08 July 2002
Sylvain Brault, skipper

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The last day before the big departure!

06:30 : General quarters sounded. Practised our fire drill and abandon-ship drill. The Transport Canada (TC) inspectors are coming to check out the last details before signing our inspection certificate. We work well together; the teams are well synchronized. We all got a laugh when we put on our survival gear – we looked like a bunch of Teletubbies!

08:30 : Inspectors’ first visit. They tour the ship to check off the required items on the pre-departure checklist.

09:15 : Skills test for the crew – return of the Teletubbies – for the last time, we all hope!

09:45 : Group meeting for the list, departure scheduled for 15:00.

11:12 : Portable fire pump (required by TC) arrives.

11:15 : Begin installing pump.

11:45 : The inspectors ask to see all our certificates and other papers.

12:30 : A quick lunch; the inspectors are coming back to finalize our paperwork.

13:45 : Inspectors return and check the final list again.

14:00 : Lyne Dany of Radio-Canada comes on board to film our departure, now postponed to 16:00.

15:10 : Problem with refuelling; the diesel tanker trucks won’t arrive until 16:00, and it takes an hour and a half to refuel, so departure now postponed until about 17:40.

16:50: Isabelle returns from some last-minute errands.

17:12 : Sylvie asks, where’s the bread? Catherine goes off to buy our last supply of fresh bread.

17:30 : Final inspection of pump and review of checklist with inspectors. As of 17:42, all systems are go. Inspectors sign the inspection certificate and leave the ship, to the applause of the assembled crowd.

18:00 : The last guests on board take their leave, with kisses and hugs all around.

18:10 : Our fingertips tingling with excitement, we cast off from the wharf at Cap-aux-Meules.

18:25 : We set sail, escorted by seven other vessels, including the one from the Coast Guard. These final goodbyes make for a touching moment.

18:45 : All alone now off the Magdalen Islands, we sail carefully around the lobster buoys (this is the last week of the lobster season). Speaking of lobster, that’s what Sylvie is serving tonight to celebrate our departure – a nice touch that everybody appreciates.

19:35 : Now that things have calmed down, we all take time out to reorganize our things and to get over the stress of the long-delayed departure and the emotions of separation.

20:10 : Dinnertime. Lobster and fresh strawberries – best enjoy the fresh fruit while we can!

21:45 : Night falls on the Gulf of St Lawrence. The crew retires for a well-earned rest, while Captain Guy Gaudin and First Officer Germain Tremblay stand the first 2-hour watch on the bridge. They will be relieved in turn by Isabelle, Catherine, Jean-François, Geoff, Stan, Gérard, Serge and Hubert.

22:00: heading: 22°, position 47°37' N latitude 61°19' W longitude
01:41: heading: 22°, position 48°04' N latitude 61°01' W longitude
03:50: heading: 22°, position 48°21' N latitude 60°50' W longitude
09:00: heading: 22°, position 49°09' N latitude 60°15' W longitude

All is well. We’ve reached our cruising speed.