Aweigh We Go
7/5
0530- No ship movement yet, went to get one last look at the dock and saw something I didn’t know they did, using a truck to release tension on the lines. A final view of the Port of Oakland from D Deck.
0530- No ship movement yet, went to get one last look at the dock and saw something I didn’t know they did, using a truck to release tension on the lines. A final view of the Port of Oakland from D Deck.
An 1100LF vessel makes a U-turn in a narrow inlet and small cove. Amazing!
The last two pictures are of the cove after the turn was completed. I certainly have a new found admiration for tug boat crews!.
12:30 – I had just sat down with the other passengers and one of the officers, Mint, told me I was sitting in his chair. “I am second mechanic and must be able to hurry out in emergency.” Even after I got up he kept repeating over and over: “My chair, I am second mechanic, I’m sorry”. Finally I said, “I understand, you’re a man, I’ve met you specie before”.
7/6
0700 - When I arrive in the officer’s mess the large table that had been closed off before was set for the officers and the disputed chair had breakfast accoutrements on the accompanying place-mat rather than a place setting. Guess that settles the issue.
“Spanish tortilla” turned out to be a potato omelet, rather good actually.
The Chinese program I am working with records my voice so I can compare it to the voice in the system – not very reassuring. That pretty much seems to be the extent of my activities for the next couple of weeks.
At dinner tonight I realized that one of my fellow passengers is very good at firing off barbs, great, I thought, I have a foil. Well it turns out he was rather thin skinned when it came to taking return fire.
7/9
1315 – It seems I was wrong about the other two passengers being gentlemen. They have no problem expressing their racial and political bigotry (only in the occasional comment rather than as a diatribe) and while I have stifled myself rather than start an argument, my facial expressions must have told the story because they have become rude and, at times, truly obnoxious.
7/11
1030 – the chief engineer took all three passengers on a tour of the engine “room” which is actually an area approximately 70LF high and most of the length of the ship. The enormity of the place is mind boggling. I could not help but wonder not only about the minds of the people who developed the functional construction of such a place, but also with the mind of the chief engineer who must keep it running. Absolutely amazing. As we walked through this area I couldn't help but notice that it was as clean as the rest of the ship and every tool in all the work stations was in its place. In spite of the high decibel level, my hearing problems and ear plugs Mr. Thin Skinned felt the need to talk to me for about 3 minutes even though I kept signaling to him that I couldn't hear him. You really have to wonder about some people.
The engine control room.
Engine room slide show:
Unfortunately, I have forgotten most of what I was able to hear concerning the functioning of the various pieces of equipment in the intervening two and a half months. However, looking at these pictures again reminds me of the stunning size and complexity of the place.