The Merchant Marine Express

Vol. 2 No.4
AT SEA
It has been over one week since I’ve signed onboard, but it feels like a month!

The ship’s layout is one that is a bit different than previous ships. This ship had a recent conversion completed in the past five years and originally was built as a containership for Maersk Lines, Denmark in 1983. But as I’ve just mentioned, in recent past, the ship was extended and an “Aft-house” fabricated by a U.S shipyard. In doing so, the shipyard had inadvertently switched the framing system to read from lesser to greater- from Stern to Bow. Usually, a ship has a framing system from Bow to Stern; the numbers of the frames get greater as you move back from the Bow. A Frame may be five feet from one another and is synonymous to “beams” in a house. Frames are what help in supporting the hull from stresses imposed by the sea.
A typical day onboard starts out with waking up at 0700. The Watch calls me at my room and it is understood that “three rings” to wake me and who ever made the call- hangs up with out me ever lifting the receiver.
Breakfast is served around 0730 and usually the Chief Mate and the Second Mate are already sitting down for breakfast in the Licensed “Mess”. Not a whole lot of talking goes on, especially for me. I just listen in on any conversation and may say something if I’m asked anything.
At around 0740 I rush back to my room to grab any incidentals I have forgotten or need for the Bridge Watch then a quick jog two decks above to the Bridge Deck just in time for 0745- a “Quarter ‘till the hour” when typically you show up prior to the hour of the new Watch. Here, I meet with the Third Mate who has been on Watch and upon “taking the Watch” he passes along any information such as where we might be going, where the wind and seas are coming from, and anything the Engine room is working on.
We are presently sitting, and drifting without engines and occasionally start up the engines to reposition us into a specific area. During this time, I watch out for any small crafts, which may pose a threat to our area, or just be the eyes and ears for the ship. The Bridge is a “central command” for people who want information. And from the Bridge, I can contact various individuals as well as start and stop critical equipment such as Firefighting systems and other alarms.
My four hours of Watch goes without a hitch and just before noon- at 1145, my relief Watch Officer, another Third Mate, takes the Watch. I’ll make a quick entry in the Deck Log before signing my name at the bottom of the paragraph-long entry.
I have enough time to go get some lunch and chat with anyone sitting down next to me, before heading off to my room for a “Nooner”.
At around 1300 (1pm). I make myself present at the Chief Mate’s Office for my Overtime. Between the hours of 1300-1700, I’ll work out on deck, making improvements to equipment, light maintenance, or cleaning up or stowing of gear. He’ll give me between one to three jobs in an afternoon.
The Union is big on “coffee breaks” and a fifteen minute break at 1500 (3pm) offers a short reprieve from the hostile beating of the sun’s warm rays as well as replenishment of water.
A quick hour and a half goes by and before I know it, it’s “quitting” time and I prepare for Supper by taking a shower and putting on clean clothes. My “safe haven” is my stateroom and I can do just about anything I please. I try and keep a tidy room, but between sleeping, working and meal hours, sometimes I just don’t have enough time!
Every other day, on an “odd” numbered day, I relieve the Watch for a half-hour for Supper and I get that hour compensated back to me. Otherwise, I have three hours for relaxation before having to stand the Watch for the last four hours of the day- 2000-2400hrs

Tags: USNS Fred Stockham