The Merchant Marine Express

The ship has been at anchor for over ten days now with no orders of cargo! Our fresh water supply has dwindled as well as valuable provisions such as milk and fresh vegetables. It has been rumored of a barge full of drinking water which may arrive in the coming days.

This is a relief as water, on board, cannot be produced without the main engines turning. And ironically, the only fluids being saved are the quantities of heavy fuel oil that sit in their respective holding tanks intended for the powerful medium speed diesels.

With no chances of getting ashore since we’re off the coast by over ten miles and with no luxuries such as a scheduled launch-boat service, the crew is getting a bit stir crazy. Each and every day, crewmembers have been asking me, as well as other deck officers the one question on their mind, “Any news of any cargo?”.

The captain has reportedly been in contact with the office, located in Florida, and the establishment of an agreed Time Charter doesn’t kick into gear until late May. Until that time, maintenance work continues as I’ve been working on greasing emergency escape hatches, inventorying emergency gear lockers and rearranging their contents; the many duties on my long list of fire and safety items required as upkeep on a month by month basis. The deck gang’s latest accomplishment of chipping the main deck of rust and making patch repairs are paving the way for a refreshed paint job of the deck by middle of the coming week.

Working the eight hours of standing a watch, solely, on the Bridge, per day, I feel relieved to be able to work alongside anyone for that matter out on deck during the afternoons. And the weather seemingly cooperating with the ship’s outdoor work schedule except with a recent early morning storm that blew through, on the 26th of April, I am noticing a bronze tan developing on my arms from the bright Texas sun! Temperatures have risen into the low eighties by what the outside thermometer reads but a constant breeze in the afternoons has made it pleasant to work out on deck. I cannot complain, though, as I’ve learned that some regions in the United States have recently received snow or hail amidst some very turbulent weather.

If this is any test to the crew onboard, I believe we’re handling it the best we can with what we have. Isn’t this what life is all about?

Have a great day!

Tags: Chemical Explorer