New answers received from Concordia by 12/18/95
:What happens if the ship catches on fire?...Mrs. Goodale's class and the Manatee Team -- 12/11/95
nswered by Nathan Boersma -- 12/12/95
A: There are numerous safety features concerning fire on our boat. Fire is a very serious problem on a boat, because once out of control nothing can stop the boat from going up in flames. We have four fire hoses on deck, these can reach most parts of the boat. If the primary water pump is damaged we have an emergency fire pump. There are fire extinguishers throughout the boat, along with a fire axe in the two major gangways. Also there is a carbon dioxide release system for the engine room. When activated it can suffocate any flames in the engine compartment. And last there are large metal doors that partition the boat into three sections. When they are closed no water or fire can get through them which protects the boat from becoming completely engulfed in flames. If none of these fire safety features work we would have to abandon ship, and swim (or take a life raft) to the nearest shore.
: When you go to different countries, do you have to exchange your money every time? ..Angela, Hamilton, IN -- 11/30/95
nswered by Tania Mutch 12/11/95
A: Almost every port that we go into has different money, so usually the first thing we do is try to find a bank or an exchange office to change our money to the local currency. The most widely accepted currency is American dollars, some students carry cash but others use travelers checks. Travelers checks are usually a lot harder to cash because you have to have your passport with you so they know that the checks really belong to you. Sometimes it’s hard to get money because we arrive in ports on holidays or late in the day when everything is closed. If we are desperate, we can usually still use credit cards if we have them, or some places like restaurants will even take American dollars. Actually in Zanzibar, when we went to a beach on an nearby island, they wanted us to pay in American dollars instead of Tanzanian shillings.
: Do the students participating in Class Afloat have sailing experience prior to coming on the Concordia? ...Ms. Firth's 7th Grade Class -- 11/30/95
nswered by Geoff Kendrick -- 12/15/95
A: Onboard Concordia, there are some students who have sailed before, but most have not. To participate in Class Afloat, you are not required to have any sailing experience prior to coming on the voyage. I have sailed before. I taught others about lasers at the yacht club near my house the summer before coming on Class Afloat. My past experience with boats did help me to get used to life on the ship a lot faster than other students. While on the ship we have sailing training. In this course, we learn about navigation and the rules of the water, as well as the procedure for sailing our ship. Sailing onboard the Concordia is different than any of the sailing I have ever done because the ship is barquentine. We have learned a lot about the ocean and sailing on a square rigged ship and will continue to do so as we encounter new waters.
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