I did not sleep well last night. I was tired and misread the schedule as we camped one more night at Maro Reef. Woke up this morning and made a call to the other half to see if she slept in. We talked on the phone until wee hours of the morning her time last night. She answered this morning and could tell that she was half-awake. While talking to her I was thinking that a hearty breakfast consisting of eggs, potatoes, pineapples, cup of New Zealand’s Bell Tea or Seattle style coffee would be in order if I were home.
After we finished talking, wrote my plan of the day and headed to the galley for breakfast. I peeked out of the portal of the aft 02 door and it did not look good. Rain clouds everywhere and radio transmission from the deck crew indicated lightening in the area. It looked like the type of day where in primary school, recess and PE activities canceled, and we remained indoors for art time.
For two groups of scientists, their activity continued and not subject to cancelation. They did their complete schedule and returned around 15:00 to prepare for transit to Lisianski. It was windy and rained nearly the entire day. It finally let up around 17:00 but the winds kept coming. As we transit tonight, you can feel the ship rocking and a rolling. I certainly would not wander around the weather decks unless I have a beacon and a radio for safety’s sake.
Today was not like any other. The weather changed and you could see the squalls marching towards the ship. First comes the winds and pushes the squall as the large thick rainddrops pound the ocean surface. Whitecaps accompanying the squalls let you know they are on their way! However, this is very mild compared to sailing in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest from November through March. I made a few trips on ships heading to the yards in Washington or Oregon in October and November. The rolling gets old after five days. Years ago, I rode the Hi’ialakai from Honolulu to Portland and it was a relief to get inside the Columbia River bar. The cruise down the Columbia to Portland was picturesque and such a relief to be able to stand while viewing Washington on the port side and Oregon on starboard. Of course, getting home was the top agenda after five continuous months at sea but not completed until a few more hours after we docked in Portland.
I sailed up the Columbia again last year on my old ship the Ka’imimoana from Portland to go to Samoa via Hawaii. My wife was still in Apia at the time so I made the trip in early 2008. Speaking of the KA, I made quite a few trade wind cruises from Manzanillo, Mexico to Hawaii when we finished the Eastern Pacific buoy runs. The frequency of the rolling of the ship was constant and you can count the rolls in five-second intervals. When the ship rolled Starboard, count to five and sway your body in the opposite direction. You will be on the port side doing the same going opposite back to starboard. It was exactly five seconds each side. If you were not used to it, it could make you seasick like the greenhorns who made the cruise with us. The trip usually took twelve days and when we saw Kilauea on the Big Island, we knew we would be home the next day. Usually we would have a steel beach picnic while rounding south point.
It must have been a lackluster day if I am telling stories of past cruises. I guess the weather and the rolling tonight brought back memories of cruises that were rougher than this. Of course, my counterparts sailing in Alaska would probably laugh and have a few choice words for me, especially the Bering Sea crew.
Sailing under these conditions reminds me of my ex-father-in-law who sailed in the Navy and Coast Guard. The man loved the sea and told me so long ago. I have not seen or heard from him in nearly fifteen years with the exception of a couple of generic Facebook contacts, hey R, hope you read this and this one is for you!
I bid you goodnight in transit from Maro Reef to Lisianski Islands.
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