The Merchant Marine Express

This ship had, in general, been running fuel oils on the West coast of the United States for some time before the start of the year,2008. I keep hearing stories from crewmembers of how they’ve enjoyed the Seattle-to-Richmond run over the course of many years prior. Yet, with only a couple days transit between ports and nearly twenty-four hours of cargo operations before, followed by another reciprocal trip, back-and-forth, much of the light maintenance was seemingly neglected such as the much needed rust repair and general maintenance.

However, during these past three weeks, while resting at anchor, the deck gang has been able to scale cancerous spots of rust away, and smooth out rough patchwork on decks with a fresh coat of ‘anti-skid’; a mixture of sand blended into the paint to act as an abrasive to keep from slipping on the steel deck, as can happen from time to time. A dark, brownish red coat has been applied to most of the portside of the entire main deck, with the possibility of the starboard side to be completed by start of next week. You can really see the difference from the vantage point atop the Bridge, some fifty feet above the deck.

One has had to be cautious of walking out on deck, as various spots of primer and first coat application of paint dotting the deck resembling some badly repaired body work such as you’d find on an automobile in the refurbished stage after having an accident. I would, at times, start skipping and hopping between these blotches of paint, only to catch a spot on the edge of my heels and have the Bosun find out later that I was the one that made some of the tracks. I’m grateful the Bosun seems to think “I’m alright” as he only makes a short grunt with a fist in the air, waving. At least I think.

Anyway, this time to have at our leisure for such work is a rare opportunity. But once we get our orders for cargo, maintenance will again have to wait for moments underway or during anchored periods.

I’ve been taking the time to continue to inventory my Emergency Gear Lockers among other things. Much of the equipment this ship is required to carry is for the protection against fire or other damage which might possibly occur as a result of just being a ship with dozens of electrical equipment running. I saw to it, that all the Firefighting turnout gear, the suits that crewmembers are required to wear in order to fight a fire and the same outfits you see firemen wear, were in good condition and fit their corresponding crewmembers. In addition, I would inspect the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus harnesses including Compressed air bottles were fully charged and ready for service.

But as each day is different with respect to work projects, the weather may surprise you with its unpredictable force. For instance, this week, we’ve had strong winds bringing an unstable air mass as a visible cold front was scene in the form of clouds boiling in an apparent updraft of sudden winds. What was a calm, yet cloudy day just minutes before, all of a sudden winds picked up to over twenty-eight knots and a dark wall of clouds raced over our group of anchored ships in the bay. You could feel the chill from the temperature drop as the mercury dropped some eight degrees from what it was and reminiscent of something out of a horror flick.

As long as I keep focus from day to day, and not dwell on what could have been (regarding the ship’s cargo potential) my day will arrive when suddenly I’ll be taking a plane ride back home and I’ll look back at this time and say, “..It wasn’t all that bad, really”.

And as the depths below the ship blur the unknown for most anyone peering into its vastness, so too does this uncertain time in our country when most of us really can’t foresee what change lie ahead. But allow the work (for progress) to go on. I am!

Have a great day!

Tags: Chemical Explorer