Boat Basics: Using the Head

While we were confident in the Sea Scout’s ability to provide world-class crew, there was one task we were nervous about ourselves: using the head. I had two important questions: what is a head, and can I use toilet paper?

The forward head in forward quarters. Spacious and light! Much like an RV toilet.

The first thing I learned is that a ship’s toilet is lovingly referred to as the “head”. Apparently the name refers to the time when the toilet area for regular sailors was placed at the bow of the ship. By placing a toilet in the bow of the ship, the seawater could wash it out naturally. Being downwind also helps in airing unpleasant smells. The second thing I learned is that we would be using marine grade biodegradable toilet paper. We made sure we located that in the items we were loading onto the boat!

Miss Monique knows her priorities and made sure the TP was loaded first.

Marine toilets are mechanical devices – and they need to be treated with care! The only thing that can be flushed in a boat’s head are human waste and that special toilet paper. No feminine products, dental floss, Kleenex, etc. Skipper Tom let us know the 3 key words to remember: flush, flush and flush. The pipes are not huge in dimension, so it is better to have more flushes with fewer contents than one flush with a large amount of contents.

Since this is a training vessel, that means every problem is an opportunity for the Sea Scouts to learn – including fixing the head!

There were multiple times the forward head would need attention - usually related to refilling with water or making sure to lift the foot lever and seal the bowl. The Scouts learned how to turn off the water main in the bosun’s locker and use a plunger to pump it out. When docked in Victoria, I had to call Skipper Tom back from shore leave when the stern head was down. Between him, Daniel and Mr. Minch, a head repair turned into an electronics class and more!

The stern head located in the lazarette is close quarters, but how many people can say their toilet is a “throne”?

The only complaint I had was the boys on the boat had the forward head with lots of space, natural light coming in the through the port holes and a full mirror above the sink. In the stern head near the female quarters, our head sits on a “throne” in a small room. When standing up to get in or lock the door, that little fan loves is right above your head. Anyone with curly hair knows that big hair + ceiling fans don’t mix! I learned that quickly.

Bella warned me about this fan. This is the first time this short girl had to worry about the ceiling!

For those of you who know how short I am - imagine the head space now!

Day One: Adventure Begins!

We woke up in Tacoma to clouds and fog. That meant one thing: Tom Rogers was right; we need to do fog drills.

The crew met at Tacoma Sea Base at 9:00am. A lot of the youth were already checked in early and hard at work loading up supplies. In case you are wondering, it took three entire truck beds to transport the provisions – aka food and toilet paper.  First order of business was making sure everyone scheduled to go onboard had a signed and unexpired passport, their Sea Scout book and Curtis blue polo.

Once everyone was checked in, the caravan to Anacortes began!

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Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes, WA

Our 1:00 pm arrival was eventful – lots of cars to unload and people to corral. The Marina was packed with vessels unloading and more getting underway. The crew of long cruise week 1 was busy deep cleaning and unpacking. No one was disembarking until Skippers Vern & Debbie Moore gave the A-ok!

Supplies for 24 crew onboard SSS #110 means LOTS of fresh fruit!

Meanwhile, we were busy loading up gear and provisions to board. At the marina there are industrial wheeled carts at the ready to help you load and unload when walking the long dock. Man, oh man, they should make grocery carts this amazing! We saw 6-year olds hauling loaded carts down the gangway with ease.

Speaking of carts, it took us 22 carts to get everything form the cars to the Curtis. Take a guess as to how many were full of food? NINE! Over 40% of the carts were full of fresh vegetables, baking supplies, buns and other galley provisions. Feeding a crew of 24 for 8 days is no easy job…so check back tomorrow when we post about EATING ON THE BOAT: DO’S AND DON’TS featuring our galley crew and head chef Sue Searles.

Teamwork is critical - even before we are underway.

It took three hours from boarding to get everything put away. If you have never loaded on day one, there is something in EVERY nook and cranny. Food gets stored in every place possible! Bunks are loaded with sleeping gear AND personal effects. For this reason, only fabric bags and duffle bags are accepted. Hard case suitcases are not allowed. At 4:00, Skipper Tom Rogers had an all crew meeting on the bow. Skipper’s message included topics such as:

·       Not a love boat! Co-ed cruises with teenage crew need ground rules, and Tom set the stage.

·       Conduct ashore is always to be professional and courteous. As representatives of the Tacoma Sea Scout Base and SSS #110 Charles n. Curtis, all eyes are on the crew.

·       Budgeting! With 7 days ahead of us, it’s easy to go ashore and burn through all your spending money on the first day (or a picture of Frank Sinatra we heard about…). This is actually a really practical lesson – and one that resonated with the crew.

Skipper Tom giving orientation to the crew. Our March 2019 Quartermasters can be seen and are are serving as Officer of the Deck this cruise.

MIss Sue brought sweet treats. You just have to get caught being sweet to get one!

·       Want candy? Unsolicited teamwork and positive reinforcement are the way to Mama Sue’s treasure of sweets. She introduced her reward system, and anyone can participate. Just don’t leave those wrappers laying around – or you’ll spend an extra two hours fishing it out of the bilge pump!

Shore leave was fun – we were even treated to a live concert by JAM – Jeremy Abbot! His acoustic rock and reggae tunes filled the air as our crew without galley duty challenged each other to chess and checkers. Jeremy was great, and when he sang “All-Star”, everyone sang along.

Shore leave is always a blast! Tom is predicting the win.

Dinner was great – have you ever had Chicken Dorito Casserole? We did.

Two helpings worth. Surprised we had room for creamy orange jello with fresh mandarins. Yum, yum! We will all sleep well with full bellies. Join us in wishing Quartermaster and Officer of the Deck Daniel Minch a Happy Birthday – we sang and celebrated after dinner.

Until tomorrow, “sea” you later.

From the SSS #110 Crew at Cap Sante Marina

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