Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2019

181 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com I am awakened by Mac McAnally’s “Coast of Carolina” drifting from my iPhone alarm. I click on the weather radio and listen: The weather will be favorable for today’s travels. I roll out of my bunk and start the coffee. At 5:25 a.m., I walk past my crewman’s door, “We are a go!” is all I need to say on my way to the engine room. I check the 30-plus gauges involved with the engines, then turn on pumps and fans. I meet my mate at the coffee pot; not much is said between us. We both have jobs to do, and we head in different directions to do them. The generator room is first on my agenda. I crank up both generators, which allows us to run all ship systems while underway. This modest 85-foot motor yacht has all the accommodations a small resort may have. My mate starts cooking breakfast for our guests. The clock passes 6:00 a.m., and the first guest emerges looking for coffee. I head to the upper deck to make it ready for the day. With the coffee completed and with my day going smoothly, I grab my cup and go find a quiet place to read pertinent emails. This is my five minutes to myself as I get a quick picture of the sunrise. Then I go below to shower and get my uniform on. Just 10 minutes later, I am back up on deck with the engines running. I speak with the guests to explain what to expect during today’s travels. My mate and I use headsets to communicate during docking operations. This is a blind boat, meaning when I am at the helm, I cannot see the dock we are tied to. Crew communication feature Photos by Mac Finch.