Jazz Fest

So I'm off on my next adventure. Off to Italy to join my new ride. The flights were fine. I watched "Fantastic Four- Rise of the Silver Surfer" and then “Oceans Thirteen hundred”. I was just trying to get some shuteye when the lights came on for the pre-landing coffee and tea service. I had about a two and half hour layover in Milan, but I didn’t dare fall asleep lest the muted Italian boarding announcement fail to catch my attention. So I tried to listen in on other peoples “converzasiones” to little avail so I moved on to the local giornale (newspaper) and had better luck. At least I could get the point of many of the articles.

So I waited at the gate which really isn’t a gate at all, at least not your typical airport gate. It was actually just the place where you get on a bus that would take us to our twin prop A’itilia plane. So it was a quick 200 meter bus ride and then a short plane ride of about an hour and a half until I arrived in Ancona about half way down the east coast of Italia. Of course they made me sweat a little by making mine the last bag to arrive. Having your bags lost is always a nightmare. Having your bags lost and not knowing the native tongue, priceless! At least, most would pay almost anything to avoid that. But it showed up and I nonchalantly started to walk past the customs officer. I didn’t really know if I should say I was a “turista” or tell the truth about coming to work. Actually I really wasn’t trying to avoid customs I just didn’t realize he was a customs officer! It’s a small airport and there isn’t a customs booth or line or area. Just a senori standing by the exit! Anyway, I lied. Si, turista. Gratzie, Ciao. It turns out that I don’t need a working visa, at least as far as Italia is concerned because I’m working on a British flagged vessel.

So I was greeted for the first time at the airport by someone holding a sign with my name on it. No chauffeur in a suit and cap though. Just an Aussie bloke by the name of Brad. The boyfriend of the Laura who is the daughter of one of the owners’ friends. (For all you Soap Opera lovers). So we chatted about music and travels for the hour ride to Fano, Italy. To be exact, Port di Fano not to be confused with Port di Fino, a gorgeous Mediterranean spot I’m sure they don’t mind being confused with. I don’t know enough of Italy to say with any confidence, but I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s a typical coastal town. The original “Old Towne” is surrounded by tall and thick medieval brick walls with shops and a town square inside where folks meander in packs. The marina is a launching point for new Pershings, Wallys and Benneti yachts and has high sea walls that the locals enjoy taking strolls along.

Thus I arrived at my new home and workplace, a brand new 30 meter Benetti Tradition christened “Jazz of Monaco”. It was to be simply “Jazz”, but it was already taken so “of Monaco” was added. A quick hello with Pierre and then an introduction to one of the boats owners, Neil and his right hand gal, Rachael. Rachael is an English lass and Neil is Australian although he climbed up from down under quite some time ago.

First impressions: Pierre, well you can’t really have a first impression with someone you’ve known for almost two years, so moving on: the boat is pretty with all the latest gadgets to play with and learn, it’s going to be nice to have Brad giving me a hand (actually two hands), Laura is sweet and no doubt will competently handle the interior work for the time we have her onboard, Rachael is a whiz on the office end and as a laison, and Neil is a work-a-holic with intense attention to detail. I mean that in a good way though. He’s a hoot and a great guy. I’m instantly at home with him, love his attitude and his way of thinking. I have the upmost confidence that he will manage this whole affair the highest degree of excellence. All in all I think it is going to be a very happy boat. Although, it will be sometime before the final crew is all together. As far permanent crew it’s once again just Pierre and I. Neil, Rachael, Laura and Brad are all on loan so to speak. Of course Neil I suspect will be on board quite regularly, but we probably won’t be fully crewed until summer approaches. Sometime in January we will hopefully take on a full time engineer and then as the boat starts to see some real use we will get a fulltime engineer, chef and stew onboard.

And so it begins.....

Happy Birthday to Me/ Happy conception to my Sis

Well we just finished another succesful Bahamas charter with the Johnson family from Connecticut?? We started and ended in Nassau and did our usual cruise up and down the Exumas. The pictures are posted. Familar places, different faces.

No sooner had we waved goodbye to the Johnsons' when MJP's friend and Ex NFL player Mo Williams came aboard with a few friends who were still lingering around from a bachelor party. It's spring break so it's a busy time here. No shortage of intoxicated young ones roaming around. The weather was decent, but a little on the windy side. In fact we should be back in Lauderdale already, but when we tried to leave on Tuesday we got hit with 10+ ft. swells and had to turn around. It's now Friday and it looks like I'll be working on my b-day since MJP took the opportunity to invite a couple of friends to fly over on Sunday and use the boat for a few days since we are here. Actually they're coming to golf and we are providing sleeping accomadations. Not so happy about that. Particularly since 25 knot Northeast winds aren't going to be very conducive to golfing and if they come they may well cause us to miss a window of opportunity to get back before the next windy system comes through. Then again things don't seem to be letting up so there may not be any window anytime soon. Very unusual for this time of the year.

In any case, here we are, at least Pierre and I. Chef Fran flew home. Stew Todd flew to the carribean today to work with Captain John (ex-Gloria's Sun Captain & current manager). Speaking with Captain John last night on the phone he asked me how things were going and I responded that we were a little burnt around the edges. Then he asked when was the last time I got a raise and he said he would talk to MJP about bumping me up. I had just enough time to thank him before the satellite phone cut out. Unfortunately I didn't have time to finish telling him not to bother because I won't be on this boat long enough for it to matter. Yes, my time on Gloria's Sun is winding down. Pierre's also. We both really like MJP, but we just can't take his "miserliness" any longer. So Pierre is going to be leaving in June to head to the Med. to look for another Captain's position with the thought of giving me first dibs on the Mate position.

I'm going to be jumping ship before that. In April I plan on taking a US Coast Guard or MCA Yachtmaster (international) Captain's licensing course, depending on scheduling and availability.

It's not likely to lead right away to a Captain's position, at least not on a mega yacht, but it will definately enhance my ability to get a really good Mate position. It will also facillitate my summer plans which require a Captain's license. What are these plans? Glad you asked. My old friend Dennis Feeley has asked me to join forces with him to help grow his business which besides Captaining, teaching boat handling and boat maintenence, includes teaching the mandatory NJ Recreational Boating Safety Course. Yep, it looks like I'll be home for the summer!

So that's where I'm at. Waiting to get back to Lauderdale and waiting to figure out exactly when I'm heading north. It should be sometime in May.

Be sure to raise one in honor of my 27th birthday. It's not everyday one turns 27. Especially for the second time ;>

Special congrats to my sis for getting knocked up!!!! Raise one up for her too, especially since she won't be able to for 9 months.
Way to go Rifca!!!! Now I'm finally off the hook.... :)

So long from the windy city (of Nassau)