Stink Hammer Blog

Friday, October 07, 2005

Where is Miami?


So here we are ... day 5 at sea ... of what should have been a four day trip. Our progress has been hampered by tropical storm Tammy. For about 24 hours, the seas got so large and the wind so strong, we had to "heave to" - come off course and put the bow of the ship directly into the oncoming waves. This meant that for about 24 hours we were heading east towards Africa, not west towards Miami. The winds were blowing a steady 50 knots, and the seas were at 20 feet or more. And because this fine vessel is an ice breaker, it has been miserably uncomfortable. We are rolling regularly up to 35 degrees, and have made more than a few rolls that reached over 60 degrees. I was on the bridge last night when then happened. It is really something.

All the talk about the great food we have had on board ... not now ... the seas are too rough to be in the galley. In fact, I took a good slide all the way across the galley yesterday and slammed the side of my knee into the open dishwasher door. Ouch. The brand name of the dishwasher was imprinted on the side of my knee. But I am not the only one going down. The dozen or so staff and two contest winners onboard for the transit are down for the count. I have not seen several of them in days. I think they are just staying in their bunks asking themselves why on earth they came.

It is Friday morning, and we are now heading directly south towards the Bahamas, and will cut to the west when we get further south. I think we are probably about 100 miles or so offshore from northern Florida. The worst of the weather is now behind us, but the ship is still like being on a roller-coaster ride. The crew is currently trying to clean the galley and mess ... now I know why they call it the mess. The place is trashed, refrigerators spilling open in the night sending food and milk and god knows what careening across the room. The deep fat fryer in the galley has spilled its oil all over the place. After laughing about bringing all my cliff and granola bars onboard, I am now glad I did.

Well, that's all for now. Things are fine ... if a little less than comfortable. I am looking forward to arriving in Miami tomorrow, and getting back to my lovely wife and life. This has been a great experience, and I have new found respect for the people who do this everyday. Better them than me.

Stand by for more...

1 Comments:

At 10:44 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mornin Chris: We're planning on coming down tomorrow with Susie to see you, you ole salt. Sounds like the trip was exciting near the end....if you could give me an idea of where to go....we'll go to the port, but just a general idea of where to start, that would be great. See you tomorrow. m&m

 

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