The Merchant Marine Express

Just a short note from Sea.
I do not have regular email on board but can access the Internet thru the 2nd Mate’s personal Internet Access.

It’s nice to have friends who have the technological knowledge and know how and are able to lend a helping hand.
So here’s the latest….
I have been working aboard the SEABULK POWER, a 660 foot Product Tanker for three weeks now. And I hope to be on here for another month or so.
We are operating between Lake Charles, Louisiana and Port Everglades, Florida-sending gasoline and jet fuel to Florida.
I have learned so much, so far and the Officers and un-licensed crew has been quite helpful with assistng me in my duties.
I am still not an Ace with respect to oil tankers, so this trip adds to my knowledge in becoming a full-fledged Tanker ‘Mate’.
With this trip on my belt, I will have the qualifications and stamp to become such a mate.
This tanker is nearly forty-years old and reminds one of an old classic Buick. I say, Buick because it lacks some of the ammenities that a modern day ship would include and as an older classic Cadillac would still have as options.
Everything on this ship is manually-operated. No modern electronics to turn valves on cargo tanks such as the newer tankers- so I have to walk out on deck and with force, crank the huge rusty-old valve wheels ‘opened’ or closed’ about twenty-five turns or so.
Gasoline is the product of choice on here, and taking Regular Unleaded gas from L.A. to FL. is what we’re doing here.
With the huge 280,000 barrel capacity, we only require 24 hours of cargo operations to fill up!
It’s been a learning experience as I’ve noted, yet a pleasant one with fellow Officers helping out, in anyway they can.
It’s been quite a change weather-wise from the cold, bleak winter of Michigan to a dismal 60 degrees in Florida. I know my family has no sympathy for me back in Michigan, but I do know there is still winter waiting for me (to enjoy- I’m optimistic, of course).
Best of Luck to you all and I hope to send another Update in a few days when we arrive into Lake Charles.
Have a great day!
-Nadir

Tags: S.S. Seabulk Power