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R/£ Arrrr me bucko, let's shake our booty smartly
December 15, 2009 Edition 1
Bianca Coleman
YOU can blame it all on Johnny Depp, who elevated pirates from the nasty, smelly criminals they really are to the glamorously appealing mainstream.
Here at EsCape Times we believe Johnny can do no wrong, particularly as Captain Jack Sparrow, and we are quite happy to like pirates. It's also good to know we can indulge our own inner buccaneer for a little while with a voyage on the Jolly Roger pirate ship.
The custom-built vessel has been plying the seas off the coast of Cape Town since February with its crew of salty sea dogs. The pleasure boat does several short cruises daily, a longer sunset cruise, and charters for children's parties, grown-up parties, private and corporate functions, film shoots, and for whatever other reason you can think of for going out on the water for a bit.
There are plenty of yachts and catamarans that will take you on similar routes, but the pirate theme is lots of fun. We buckled our swashes and went along for the ride.
Departing from Quay 5 at the V&A Waterfront, the Jolly Roger is a sturdy vessel that can sail in most weather conditions. Obviously you want the perfect day, with calm waters and no wind, but even with a bit of a breeze it's quite pleasant - once you get your sea legs.
It's rather nice to board while the crew of handsome, shaggy-haired pirates with no shirts on clamber around doing interesting things with ropes and knots.
Before setting sail, everyone gets a temporary tattoo and before you disembark you're given a share of the treasure in the form of gold-wrapped chocolates.
I was well impressed to see that the captain, Mark Coetzee, is quite an authentic pirate, with one and a half legs. No parrot or eye patch, though.
I didn't like to ask what had happened, but crew member Bradley Bowden, who also really looks the part with a beard so bushy you can't see his mouth, volunteered his tale.
Apparently Bowden once had a really bad day when he fell overboard (not off the Jolly Roger, I hasten to add) and was attacked by a shark, which munched his arm.
"The bosun tried to help by shooting at the shark with the .45 calibre pistol that was on board, but he missed," said Bowden. "I still have the bullet in my other arm," he says, showing the scars. Yep, real sailors with real stories.
The one-hour cruise will take you out of the harbour, past Green Point - for a new angle and perspective on that monstrous stadium - and about as far as the end of Sea Point. During that time you can have a drink from the bar, lean over the edge to get spray on your face and maybe see the dolphins that like to swim alongside, and join the crew in harassing passengers and crew on other passing vessels.
On the way back, you're treated to a pirate show by crew members Gerry Plos and Pedro Marie, accompanied by a dramatic ("if you have tears, prepare to shed them now!" - that kind of thing) soundtrack which gives a brief history of piracy in the Caribbean.
It may be a little bit cheesy for cynical adults, but with children on board it has to be tailored for them.
Either way, unlike real pirates, it's good, harmless fun and it did put a smile on my face. Nothing to do with their not having shirts on, of course.
The shows are done only during the day trips and private charters, and for the latter you can have just about any added extra you want, provided you have enough gold.
"We can bring in magicians and fire breathers, dancers, whatever you want," says event co-ordinator Junaid Govender, who is also the on-board photographer and videographer. At the end of the voyage you can collect a CD or DVD of memories.
And, yes, you can be made to walk the plank. On charters and sunset cruises (which include as much sparkling wine and orange juice as you can down), when the Jolly Roger drops anchor at Clifton, the plank comes out.
The ship can take up to 70 passengers to sea, but when it docks the party continues well into the night, with lights, music and action for which there are a cover charge and a cash bar.
The Jolly Roger sails several times a day from 11am. The morning and afternoon cruises are R100 for adults and R50 for children, and R200 and R100 for the sunset cruise. For more information go to www.pirateboat.co.za or phone 021 421 0909.
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