Isle of Palms Winter/Spring 2019-20

8 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.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. By Mac Finch All Aboard A Day in the Life of a Yacht Captain