The Merchant Marine Express

At Sea
Off South Florida- Alligator Reef Lt. Bearing 266 degrees
(Written on May 28th)
I’ve been quite busy, so pardon the delay in writing!

Throughout this past week, we’ve been busy taking a load of cargo consisting of Diesel and Jet Fuel, and Gasoline from Lake Charles, Louisiana and just finished delivering most of the Diesel at a receiving facility in Port Everglades, Fl. Our Charter with Citgo is in effect. A total of two hundred- fifty thousand barrels of product, which equates to ten millions gallons, was slowly loaded aboard. The Citgo refinery in Louisiana had some delays which kept us from loading at a faster rate than what we intended. It took over thirty-six hours to do a job typically taking twenty-four hours, normally. Nontheless, we’ll most likely be running trips between Lake Charles and ports in Florida. Tampa is where we’re headed, currently after a quick day of delivering the aforementioned jet fuel. The weather delivered some short bursts of showers to dampen things, but only slightly- nothing too deterring! We also received a fresh quantity of dairy goods and fruits and vegetables. It looks like the Satellite issue has been resolved as technicians took the Satellite dome to refurbish and have ready for next port. However, with that being said, we are receiving good satellite television coverage! I am truly confused at how this feat can be accomplished without such a contraption.
At any rate,It will be more than likely, mid morning of June 1st, before we take a pilot into Tampa. The run into port shall take another two to three hours of pilotage before having to moor along the dock.
The story goes…a sister ship, the Chemical Trader, had a generator fire aboard, a couple of weeks ago! The generators which provided power to its cargo pumps caught fire due to a fuel leak, while the ship was in Tampa, as it was delivering its precious cargo of gasoline and diesel. The Third mate, who was on watch at the time, received second degree burns as a result of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, but it was reported he would make a full recovery. Yet, as a result, our ship was called to deliver the cargo that the ‘Trader’ wasn’t successful in accomplishing while in port, as well, our destination of Tampa was added to the original intended port of Port Everglades, Florida.
I’m due off on the 1st of June, just as a note! My relief, who is a returning Third Mate and has great knowledge of this particular vessel, has a confirmed flight into Tampa on Sunday. As Sunday marks the same day as my birthday, my gift is to return home and enjoy the majority of the Summer on land.
If I do not write before I sign off, I want to give a “big thanks” to everyone who has followed my voyage aboard the CHEMICAL EXPLORER. I also am also tickled that Third Mate Travis’ folks could use this same forum to follow the journey of THEIR son and be kept up-to-date on actions of the ship. I’m glad I could be there for you!
Have a great weekend folks! And if you care to leave a message for me, you can contact me using the tab on the website and I’ll be able to respond in a couple of days.
Best! –Nate the Mate

Tags: Chemical Explorer