Sailing Vessel Bellerophon

Sailing Vessel Bellerophon

Instructions and hints for crew & passengers

Bellerophon is a 46’ staysail ketch, which means she has two masts, a staysail and a jib. She’s about 12’ wide and displaces about 20,000 lbs.

The Name

Bellerophon (bell-air-a-fon) was the mythical Greek warrior that tamed the flying horse Pegasus. Sir Richard Howe, first Lord of the Admiralty, had a penchant for using names from Greek mythology when naming new vessels. In 1786, the name Bellerophon was chosen for a new 74, designed by Sir Thomas Slade and built by Greaves & Co. HMS Bellerophon served with distinction at The Glorious First of June, the Battle of Aboukir Bay, and again at Trafalgar. In 1815, after his defeat at Waterloo and fearing assassination, Napoleon made his way to Rochefort, on the coast of France. He surrendered to Frederick Lewis Maitland, captain of Bellerophon. It was this ship that took General Bonaparte (as he was known to the British) to England.

British sailors found it hard to pronounce Bellerophon, and she was generally known in the Service as “Billy Ruffian.” It is by this name that she appears in sea chanteys and sailing lore.

Boney went to Waterloo
Away, a- yah!
There he got his overthrow.
Jean Francois!

Then they took him off again
Away, a- yah!
Aboard the Billy Ruffian.
Jean Francois!

He went to Saint Helena,
Away, a- yah!
There he was a prisoner,
Jean Francois!

Boney broke his heart and died
Away, a- yah!
Away in Saint Helena
Jean Francois!

Directions

From North and East:

95 south to the Thurbers Avenue exit 18.
Take a left at the bottom of the exit.
Go under the highway, and take a right onto Allens Avenue .
Follow Allens past the Port of Providence for approximately 3 miles.
Allens becomes Narragansett Blvd. and the neighborhood becomes residential.
Continue past Johnson & Wales Hospitality Center on your left (used to be the Hilton).
Go through the next light at Norwood Avenue (Route 1A).
Take your second left onto Shaw.
The club is at the bottom of the hill. You can't miss it (especially if your brakes fail).

From South and West:

95 north to Route 37 east.
Follow 37 east to the end.
Exit onto Post Road (Route 1 North).
Follow Post Road all the way to the end, past Elmwood Ave and Warwick Ave.
Post Road ends at a light on Narragansett Parkway. Take a left into the center of Pawtuxet Village.
Go past the village (the road becomes Broad Street).
Go past Park Avenue (Route 12- there's a large white funeral home on the left-hand corner).
Look for Shaw Avenue on your right (there's an antique store on the corner).
Take a right onto Shaw
Go across Narragansett Blvd.
The club will be at the bottom of the hill.

Accommodations & Comfort

There is a private cabin for the captain and a private cabin for 2 guests. There is additional sleeping in the main salon.
The head and shower are forward. Please remember that the water supply on board is limited by what we can carry. Showers are more like sponge baths – short bursts of water, just enough to get wet and then rinse.
Marine heads are delicate instruments. Please keep in mind that nothing except toilet paper and things that have been ingested should ever be flushed into a marine head. To operate the head, turn the dial to “flush” and pump the handle until water begins to enter the bowl. Immediately switch the dial to “dry” and pump the bowl empty. The key is to use as little sea water as possible, leaving the space in the tank available for, uh, other things.
The fresh water in the on board tanks is potable but we recommend the use of bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. The stuff in the tanks is mixed with chlorine to keep it sanitary and it leaves a taste. There is water-free hand cleaner (Purell or equivalent) in the head and galley so you can clean your hands without using the ship’s water supply.

Arrivals and Departures

Time and tide wait for no one. Neither does Bellerophon. Please plan on arriving at least a half hour before the scheduled departure time.
Return times are a little harder to predict. We will try to be back at the scheduled time but Neptune always has the last say.

Appropriate clothing

Closed-toe sneakers or boat shoes with white soles. Black soled shoes mar the deck surface and require extensive cleanup. Barefoot is not a good idea.
Formal wear is usually not required, but gentlemen may wish to bring a navy blazer during Fleet events. (It's called a navy blazer for a reason.)
There are usually plenty of towels and bedding on board.

What to bring

There is limited storage space on board. Please bring only what you need.
Bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a pair of long pants, especially for overnight trips. It is often 10-15 degrees colder on the water than in the city.
Sunglasses are a must.
In case of inclimate weather, please bring fowl weather gear. It’s also useful in the event we’re attacked by rabid swans.
A wide-brimmed hat is a good idea, especially if you’re sensitive to the sun. Make sure it has a chin strap.
There is plenty of sunscreen on board.
If you must travel with a cell phone, bring a DC (or car) charger.
Feel free to bring your own music, either on audio or MP3 CD.

What not to bring

The Emelda Marcos shoe collection.
Extra clothes “just in case.”
Lots of towels, beach blankets or other bulky items.
Sleeping bags or bedding.
Extra food “just because we might need it.” We’re sailing in the bay, not going to the Azores.

Food

Most of our cooking is done on the cockpit grille. There is a single burner stove down below. Please let us know if you have special gastronomic needs.
There is an icebox with refrigeration but not a lot of storage for frozen foods. If you bring foods that require refrigeration please bring them pre-chilled so that the onboard reefer does not have to work extra hard.
If you bring food with you, please bring things that are easy to store in any position (i.e. upside down), prepare, serve and re-seal or dispose. Chocolate layer cakes, pies, casseroles and the like generally do not fair well.
All containers should be disposable, because they will get thrown away when empty.
If you’re bringing crackers, cookies, chips or other snacks, please do not bring opened bags. Bring everything still sealed in its original container. That way if we don’t use them right away they will keep on board for a while.
Please do not bring open beverage containers.
If you bring wine, please bring only .750 liter bottles (standard size). The wine rack will not accommodate larger bottles. Extensive testing has shown that dry, crisp whites like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc work well. Light, dry reds like Pinot Noir are also good.
Any meals brought on board should require minimum preparation. Kabobs, steaks already in marinade, etc., work extremely well.

Conservation

Conservation is extremely important on a sailing vessel, which has limited storage capacity for water, food, waste, trash and electricity.

Water – The boat stores about 150 gallons of fresh water. That may seem like a lot, but it goes quickly. Make sure to use as little as possible for washing and bathing. When washing dishes, shut the water off when it is not needed rather than letting the faucet run freely. When taking a shower, rinse quickly, turn off the water, lather, turn on the water and rinse briefly.
Waste – The waste holding tank holds about 40 gallons. This is enough for 3 people for about 5 days if everyone is being conservative. Use the minimum amount of water necessary to flush.
Trash – We have to take with us whatever we generate. Anything that can be crushed should be. Empty water bottles should be crushed, rolled and re-sealed so they take up as little space in the trash as possible. Soda cans should be squashed, too.
Electricity - This is one of our more precious commodities. There are two battery banks, each supplying about 200Ah of power. The boat uses about 100Ah a day, and you never want to discharge a battery below 50%. This means that it is extremely important to turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
Reefer - The refrigerator represents another opportunity for conservation, since it represents the single largest power draw. If you bring food to the boat that needs to be refrigerated, please bring it already cooled down to 40 degrees or so. Even better, bring it the night before and leave it onboard so that it can cool down to temp while on shore power. Never leave the reefer lids open for longer than is absolutely necessary.

Miscellaneous

Dramamine and wristbands are always on board for the weak-of-stomach. Dramamine should be taken before the onset of queasiness. Wristbands are supposed to work even after the first signs of trouble. Passengers who suffer from excessive sea sickness will be assigned a spot in the dingy, towed behind the boat.
Cell phones may only be used during certain designated periods. A ringing cell phone will usually be jettisoned immediately. There are cigarette lighter outlets on board for cell phones or other DC appliances.
There is usually no AC power on the boat. Battery chargers, hair dryers and waffle irons will not work while under way. (There is, of course, a 12v blender.)
If you are a licensed amateur radio operator, please feel free to use the ham station on board. It features VHF and UHF FM as well as 6m-80m HF. The station call sign is KA1SVW.
Bellerophon uses the Automated Position Reporting System, or APRS, to update our position every 10 minutes. Friends and family ashore can follow our voyage by going to www.weathergage.com and clicking on “Where’s Bellerophon” for a position update. The “Shipp’s Blog” link will take you to the ship’s log, which we try to update nightly.
We usually monitor VHF channel 16. Our callsign is WDC5344 and our MMSI number is 367039710.
You can also call the Captain’s cell phone prior to departure or after arrival at 401-641-0623.

Health & Safety

All equipment, luggage, bedding and personal effects must be stowed in a cabin each morning prior to departure.
Bellerophon is equipped with a wide range of safety gear. There will be a brief pre-flight safety lesson to acquaint crew with equipment like life jackets, emergency beacons, flares, radios, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and the procedure in case of an unplanned de-boating.
The marine environment is a harsh one and accidents do happen. Please be careful while on board and always try to think one or two steps ahead.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed while the boat is under way. Once the anchor or mooring line is secured, all bets are off.
Life jackets are always on board and their use is encouraged if you are unsure about your swimming ability. If the Captain suggests that you wear your life jacket please do so.
When sailing offshore, the Captain will usually require lifejackets to be worn on deck while working outside the cockpit.
Be careful when moving about on deck. Always have one hand security clutching some non-moveable part of the boat. (There are lifelines onboard for just such a purpose.) It is usual for the deck to be wet and a bit slippery.
The majority of boating injuries happen down below. Be careful moving about in the cabin, especially in rough seas. There are handrails-- please use them.
A boat is a damp environment and mold can be an issue. But hey, it’s a boat.
The Captain enjoys a cigar from time to time. OK, OK… from watch to watch. He will try to accommodate the comfort of the crew by smoking downwind.
Dehydration is a big problem on a boat. Make sure you drink plenty of water and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol. Or at least caffeine.

On-Board Entertainment

There is an MP3 Cd player with XM radio on board, as well as an IPOD adapter. You are welcome to bring your own music if you tire of sea chanteys.
There's always some reading material on board, but you may wish to bring a magazine or newspaper.
Televisions are not allowed.
There is usually a camera onboard.
We have a computer and internet access, and we routinely update the ship’s log with amusing anecdotes and embarrassing photographs.

The Custom of the Sea

Bellerophon observes many arcane customs of the sea. Please join us in our appreciation of the grace and romance of a bygone era. Guests will be expected to man the gun, hoist flags, observe colors, and so on.
Many power boaters, oblivious to the rules of the road and the effect of their passing on sailboats, wave as they cruise by at 20 knots, leaving a wake of destruction in their paths. Waving back with more than one finger extended is frowned upon.

Glossary of Terms (*really important ones)

Abaft	“Aft of,” or behind
Aloft	Anything above the level of the deck, in the rigging, is said to be aloft.
Amidships	In the middle of the boat, neither forward nor aft, port nor starboard
Athwartships	Describes things that are oriented at right angles to the bow and stern, or across the beam of the boat.
*Avast	Cease, or stop. “Avast hauling” means “stop pulling on that line”
Beam	The widest part of the boat. “Abeam” means something that is off the port or starboard beam of the boat.
*Below	Never go “downstairs” or “upstairs.” You are welcome to go below or go on deck.
*Boom	The yard to which the foot of a sail is attached. (Called a “boom” for the effect it has on the skull of an inattentive sailor.)
*Bow	The front (pointy) end of a boat
Bowsprit	A wooden platform or yard that extends forward of the bow over the water.
Breast line	A line from the bow or stern used to hold a boat while at dock.
Bulkhead	Interior (usually load bearing) wall.
Bunk	Bed
Burgee	Yacht Club flag.
*Cast off	Untie and release. To “cast off” a line usually means to untie it and let it run free.
*Cockpit	The area of the boat (usually in the stern or amidships) from which the crew works the boat.
Dock	Contrary to popular belief, a dock is not something to which you tie a boat while loading or unloading. A dock is the spot in the water in which a boat sits while tied to a pier or finger.
Dolphin Striker	A stay that extends from the bow at the waterline to the outer portion of the bowsprit to offset the forestay. Also known as a “bobstay.”
Ensign	National flag.
EPIRB	Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. An emergency signaling device that uses the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network.
Fore and aft	Describes anything that is oriented in a horizontal plane from bow to stern. Sails can be rigged fore and aft, as can lines.
Furler	A furler is a device that causes a sail, usually a jib or a staysail, to roll up around the stay
Galley	Kitchen
*Halyards	Halyards are lines of running rigging that pull sails up.
*Head	Bathroom
*Heel	To lean over as a result of the pressure of the wind on the sails.
Helm	Point from which the boat is steered, also the steering mechanism, including the wheel
*Jib	On a cutter, the foremost of two or more triangular sails forward of the main mast.
Lazarette	A locker in the cockpit abaft the helm
*Lines	There are no ropes on a boat – only lines.
List	To lean over as a result of a serious problem, usually flooding.
*Main and Mizzen	A ketch has a main mast forward and a mizzen mast aft. The main mast is larger than the mizzen mast. The terms “main” and “mizzen” can refer either to the sail or the mast itself.
*Make fast	Secure, tie down, etc. Usually refers to a line, as in “make fast the main halyard.”
Nav station	An area of the cabin reserved for navigation and radio instruments. Often contains a small desk and chair.
Pig stick	The stick, or flag staff, from which the burgee or private signal fly while atop the truck.
*Port or Larboard	The port or larboard side of the boat is the left side as you face the bow.
Porthole	Window in the side of the boat that opens.
Quarter	The quarter of the boat is the port or starboard side of the stern. “Off the port quarter” means behind the boat and to the left (as you face the bow). A quarter cabin is so named because it’s on the quarter, not because it’s quarter-sized.
Reef	To shorten, or reduce the area of, a sail.
*Reefer	A cooler or icebox that has powered refrigeration.
Rigging	There are two types of rigging on a sailboat. Standing rigging refers to the lines and other equipment that holds the masts up. Running rigging refers to lines that move for adjusting the sails or performance of the boat.
Secure	To fasten or tie down. “Secure that bottle of rum” means to tuck it away neatly so it doesn’t roll around.
Sheet	(1) (n) A line of running rigging that controls the shape of a sail, pulling it in our out. (2) (v) to tighten a sail using a sheet, e.g. “sheet in the main”
Spring line	A line usually used to dock a boat, running from aft forward (in the case of a forward stern spring) or from the bow aft (in the case of the after bow spring). Used to brake a boat while coming into the dock or control it while leaving the dock.
*Starboard	The starboard side of the boat is the right side as you face the bow. Only boats have port and starboard sides – bouys and light houses do not.
Stays & Shrouds	Shrouds are lines that hold up the masts from side to side. Stays hold up masts fore and aft.
*Staysail	The inner of two or more triangular sails forward of the main mast.
*Tack	(3) (n) A course with the wind coming across the side of the boat, as in port or starboard tack. (4) (n) The forward lower portion of a triangular sail, where it meets the deck. (5) (v) To change direction by moving the boat through the bow of the wind (to come about)
Truck	The top of the mast
*Up and Down	Refers to windward and leeward. If the command is to “head up,” the vessel is turned toward the wind. Heading down is to turn the boat away from the wind.
Windlass	Mechanical device used for raising and lowering an anchor. Often contains a gypsy, or winch used for rode, and a wildcat for chain.
*Windward & Leeward	Windward and leeward (“lew’ard”) are directional terms often used aboard sailing vessels. The windward side of the boat, or of a piece of land or obstruction, is the upwind side, closest to the wind. The leeward side is the downwind side, farthest away from the wind.
Yard	A long, round piece of metal or wood used to hold sails. Booms and masts are both examples of yards.