Out of Africa
We are en route for the States! This lumbering ride almost as a bird coasting and quickly dipping at times, is soothing mostly. The seas attempt to torment much as a sibling may tease by pushing or pulling trying to get a reaction. This bird stays its course!
A tropical disturbance looms from behind us now, you see. He’s built up somewhat but not to freakish standards..yet. Winds may pick up, however, as the shadowing storm will follow in relatively the same direction, yet, the ship will be out of its intended track. Expect roughly fifty-mile-per-hour winds. Our alertness still elevated.
The galley had another casualty..half the overhead lights went on the fritz the other morning. It wasn’t entirely a candle-lit moment, but annoying for the morning prep, to say the least. The engineering department was on the task, but not before making a disaster out of nothing. The First Engineer tried desperately to remove the glass lens just above the vicinity of where the lunch time desert was placed. However, upon removing the lens, and the attached fluorescent bulb, the lighting fixture burst and shrapnel of glass and dirt fell onto the vanilla frosted spice cake below! A complete mess!
The Steward was called by the cook during his rest period with only the words, “Engineering threw away the cake!” He was incensed! Another ding in the eyes of this trying galley department.
Injuries whether it be large or small have been a common occurrence by most crewmembers, and at some point will eventually happen during the trip. Each one of us has had something which needs attention, medically. The Second Mate is the designated officer, and each time some scrape, sprain, or injury such as a cut occurs, the crewmember is directed to visit the Second Mate. Well, during this trip, it’s been a revolving ,door. Not so much are they major injuries, but the tediousness behind all the treatments, follow through (plural) and detailed write-ups are what’s making the Second Mate running around like the proverbial chicken-with-his-head-cut-off, routine.
We’re expecting a load-out after a coast guard inspection, while in the Continental United States. It’s uncertain how much cargo, but what I do know is that the destination will more than likely keep us away from the United States for a very long time. As per the contract, I’m not at liberty to say where we will end up, but once we’re there, I’ll be able to clue you in more.
Thirty days, plus! This being underway time and only a twenty-four hour span between two ports, in between.The crew is a bit weary but freshened by what
lies ahead in the future.
Have a great day, folks!
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