Delay in sailing!
At Sea
Westward- south of the Dry Tourtugas, Florida keys
We left Port Everglades, after nearly twelve hours of delayed sailing. What was supposed to be a seemingly quick Discharge of cargo, followed by a quick Departure, ended up to be a waiting game.
This was due, because of an incident involving our ship, while docked, as a tug and barge leaving the adjacent berth side swiped our tug on the after most portion of the ship just as we were making preparations to get underway!
I was on Watch and was helping with disconnecting cargo hoses as we just completed cargo operations, when I felt a bump that was more than any wind or wave could produce. I looked at the Able Seaman, Ted, and with a confused look, we both asked the other, “..what in the hell was that?” Within seconds, the Second Mate, who was performing a gear test, witnessed the contact and notified the Captain and got some information of the tug and barge that snubbed us! I could listen in on the portable two-way radios we carry of the conversations between the Second Mate and the Captain.
After a short while, Coast Guard was notified, divers were surveying our hull and noting the slight indentation that the barge caused. Yet, due to the nature of the incident, we would have to wait to be cleared to sail and this took most of the day. Welders ended up making some repairs to the Portside Steering gear room and soon, we were cleared to get underway, nearly twelve hours after the mishap. All the crew was relieved of the situation, yet, if the barge had been eighteen inches further away, the contact would not have happened.
As it stands, we are enjoying a pleasant day at sea, with a slight breeze from the East and three foot seas. I finished my Watch, this morning, and then proceeded to grease some of the cables around the lifeboats that were apparently needing attention!
Have a great day, folks!
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