http://merchantmarineexpress.com Memoires of a Merchant Mariner Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:23:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en These past few days have been spent sitting in on Simulator Courses at the local Union Hall. http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2010/01/11/its-training-time/ I bid you all A Happy New Year with Happiness, Prosperity, Good Health and hope that you are able to stand up to any challenges that develop. http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2010/01/02/happy-new-year/ High Alto Cirrus clouds looming above with a hint of a chill at night only sets this day apart from being a perfect day, at sea. http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/12/06/its-a-swell-day/ The ship had a pleasant off load of its cargo while docked and within the Hawaiian Island chain. It seemed that what actions the Stevedores carried out, were enough to make for a quick turn around time. The weather among the islands made for steady work. A slight westerly breeze ... http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/12/03/cargo-in-paradise/ The ship is almost to its destination! The crew is anxious to get ashore and set their eyes on food, drink, entertainment, and whatever else pleases them. This next port will be primarily, however, for unloading purposes. http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/11/27/next-port-call/ As I stand the Watch amidst seas which do not cease- but continue to roll along, (albeit in a synchronous roll which would make the average human being succumb to sickness), it reminds me of how our lives should 'flow'. I am probably reliving the past as Frontiersmen or Adventurers such ... http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/11/25/being-thankful/ I was mesmerized by the Leonid Meteor shower the other night, on Thursday. Although, I missed its peak as I was informed of the display, a day late, I was pleasantly surprised at the frequency of such a show in the almost pitch black of a moonless sky. http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/11/22/meteor-showers-and-rainbows/ They never said this job at sea was any easy. This trip is going on three and a half months and the number of days with which the crew has been ashore- you can count on one hand, with fingers left over. http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/11/20/what-a-trip-so-far/ A ship travels to its destination as planned via a set of track lines meticulously connected by penciling in lines on charts and any subsequent notations recorded on an accompanying voyage plan. No matter day or night, the ship continues its lumbering or seemingly drunken-like waltz as it pushes ... http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/11/15/the-24-hour-journey/ The 'Tern has managed to make a port stop in Singapore and has since completed some much required servicing of vital equipment while in port. The ship was in need of some replacement pumps and new electric motors http://merchantmarineexpress.com/2009/11/11/a-freshened-ship-with-a-content-crew/