Crew Handbook

Everything you ever wanted to know before you join the ship.

Welcome to your voyage of adventure on board LORD NELSON or TENACIOUS.

PDF of Crew Handbook for you to download

PDF Crew Handbook - everything you need to know about life on board - 12 pages

These crew notes will help you enjoy this unique and challenging sailing experience and should be read by all voyage crew before joining the ship.

Working as part of a watch you will participate in all aspects of crewing LORD NELSON or TENACIOUS from setting sails to washing dishes, from helming the ship to keeping watch at night. Remember you come at your own risk and that any physical work you undertake should be within your own normal capabilities.

“The tall ships experience provides a wonderful, friendly and life enhancing opportunity for people of all physical abilities to work together on board our ships, gain self-confidence, push individual boundaries and be valued for what one can do, not what one can’t.”
Ian Shuttleworth – wheelchair user.
 

Kit List - What should I pack ?

What should I wear  is the favourite question. (will I be able to carry it all is usually the next doubt !)

See our pages on recommended kit lists

Pleas keep personal gear to a minimum as there is very limited stowage space.

The Ships Company

At the start of the voyage you will be briefed by the Permanent Crew on all aspects of life on board, including fire and safety precautions, man overboard procedures and general routine as well as sailing and seamanship matters. You will be assigned a Watchleader who is responsible for organising the duties of your watch and who will help and guide you through them.

See our Captain's Profiles for a more personal introduction

The ship’s company comprises
Permanent Crew
Captain - In command
Mate - In charge of running the ship
2nd Mate - In charge of navigation
Bosun - In charge of rigging and maintenance
Chief Engineer - In charge of all machinery
2nd Engineer - Assists the Chief Engineer
Medical Purser - In charge of below decks and medical matters
Cook - In charge of catering and cooking

Bosun’s Mates / Cook’s Assistants who assist the Permanent crew
 

Voyage Crew
40 Voyage Crew (this is you)
The voyage crew includes 4 watchleaders and a doctor (whenever
possible).
20 members of the voyage crew may be physically disabled and 8 may be
wheelchair users.

Facilties on Board

LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS have many facilities to enable physically disabled crew to work alongside their able-bodied shipmates, without taking away the element of challenge.
Specific built-in features include:
• Wide, flat decks with lifts between them.
• Fully adjustable helmsman’s seat, which is fitted with a seat belt.
• For visually impaired voyage crew:
■ An audio compass
■ A guidance track around most of the upper deck to keep you central
■ Arrows on most handrails pointing to the bow
■ Tactile strips at the tops of companionways (stairs) and bright coloured edging
■ Bright track radar screen.
• For deaf and hearing impaired voyage crew:
■ Berths are fitted with vibrator pads connected to the alarm bells and alarm
lights circuit.
■ Both ships are fitted with induction loops.
Below decks there are bunks in the fo’c’sle for the majority of the crew, as shown
in the photos, and eight cabins amidships for wheelchair users and their buddies.
Bathrooms on board have specifically designed toilets and showers for those
with more severe disabilities.

The vessels are fitted with a messroom, fully equipped galley, workshop, library
and well-stocked bar.

ACCOMMODATION

Watches

To keep LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS manned 24 hours a day, voyage crew are divided into four watches called Forward Port (FP), Forward Starboard (FS), Aft Port (AP) and Aft Starboard (AS). The Mate will explain the watchkeeping system and the ship’s routine. Watchkeeping means steering, keeping lookout, handling sails etc. under the supervision of your Watchleader and one of the ship’s Permanent Crew. When you are not “on watch” you may be asked to help the watch on deck with setting and trimming sails.

Each watch ideally comprises 10 people:
One Watchleader
Someone who has previously sailed on board LORD NELSON or TENACIOUS and has been recommended by the permanent crew for this role.
Voyage Crew Up to 9 people of all ages and physical abilities.

Daily Routine

On arrival at the ship you will be given a watch card with the times of your watches. For example if you are in Forward Port your watch card will look like:

One hour is set aside each morning for all voyage crew to help clean the ship (called “Happy Hour”). One member of each watch is also on mess duty, in rotation, for a 24 hour period. This involves helping the cook to prepare, serve and clear up after meals. Messmen are excused watchkeeping.
Usually there is a quiet time after lunch.

There may be opportunities for trips ashore when the ships are in port!

If you ever have any problems during the voyage please speak to the Permanent Crew straight away - don’t leave it until you get home!

Sailing on Equal Terms

LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS have been designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail the ship on as near equal terms as possible.

On board the LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS is a ‘buddy system”.
People are buddied up, usually in able-bodied/physically disabled pairs, to give help and assistance as and when needed. The system, which is a two way process, has been in operation since the first voyages and epitomises the ethos of the ships. It has led to many enduring friendships contributing to the voyage crew’s enjoyment of the voyage. The permanent crew decide the pairings shortly before sailing.

Remember that a helping hand must be offered if a crew member’s safety is at risk, especially on deck in rough weather.

If you are used to working with disabled people you will take this in your stride. If you are not, there is one simple rule – help if you are asked to, but don’t do someone else’s job because you think they can’t do it.

The following guidelines provide a few helpful tips for both buddies as buddying is very much a ‘joint venture’, relying on goodwill and co-operation. Help is always at hand - you can contact the ships office for advice before the voyage, or, on board, talk to people who have sailed before or to the Medical Purser.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE ON BOARD:
• Introduce yourself to your Buddy as soon as possible on joining the ship.
• Ask your buddy what help they may need. Our experience is that people with disabilities know their capabilities and are very keen to do as much as possible themselves.
• Your buddy may need help stowing their gear, making up their bunk and rigging up their lee cloth (the lee cloth stops you falling out of your bunk when the ship rolls).
• As the voyage progresses you will work out a routine that suits you both but please be aware that at sea and in inclement weather, ships do perform antics which may be unfamiliar!

CREW WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS
• Show your buddy how your wheelchair works.
• It is important that as a wheelchair user you are secure in your wheelchair at all times, and when necessary, it is secured to the deck on special fixing points – you and your buddy will be shown how to do this.
• If you require help in moving around the ship or on the gangway, please ask your buddy. Ask your Watchleader or a member of the Permanent Crew if in any doubt, especially if the gangway is steep.
• Be aware of the dangers posed by the open areas on deck in poor weather. A sudden roll can send someone in a wheelchair rolling across the deck and could hurt them, or others they run into!
• Don’t hesitate to ask others for help when the ship is heeling or tending to roll.

VISUALLY IMPAIRED CREW
• If required tour the ship together, pointing out the special features on board and any potential hazards, and indicate key areas of the ship e.g. companion ways, heads, muster station, bridge etc.
• Both ships have information in Braille on board for those who read it.

HEARING IMPAIRED CREW
• Ask the Watchleader and Permanent Crew to point out the special features on the ship for people with hearing impairments.

NIGHT WATCHES
• If you are a first time voyager you may be surprised how cold night watches can be – it is essential that everyone puts on extra clothing before going on watch.
• Everyone, and especially people with limited mobility, need to be well protected against the elements; there are special ‘cozy toes’ on board for wheelchair users.

GOING ALOFT
With suitable help and supervision, everyone is encouraged, but not compelled, to go aloft, other than in a few special cases. It is an unforgettable experience!

PEOPLE WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES
Severely disabled people will come with their own buddy, someone who knows them, is used to caring for them and is familiar with their needs.

 

RULES AND ADVICE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND COMFORT

LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS are designed with very high standards of built-in safety and are required by law to carry life rafts for at least twice as many people as are normally on board. At the start of and during the voyage there will
be emergency drills conducted under supervision of the permanent crew.

SAFETY HARNESSES
• Every crew member is issued with a safety harness, which must be worn at all times when on deck at sea. Crew can then hook on to upper deck lifelines in rough weather.
• A full body harness is provided for crew members working aloft. You will be shown how to use it at the start of the voyage and it must be used at all times when going aloft.

WHEELCHAIR USERS
• Wheelchair users are buddied with an able-bodied crew member to provide help as and when necessary. Your wheelchair must be fitted with effective brakes which can cope with a sloping deck. Please ensure that your tyres are pumped up hard.
• Under certain sea conditions, determined by the Captain or Officer of the Watch, wheelchairs should be fixed to special deck securing points (called Unwin fixing points) and their occupants wear seat belts. Please note that we do not take electric wheelchairs on board nor wheelchairs wider than 66.5cm - they will not fit.
• In order to facilitate easy transfers in an emergency, wheelchair users must use the Transit Seats provided on board at all times.

GOING ALOFT
Voyage crew may only go aloft under the supervision of the Permanent Crew, or Bosun’s Mates.
Diabetic crew: Both diet controlled and insulin controlled diabetics may be able to go aloft at the discretion of the Medical Purser and Safety Officer.
Going and working aloft is subject to certain conditions which will be explained on board. As everyone responds differently to their medication, everyone will be treated on an individual case by case basis.

Epileptic crew may go aloft under the same conditions as diabetic crew , but must show a current driving licence.

SMOKING
For safety reasons and out of consideration for everyone, smoking is only allowed on the upper decks, on the leeward, downwind side.

SEASICKNESS AND COLD
These two things have a major effect on your judgement and can affect any one regardless of ability. It is usually colder at sea than you think – especially whilst on watch on the bridge.

Seasickness usually settles after 24 hours. The following remedies are available without prescription. There are two main types.

Antihistamine

Sea-Legs - These are the least sedative. Start taking them the night before sailing.

Stugeron TM - Mildly sedative. Start taking them four hours before sailing

Avomine - Sedative. Start taking them the night before sailing

Phenergan - Sedative. Start taking them the night before sailing

Anticholinergic

These should be avoided if you have glaucoma or difficulty with bladder emptying.
Kwells - Can be taken half an hour before sailing
Boots Travel Calm - Can be taken half an hour before sailing
Joy Rides - Can be taken half an hour before sailing

If you know you get seasick or feel unwell, please ask for help, keep warm, keep
busy and get plenty of sleep when you can.

Please notify the Medical Purser if you are taking other drugs as seasickness
may reduce their effectiveness.

INSURANCE
It is the responsibility of each member of the voyage crew to ensure that they have sufficient cover for their needs.
You must be covered for Tall Ship Sailing outside coastal waters.
Please let the office have the details of your insurance policy before you sail.
You must bring a copy of your policy with you for your voyage.
You will not be able to sail if you do not have adequate Insurance.

SECURITY ON BOARD
The Lord Nelson and Tenacious both have to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s security code and these regulations include:
Random searches of persons and their effects on boarding the ship and when entering or leaving ports.
Certain items may not be brought on board these vessels, including but not limited to:
• any goods of an explosive, flammable or dangerous nature
• firearms of any type or replicas
• knives with the exception of a small rigging/pocket knife with a blade less than 4 inches (100 mm) in length.
• Any other form of weapon.
Access on or off the vessel may be restricted at certain times in accordance with UK Government advice and instructions.
Identification will need to be carried to enter ports. You will be issued with a watch card on arrival. This will need to be carried (along with some form of photo ID) to gain entry to ports to prove that you are part of our vessel’s crew.

Nautical Information
LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS have a traditional square rig, but most of the
sails are modern, easy to handle and are the roller-furling type.

Nautical Terms – Glossary

This glossary of some nautical terms is intended to give first time voyagers and
those who have no previous sailing experience an introduction to some of the
nautical terms that will be heard on your voyage. We hope that having some
familiarity with these nautical terms will contribute to the enjoyment of your
voyage.

Nautical Term Explanation

Aft - Back of ship
Barque - Three masted sailing ship with square sails on fore and main masts and fore and aft sails on mizzen mast
Belay - To secure a rope to a belaying pin.
Belaying pins - Steel bars that ropes are secured to.
Below - Anywhere inside the ship
Bow - Front of ship
Bowsprit - Extension to bow/front of ship for holding rigging
Brace - Ropes attached to end of yard (yard arms) used to alter angle of the yards and sails in order to catch the wind.
Bridge - Area outside where ship is steered.
Buntlines - Ropes attached to the bottom of a square sail and used to pull the sail up to the yard when furling square sails.
Capstan - Machinery for raising and lowering the anchor on Tenacious.
Clew - Bottom corner of a square sail
Clewlines - Ropes attached to the bottom corner of square sails and used to pull the clew up to the yard when no longer required.
Come up - Drop the rope
Companion Ways - Stairs and corridors
Crosstrees - Upper platform on mast

Flake - Method of laying out rope on deck so that it doesn’t get tangled.
Fo’csle - Accommodation area in front of ship
Foot ropes - Ropes under the yards to stand on when working aloft.
Fore and aft sail - Sails set along centreline of the ship (see fore and aft sails diagram p.????)
Furling - Rolling or bunching up sail so it can’t catch the wind.
Furling lines - Ropes used to control roller furling sails.
Galley - Ship’s kitchen
Gangway - Bridge between ship and shore
Gaskets - Short lengths of rope used to tie up sail once ‘harbour stowed’.
Halyard - The rope used to haul sails or yards up
Harbour stow - Tidy method of rolling the sail to protect it from weather whilst in port.
Heads - Toilets
Helm – steering wheel
Lee cloth - Stops you falling out of your bunk when the ship rolls.
Lift - A rope supporting the end of the yard
Make fast - Belay or tie a rope
Make-up - To coil and stow a rope
Mast - Upright pole that holds up the sails. 3 on each of our ships: the fore mast at the front; main mast in the middle and mizzen mast at the back.
Masthead - Top of mast
Mess - Eating and social area
Muster Station - Emergency gathering point
On deck - Anywhere outside
Port - Left side of ship (when facing forwards) NB port lights are red (Aide Memoire – pass any red port to the left!)
Ratlines - Wooden bars or ropes making a ladder up the rigging.
Rigging (running) - Controls sails
Rigging (standing) - Holds masts up
Roller furling sails - Sails that are set and furled by rolling i.e. like a roller blind.
Sheets - Ropes attached to the clews of all sails and used to pull the sail out.
Starboard - Right hand side of ship (when facing forwards)

Please note: Setting and stowing some sails (the Courses and Topsails) involves people going aloft, but you are not required to go aloft if you are unable or unwilling to do so.

All voyage crew have an opportunity to take turns at helming the ship and what you have to do will be carefully explained to you.

HANDING SAIL
When, for example, a topsail is handed, the yard is lowered until it is hanging in its lifts, which will then be taut. The clewlines and buntlines haul the sail up to the yard and the sheets, which pull in the opposite direction, must be released. Then to stow the sail it is fastened tightly along the top of the yard by short ropes called gaskets.

SETTING SAIL
To set the sail, the gaskets are cast off, the sail pushed off the yard and all clewlines and buntlines released. The sheets are then hauled, bringing the clews down to the yard below. The halyard is then hauled, raising the yard up on the mast. The yard can also be swung from side to side by means of ropes called braces.

 

Pin Rail Diagram

Ropes running from rigging to the deck are each secured on a single belaying pin. These diagrams show where the belaying pins are and the ropes that they secure.