The Merchant Marine Express

Well Folks, In approximately eight days, I shall be heading home!

My seventy-five days of working is quickly coming to an end. The ship has established a continual loading and discharge schedule between the Gulf of Mexico and shall endure this schedule throughout most of next year. Each week, the crew is either loading or discharging cargo or transiting the Gulf between ports. It has been a busy four weeks and with demands requiring all hours of the day for readiness, the crew has become tired.

You would think that seventy-five days seems a short duration to work, with equal time resting, ashore. But grueling days become weeks that turn to months and a break is needed for each and every mariner that works the waters. It also gives another group of anxious mariners the opportunity to earn their keep and provide for their families.

With rest, brings regeneration of energy to each of us. And family life is brought back into our conscience. It really never leaves, though. We each daydream of what our loved ones could be doing, back at home, or what our intentions may be during our next chance, ashore. Home,is home, and although a ship is our second home, it never replaces what is truly comfortable; the relaxation of home and family or friends, back ‘on the beach’.

I’ve completed more than half of my Relief Notes, which are essentially notes to pass along to the next Third Mate about what has been accomplished during my trip, and what items need to be addressed, in the near future. As well, if a Mate is new to the ship, it describes what the fundamentals of key components aboard, such as: bridge electronics, cargo machinery, what to expect with crewmembers, and an overall summary of the ship; a “Changing of the Guard”, if you will.

I shall include a closing entry in the next few days, and will note anything out of the ordinary, if anything new arises. The Second Mate, Chief Mate, and a few Engineer officers are being relieved in the next few days, also A feeling of ‘Channel Fever” is in the air. Until next time,

Enjoy your day!

Tags: Chemical Explorer