The Merchant Marine Express

0720 Called from the Bridge for a ‘Seven-twenty wake up’ via telephone next
to my bed.

0730 Eat Breakfast before heading to watch by 0750

0750 Show up on the Bridge- three decks above officer’s deck to relieve Chief Mate of the Watch. Identify anything new which may have happened on his Watch, or anything which may come up during my next four hours. Any vessel traffic to contend with? Any future Course changes within the next four hours?

0800 Record my position and copy it on a position sheet and plot out my four hours of dead reckoning on the chart. Grab a steaming cup of coffee with a lump of powdered cream and a scoop of sugar- Five robust scoops of coffee grounds go into each pot. We’re not shy here! I record in the Deck Log, ” 3rd Mate Assumes the Watch…”

Depending on when Universal Time or ‘Zulu’ occurs, the Captain wants a Position Report so he can relay to the office of our whereabouts. I copy down the position with the miles remaining- as per our GPS calculations.

Speak a bit to the Able Seaman, and confer when it’s a good time for him to sweep the deck of the Bridge, and mop.

Once during each Watch, I send out a Synoptic Weather Report, using codes in four-to-five number groups in a message formulated on the computer. This is sent via Satellite and indicates our position, and what basic weather is being observed. This may include sea waves and direction of the swell. Basically, the Weather Service wants to know barometric pressure, temperature, and wind direction and speed.

Our ship maintains course via an autopilot of a set course based on compass direction. This computerized system doesn’t correct for current or winds, which may affect our true course, therefore a periodic check using chart plotting tells if we’re off our trackline. Adjust as necessary.

1145 I would have recorded the present gyro course and what the magnetic compass is reading. This can be found from a periscope in the ceiling or ‘overhead’ of the Bridge repeating what the Binnacle is reading from the Fly Bridge, atop this command center.

I wait patiently for the Second Mate to show up and have in my mind, what all information I need to present him with so he can assume the Watch, and take over from here. In My deck log is written, ‘Relieved by Second Mate..”

My four hours is complete, and I start the process all over again, just eight hours later.

Most of each day, on the open seas, we stand and watch the seas trail past. Hardly a ship ventures closer to thirty miles. I ponder of items requiring attention during my allotted three hours of overtime during each afternoon for preventative maintenance requirements. I start the evening Watch at eight o’ clock in the evening or 2000-ship time and the remaining four hours of my eight-hour work day is completed at midnight. I’m ready for a near seven hours of rest before starting all over again, the next morning.

Have a great day folks!

Tags: MV American Tern