The day started early as the alarm rang at 05:00. Today is departure day and these days are usually long. Now it is down to business, set aside personal goals and analysis, and do what I am paid to do. I went to the Hi’ialakai to see what I will be in for when I report in February. Unfortunately, my colleague is ill and will not be able to sail for some time. He was to come to Hawaii the same day as me and finish winter in port maintenance. I am wishing for his quick recovery so he can come back. Mr.”S” is taking his place as I have worked with him in the past and until last year, together on different ships in Hawaii.
Being on the Ka’imimoana is déjà vu to earlier times of this decade. What is this decade called? The zeroes? Or the Millennium? Anyway, when talking to “N” there are only three original members remaining since I first reported here in early 2003. I sat with the chief engineer Mr. "R," one of the remaining crewmembers from 2003, during dinner. We had a jovial discussion about the absurdity of the Newport move. It was like the old days. I have not been gone that long. I sailed here two years ago from Portland to Apia via Hawaii. This time though, it will be strange not to have "L" greet me at the wharf.
We departed from Ford Island and went to the Pearl Harbor fuel pier to load up diesel before heading out. During the time there were annoying problems cropping up, including a heading indicator that lost power after being on for some time. I will try to find a steady source for power and re-run a cable to it. I am getting too old and cantankerous to do any analysis and much like electricity itself, follow the path of least resistance. I did the usual rounds of checks and inspections and did not quite remember how to dim the display on the Inmarsat-C satellite transceiver. I know their characteristics but when it comes to operating details, well, I learn from the folks who are with it everyday, thanks Miss “R.”. Today was a ten-hour day. I am exhausted and sleep well tonight. I will not be getting up at 05:00 either!
We finished fueling around 4PM and sailed through the channel to head out to open sea. I cannot count how many times I have done this since 2002 when I first did it on the Townsend Cromwell taking her on her final voyage to American Samoa. We go through the channels at Pearl Harbor and off to the distance is Diamond Head. I have done it so many times that it is routine. As evening takes over, you can see the lights of Honolulu off the fantail in the distance. This is where you bring your mobile phone out to the weather deck for that final goodbye before the open seas. I called my kids and “L” to say goodbye again as in this profession it is in phases.
The ship is still the same in some ways but in one negative connotation. Unlike the Hi’ialakai, the crew here has never been very social with each other. People change but the behavior is the same. I had thought that having an actual satellite television receiver contributed to the non-social atmosphere then. Nevertheless, that system has been removed nearly three years and still the same. There were attempts to create social events and games played in the galley after hours with limited success. I just returned from the galley on the main deck and it was haunting. Not a single person in the passageway or a stateroom door open with music, television or video games and people engaging in conversation. On the Hi’ialakai the main deck as well as the science lab is very lively. For example, scientists would hold ping-pong tournaments or people on the main deck would be listening to music, playing video games and in pleasant conversation. Doors are open and walk in to talk with Doc or anyone residing on the main deck. Oh well, I will see that next month.
I will post this, brush my teeth, hit the rack, and read a chapter or two about Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief during the Civil War. I love history and reading about strong leadership and strategy planners. He did not want to hear what you cannot do but what you can do. If only today’s politician was firm like that. You cannot blame polarization for today’s negativity, as President Lincoln had an actual Civil War on his hands. I also find it hard to fathom that he was a Republican. In reading that book so far, it seems the behavior of each political party is reversed today. I will save my political insights (I like politics too!) for another blog fit to that format.
I bid you good night and aloha from South of Oahu, heading to the open seas to our first station at 8 North and 155 West. We should be there Saturday.
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