On the Move!
Sorry if I haven’t been updating with events, however, we’ve been busy with loading gasoline and jet fuel in Lake Charles, Louisiana these past few days.
Within an hour of my last post, the captain got short notice of a load in Lake Charles for gasoline and jet fuel, destined for Port Everglades, FL.
Did I write too soon?
Well, the short jaunt of some seven hours of transit was all that was required from Galveston, eastward. We would anchor out for the night but not before a tremendous and violent thunderstorm rumbled through. At anchor, we were alone among the oil refineries dotting the horizon, yet, I felt equally alone standing the Watch on the Bridge as I felt helpless with all the lightning striking within feet of our vessel. I just hate lightning storms!
However, the next morning, we had a Pilot arranged to take us into port, some five hours of river transit. I stood by the throttles for the whole four hours during my Watch and took note during each engine movement in what is referred as a ‘Bell Book’. Consider it a record of timed events as each ‘bell’ or engine order is conveyed by the pilot and various landmarks
such as buoys or other notable features are kept.
After my Watch was over and Third Mate Travis took over with the above mentioned duties, I was called to supervise the line handling during the mooring operations of the ship, as it approached the dock. The mates, including myself, alternate the complex duty of overseeing the mooring operations with a bit patience and know-how as the able seamen pull and tug
at the mooring lines. Although the AB’s do the manual labor, it’s up to the deck officer to see to it that the job is done correctly, and safely.
It took better of an hour to make the ship, fast, to the dock and relief set in as our duties changed from ‘underway’ status to ‘in port’.
Loading went smoothly, for the most part. It wasn’t until the latter part of the cargo operations on the second day where the problem existed of de-ballasting the salt water from the ship. Apparently, with the addition of cargo and the remaining ballast aboard, our ship would sit too deep for the channel to safely depart once cargo was complete. The Chief Mate ceased cargo operations immediately, and for a seemingly endless night, our Chief Mate was busy trying to rid of all excess water, aboard. He would not only work throughout the night, without any rest, but it would be uncertain how long for cargo to resume and for us to depart for sea.
Finally, at around two o’clock the next afternoon, we were all finished with loading the cargo and received approval from authorities to set sail. Third Mate Travis had the duties of standing by the throttles for the long five hour voyage out to the sea buoy where the experienced captain would eventually jump off onto the pilot boat. This was Travis’ second or third time at standing the watch while a Pilot conned the vessel and I bet there was a mixture of excitement and apprehension as both the captain and pilo were present on the Bridge.
Most of the crew attempted to make their final calls to loved ones as the cell phone connections would soon cease due to the limited range out at sea. I happened to reach my father at home and sent my wife, Michelle, a quick text message- saying ‘ so long’ and that I love her.
Enjoy your day!
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.