The Merchant Marine Express

The ship has been enduring some odd influx of stormy weather within the past couple of days including an impressive light show demonstrated by dancing bolts of lightning with accompanying claps of thunder.

This encounter commenced with many miles still separating the ship and land, while still at sea. The winds had increased, and the air was thick with humidity and thick haze reduced visibility to near zero at times. I remember witnessing the colorful bolts touching off within a mile of the ship, both to port and to starboard with decreasing range, measured in nautical miles. Within a half hour, a quick flash of a bolt reached us with only a ship’s beam width of a hundred feet off our portside causing the normally fearless captain some anxiety, at this point. That was close enough, yet no other bolts came as close as that one. The luminescence was almost blinding, and a sharp crack followed in quick succession. For the next twelve hours, this dancing spectacle of blue and white flashes of light kept the officer of the watch and his lookout mesmerized.

In some ways, the light now flooded the waters, if only for a second or two, like flares revealing the enemies position similar to military tactics. The silhouettes of distant ships were now visible during this moment.

I was reassured by the captain that this hair raising moment, of close lightning would still prove safe for the ship as its electrical current would be directed towards the water, if the inevitable happened and the ship were struck by a lightning bolt. But I would never want to welcome this challenge. Let’s just imagine it in theory!

Currently, (ha!) The ship is receiving bunkers of light diesel as well as heavy fuel-oil for its generators and main engines, respectively. The dedicated anchorage is five miles north from our intended cargo dock with only the prominence of a casino building and distant refineries among the expansive bayou.

We are expected to shift from this anchorage and head towards the Citgo refinery by mid morning as this load out will most likely be my last before I head home on vacation.

I’ve been told that a Relief is waiting to fill my position, in Tampa. The ship goes off contract with Citgo on May 1st and its fate lies with those higher ups within the echelon of the shipping company; Crowley as to what happens next. Her now nonconforming and aging single hull, but double-bottomed design makes her a suitable candidate for being laid up, indefinitely as she will be replaced by newer double hulled ships or the latest Integrated Tug and Barge or ITB. Along with the rest of the officers and crew on board, the memories of this fine product tanker will forever stay in my thoughts.

Tags: Chemical Explorer