Log XVI - Artemis 1 (Preparation for the Maiden Voyage)

There was a mix feeling of excitement and anxiousness when I saw her for the first time. I think this is the same feeling as meeting your pen pal, or in this era, your online boy/ girlfriend at the airport. Excited because you can finally meet the person that you are so looking forward to see, and anxious because you are worried that she may not meet your expectations.

When I first saw her, she was cuddled safely on top of a trailer.

Though a bit rugged from weeks of sailing across the oceans, she instill an air of elegance as she exited the terminal gate with the police already lined up to escort her. I followed her all the way from the gate until she finally checked in at Raffles Marina.

She was transferred to her cradle the next morning and would spend the next couple of days here for the installation of fish finder and AIS.

After the installation of the electronic equipment was completed, we would begin our first maiden voyage together from Raffles Marina to Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. I asked a good friend, John Hendricks, who practically spent his whole life sailing to help out on this journey. And luckily he was on board because just moments after we left Raffles Marina, her port side engine temperature alarm went off. Frankly I did not know what to do at that time, the natural action was to switch off the engine immediately. And this was my first encounter and a prelude of her many problems that would be coming our way.