| I am the First Mate of the trawler, the Patricia Ann. I | | | | When we are ready to leave our anchorage, I bring |
| jokingly call myself the Admiral because any decision | | | | the hook up, wash the chain and anchor off and |
| the Captain makes can be overruled by me but we | | | | secure the pin. When we arrive back at our slip, I |
| are usually a good team and in agreement. | | | | again handle the lines while the Captain guides Patricia |
| A luxury yacht is a small city afloat. There are | | | | Ann right where she should be. I guess another way |
| several power generation systems aboard, both | | | | to look at it is I am the Captain’s assistant. |
| alternating and direct currents and maybe a solar | | | | Some women might have a problem with that but I |
| system on some boats, a waste treatment system, | | | | don’t. We know couples whose roles are |
| hotel accommodations to allow the crew to sleep | | | | reversed – whatever works! |
| and rest, food preparation systems (electrical or | | | | Another very important first mate duty is to plan |
| propane), food storage systems (freezers and | | | | meals and provision. We both do the actual |
| refrigeration), navigational systems to allow the yacht | | | | provisioning but I get to plan everything. I enjoy this |
| to move about the “city” and even | | | | part and love the shopping even more! We both |
| entertainment systems with movies and concerts. | | | | enjoy cooking – my Captain is the grill-king and I |
| Yes, a {{{luxury yachtlarge yacht is a rather complex | | | | am the galley slave, just kidding. I plan healthy, tasty |
| system. Running a yacht is a team effort – it | | | | and easy meals as I don’t want to spend hours |
| would be very difficult for one person to handle and | | | | in the galley when there are islands to explore! |
| monitor everything. | | | | The Captain on our boat is responsible for maintaining |
| A First Mate’s role is to do anything that the | | | | the boat’s engines and all associated equipment |
| Captain cannot. | | | | and systems. I am responsible for keeping a clean |
| As First Mate, I stow everything down below when | | | | living environment which includes the bridge, sundeck |
| we are getting ready to cruise (anything that can fall | | | | and isinglass. |
| and break while underway) . I also handle the lines | | | | We found an inexpensive way to keep our isinglass |
| when leaving the dock. I also make sure to hang | | | | clean which does a fair job. We put 1 tablespoon of |
| those lines in their proper place once we get | | | | baby shampoo in ½ gallon of distilled water and use |
| underway. The Patricia Ann is always ship shape and | | | | a car wash mitt. Dry it off with a chamois and voila, |
| clutter is NOT an option. While we are cruising to our | | | | you are done. I like the way Klear to Sea works |
| destination, I am reading paper charts while the | | | | better but it is far more expensive so I alternate |
| Captain is operating the boat and navigating with the | | | | between the two. My Captain is responsible for |
| chart plotter. We rarely go without both paper and | | | | washing the exterior and it’s amazing how dirty |
| electronic charts. | | | | it can get. We painted our boat about 3 years ago |
| When we reach our destination, it’s my job to | | | | so we have to be careful which soaps we use as |
| lower the anchor, allowing the Captain to set the | | | | some leave the surface looking chalky and dull. |
| hook at which time I fasten the bridle. If we take | | | | Mike Dickens is the operator of Paradise Yachts, |
| our dinghy ashore, the Captain runs that the same as | | | | located in Florida USA. Paradise Yachts is a full service |
| he does Patricia Ann and I handle lines. It’s just a | | | | yacht brokerage offering quality used yachts and |
| lot easier on a 10’ boat than a 44’ boat! | | | | boats. We sell and ship worldwide. |