Appeasing Neptune

From the Oostercheldes log in the South Pacific

13 November 2013
Written by Kaatje: “What day is it today? And when do we change the clock? Two questions that have been on our minds for a while. Saturday November 2nd the ship’s log officially states the crossing of the dateline: it is 23:09 Board Time (12 hours later than Netherlands time) and the GPS gives the position: 38°04’44 S. Does that make Sunday November 3rd again into Saturday November 2nd? Confusion all around. Do we have to change the date on our cameras? And what of our cell phones? Well, that’s of later concern; we don’t have reception here anyway, on this endless sea.

Neptune, ruler of the seven seas, put up with it all, practicing his patience. But patience runs out eventually. Last Sunday – more than a week has past – his rage grew so big, that stirring the waves with his trident could not sooth him anymore. He mobilised two of his subjects and called out: “Entering the Western Hemisphere must be done the right way! Gather all people on deck!” His will be done. On the main deck everybody had to crawl under a line to cross the dateline. Not an easy task with wind force 6 on a rolling ‘old lady’ ‘Oosterschelde’!
The hardy sailors easily pleased Neptune. So pleased even, that he gave a certificate to each and everyone of us, received by us with a loud cheer. From now on we are members of his ‘domain of the golden dragon’. The toast afterwards lifted the spirits. Even more so because, before disappearing into the two-meter swell, he also announced that we crossed our first time zone. We advanced the clocks one hour, something we will do another eight times on this journey… A nice present for the watch on watch! Already after three hours they can warm their chilled bones. Job, our excellent cook, hurries to the galley. He doesn’t want to let the quality of his meal suffer under the loss of time.

And so another memorable moment of this Cape Horn trip can be put in the annals of the ‘Oosterschelde’. For now – I am citing Captain Arian – “So far so good!”"