjoy sailing.

With the work done and the guards assigned the crew disperses, some climb the bridge, others take advantage of breakfast and the great majority direct to the cot to rest, as is my case, I have a couple of hours to sleep before entering on guard The 1200.

Monday ends quietly, with some tropical shower and fishing for a barracuda that we could taste on the half-day menu.

The days on board are spent between tasks such as painting, repairing defects, checking safety equipment, cooking … combined with active guards both in bridge and machine and cinema sessions in the kitchen for those who have rest.

On the third day of navigation, Wednesday 15, in the channel between Cuba and Haiti rolled sea and wind, both to our bow, with such intensity that we had to fall some sixty degrees to starboard of our course in order to be able to continue advancing. Several hours passed before we could regain our defeat. On board, the only concern manifested by the crew is the shortage of bread! Everything indicates that the arrival at port is delayed, rationing of certain foods begins.

With the “meneíto” appear the first yellow faces and flying dishes. The crew scrolls on deck, and going to the bathroom or the shower becomes a risky sport.
Sunrise on sunny Thursday with the visit of the dolphins, Maria, the chief maneuvering officer, prepares us delicious meat burritos to eat, and Jaramillo, the recently embarked Sevillian, fishes a great dorado! Our fate begins to change.

At 1200 on Friday the general alarm sounds, people move fast, some face of circumstance, in a few minutes and armed with life jackets, all the crew is on the bridge. Silent looks to one side and another looking for an answer. Everything under control, it is only the first of several simulacra that we will do during navigation. On this occasion, Fran, the 2nd Officer, shows us the ideal way to put on survival suit and instructs us in case of abandonment of the ship.

After six days, Saturday 18, we were sailing between the Bahamas and Cuba, enjoying the warm temperatures, when we sighted through the starboard bow of Salt Cay, covered with lush coconut trees on white sands, with no trace of human life, surrounded by More turquoise waters than I have ever seen. We long for an anchorage, we settle for a photo. The day ends with the cry of Tía “Sea turtle by starboard” while Nimisha and Bosco curry a tasty rice with chicken for the dinner.

And Sunday came, I decide to make earthly life, I get up later than usual, I go to breakfast in my pajamas and I go back to the cot to watch the movie “The Great Spanish Family” before entering the guard. At dusk we pass Key West and once again the wind and wave force us to change course. The night grows long. Xarly, the foreman, steers the waves, lurking under the machine, controlling temperatures, pressures, pumping, racking, leaks … and the rest of the guard overlooks the horizon between round and round of safety. The cold does not help and the pantocazos make dent in the boat.

As there is no harm that a hundred years lasts, a calm and sunny Monday rises in the Gulf of Mexico. Eight days of cruising that have ended our stock of fresh fruit and vegetables, but not with the chocolate cookies, the crew is happy. The night falls, so calm and dark that we confuse sea and sky, we sail among the immensity of the stars that shine more than ever.

The good weather continues on Tuesday, We took advantage of the absence of wind to work on the sails and rise yards. In the afternoon the captain scores a bit, clutch engines and lets us bathe! Jumps, videos and laughs. Nice finish for this great trip.