The Merchant Marine Express

I’m writing to you on our last full day at sea. I’ve managed to complete 98 percent of my list of ” Third Mate to-do’s” as a Coast Guard Inspection will take place shortly after Arriving. These past few days have been hectic. Among other things, the Chief Cook has decided she had enough of the hustle and bustle and has decided to quit. It’s another chapter in the Tale of the ‘ Tern!

And by the time you read this we’ll have arrived early morning of the Sixteenth after picking up the Delaware River Pilot all while making the long eight hour transit up towards the dock at Gloucester City, New Jersey. Our Intended dock across the river into Philadelphia won’t be available for a few days, FYI.

The cooler breeze was noticeable these past couple of nights and a nice departure from the hot and stagnant yet slightly humid air we’ve grown accustomed, these past few weeks. The crew has become increasingly anxious as the visions of being able to cross the gangway and onto a real cement apron along a wharf is now plausible. The chatter of Coast Guard “Sector Groups” were being picked up by the VHF radio even early into the Fifteenth.

A Warship “Seven-nine” was heard echoing its location as she was practicing gunnery exercises off the coast. An American vessel with American crew! Forget the fact that it would be asking for any vessels to keep away from her immediate vicinity, but that we were nearing US soil- that was exciting!

Port Watches are set and our work hours go from a four hour period to between eight and eleven hours, depending on whom you ask. Deck Officers are on the eleven hour cycle, mine being from one o’clock in the afternoon until midnight. This will work in conjunction with the intended load-out for cargo later during our stay. But in the meantime, most of us are just thankful this port stay has arrived.

A few members of the crew will be leaving for home. They’ve done their “one-twenty” or four months and seem obliged now and allow a relief person arrive ready to work, fresh from the union hall. A Billet, if you will…or another place for a name on a line within a ship’s manifest of crew or “crew list” is what all mariners seek as evidence of employment on any vessel. A chance for a lonely mariner in making a load of cash, but putting in long, boring, hours, with some days of sweat. This chance will be no different for some.

The off-going crew will have family, friends, or that special homeward destination gleaming in their eyes as they head off in different directions, some by plane, others by train or automobile. With a wad of cash, they will
be stuffed full of stories to tell the rest of the world, what all they’ve seen while out at sea. They, of all individuals, will be the ones a young child, for example, might want to cuddle up and listen intently as their new
friend speaks of the lore from which only a few back home, have traveled.

This might be the dreams that these aforementioned children I speak of, might someday want to live out and experience for themselves.

Have a great day!

Tags: MV American Tern