The Merchant Marine Express

Vol. 2, No. 14
AT SEA
Whew! How time has flown! It has been almost two weeks since I’ve written-sorry!

A lot has happened- both good and bad. We had some scary moments last week as fire alarms were set off during the early morning hours which, ended up to be false alarms. Once woken by an alarm bell, it is critical that the fire teams assemble at their assigned stations awaiting for word on where to fight the fire. We train on a weekly basis, in full “turn out” gear with Self-contained Breathing Apparatus’ (SCBA) for just an event.
In these cases, on two consecutive nights, it was thought that we had an actual fire in the engine room, but, in fact, an alarm was “tripped” by the action of an engineer’s doing.
The weird thing about it was, it happened two nights in a row!
In each instance, It took me all of two minutes to climb out of bed and scurry, half-asleep, towards my Damage Control Locker situated four decks below. As Fire Team Leader, I am responsible that my five “guys” are suited up in their Yellow Firefighting outfits and ready to go “on air” in their SCBA’s. We all thought it was the real thing- and having an alarm at night, was a true indicator that it wasn’t a drill.
During the weekly drill, however, that took place on the Tuesday, we had an Abandon ship drill that involved the lowering of two of the lifeboats. The only down side from the drill was that it scared the living crap out of all who “rode” within the boats as the swinging action and quick deployment was almost too much for some to bear! The brake on No. 4 Lifeboat almost didn’t hold, and a forty-five foot boat, screaming towards the water from eighty-feet above and suspended by two large cables didn’t do justice for the half dozen crewmembers who were aboard for the amazing ride-almost shitting their pants! Folks, you had to be there, to see it!
Well, we learn from drills and the mistakes we make.
The Third Mate Richard “Sheriff” will be going home, earlier than expected! His aptitude and lack of determination and slow work ethics has raised a concern from the Chief Mate on his future, aboard. The last straw was when Rich was on the “mid Watch” from midnight until 0400 and had missed a “turn” at a waypoint and continued to go further than the planned voyage and required an over adjustment by the relief mate- the Second Mate. He’s just overly tired but the workload is a lot for him.
Speaking of work..I have been working on a project to renew some Chemical and Biological Defense equipment. Namely, we have a system that utilizes the fire stations’ water nozzles and hoses that is set up to make an “umbrella” of water over the ship to wash down what chemical agents may settle on the hull of the ship. This system is known as Counter-Measure Washdown System. It’s a fascinating procedure to see, in action! Many of the Military Sealift Command contract vessels have this. Well, the contraptions that hold the Nozzle handle, in place, while the fog of water is being used is called a “clip” which, resembles a gun handle with a hallowed section and many are rusty and the once bright orange colored paint is fading. So, of the thirty or so clips located about the ship, I am chipping and painting the clips to make them new again! Not only am I a Navigation Officer, but a glorified able-seaman during my overtime hours, on deck! A little more than a month left to go! Thanks for all your continued support and news from land!
Have a great day!

Tags: USNS Fred Stockham