The Merchant Marine Express

We have finished another round of deliveries to Tampa and are enjoying a couple of days of transit to the load out facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Tampa seems to be a nuisance as we visit three docks in less than two days. Although the act of discharging cargo isn’t so bad, as we split the parcel of up to four types of cargo between docks, the hassles of shifting between docks and having to undock and then dock again, is what’s annoying.

Once cargo is complete, it usually takes two hours to warm up the engines, test bridge equipment, and await pilot and tugs. Going through the motions of loosening up mooring lines, making sure they’re ready for the next dock, and running the whole scenario in reverse order can get one tired, not only physically, but mentally. And even though the days seem to
fly by, during cargo, these are busy times for all onboard. All the deck officers seem happy to get underway for sea.

The first day, upon the ocean is a time to get a few hours of nap for those who are not on Watch. The captain usually makes time for afternoon naps or to catch up on sending messages to the office, port agents, and petroleum facilities. The mood is calm.

The returning Second Mate has settled in and seems to be a friendly older man. He’s quite knowledgeable as to the workings of this ship, and has been Chief Mate aboard the Chemical Explorer, a few years back.

I’ve started to clean my room, and intensely scrubbed the deck of the grime, built up over the past two months. The linoleum has aged over the years, but has stood up against the beating from rugged steel-toed shoes being tromped upon. Much of the clothes that I brought have been stowed into the duffle, yet I’ve set aside work and travel clothes for the next day.

We expect an evening Arrival into Lake Charles. Since our departure from Tampa was a morning event, our arrival is reversed from a usual noontime schedule to this. I shall be getting off once we’re ‘made fast’ along the dock.

The other third mate should be moving into my room once I leave and will assume the duties I’ve been tasked with as the relief third mate who is replacing my watch, will move into the hospital room and assume the medical officer duties. It’s always a curiosity on the part of a deck officer, especially a third mate of what duties will be assigned, once aboard. Any
‘new ship’ to any new mate is still a challenge to learn and become familiar. It takes a few weeks to become settled, really.

Well, enjoy your day!

Tags: Chemical Explorer