The Merchant Marine Express

At Sea
Course 297
Speed 15.6 knots
We have been at sea since leaving Houston back on the 3rd of February.
Currently, we are on the Pacific side transiting northward past the Gulf of Tehuantepec

and will ultimately be heading to our final destination of the Port of Los Angeles. This region in Mexico is known for high winds and high seas which, come off the coast just as the familiar phenomenon occurs in LA known as the warm “Santa Ana” winds blows from the desert westward towards the ocean. We are anticipating bad weather in the next twelve hours. My extra-senses are on “high alert” just as I’ve been trained and previous experiences are being drawn from for such an event to come. All I really need to do to prepare is make sure all items are ‘secured” in my room so they won’t go “adrift”.
The Panama Canal went well back on the 10th of February. We had anchored for two days within the “anchorage” just outside of the town of Cristobal, located on the northern entrance on the Atlantic side. We were awaiting permission to “head in” and pick up our Pilot before the long ten-hour transit. Due to the fact we are a tanker and carry “dangerous and hazardous liquids” it is compulsory that we transit during the daylight hours. However, we were on a waiting list among dozens of other ships that were awaiting transit. This daylight passage would offer views of the lush forests and jungles that would make one’s mouth gape. A few rare birds were identified as well as a sighting of an Alligator made for an otherwise long, boring transit, exciting. My duty was to assist with the lines on the stern. The three mates’, two thirds and one second would alternate on the stern, based on off-watch schedules. The Panamanian workers would handle the wires coming from the “mules”, which essentially were small locomotives on either side, within the locks and secure them to our “bits” as these trains on tracks pulled our ship from Lock to lock. Keep in mind, the locks are a “series” of locks separated by miles of man-made canals that span about hundred miles or so.
Within each lock, a ship stands by as the water is either drained or filled to a level equal to the next lock or canal. Each set has a “pair” of locks so more than one ship can enter, at a time. I equate this analogy to two powerful dragsters lining up at their respective lanes waiting for the lights signaling them to burn down the track as fast as they can. In this case, our “dragster” races to twelve knots in ten minutes, and only one ship, at a time, can move out of each lock.
My watchstander, AB is a guy named “Joe”. Well Joe is a young man, who doesn’t know what he wants and tries to whine his way to get whatever he needs. I was told by other Mates onboard to watch out for him because of his lack of motivation or insubordination has all but forced him home, by the captain. He’s been difficult to cope as he doesn’t concentrate at the job, at hand- a simple one that primarily involves looking out towards the horizon and around the ship for other vessels. He’s like a neurotic little kid who can’t stay still such as those who just had three candybars just before bedtime. and In fact, I learned first hand of his ways on the first day or two of leaving Galveston. He once thought it was so funny that he chuckled to himself as I was making a ship-to-ship call saying afterwards, “No other mate has ever called a vessel to arrange a passing”. So with that, I said, “You make the call next time or be quiet!”. I felt humiliated and wouldn’t allow it by some Able Seaman, who couldn’t even spot a ship, especially by one without a license! Gosh, when will this trip end?!

Tags: HMS Brenton Reef