Bedlam and Boiler Suits

This morning I reported to the ship at 0800 for safety drills. Safety drills, of course a priority on any ship, is a curious intermingling of procedure, bedlam, and a healthy dose of ordered anarchy.

Upon arrival, no one knew exactly what to do with me. I suppose because I am a one-man department it provides a unique situation. In any event, after checking in I found that I had been assigned to the good life raft #8 (I do not believe this particular life raft has a name). This raft is an open craft that will no doubt afford commodious accommodations if in the event we used it.

The procedure is when you hear the alarm go off, you grab your life vest and head for the station. Of course, you are also required to wear a long-sleeved shirt or jacket with a "cover" (hat), plus carry a knife (no doubt to fend off sharks) and flashlight.

Upon arrival at your appropriate station, you stand and wait while they do roll calll. I chose to try to be as covert as possible and waited at the rear. I fiddled with my knife in my pocket, daring any mako that would dare cross with a librarian. None was forthcoming. Rather, I stood behind all these cadets who wore either navy blue or tan boiler suits which gave them a rather sinister look somewhat akin to the various minions in old James Bond movies.

Meanwhile, the list of names rolled out and they didn't have mine on it! How could they not have mine on it? Don't they know I'm the librarian? I pushed my way to the front (well I said excuse me of course), but not before bumping into a tar-laden cable which smeared my khakis (the warning to watch out for the cable came a bit late). Ah, only true bibliographic mariners get tar on them at sea! Now at the front I explained to them who I was and the student in charge quickly dashed down my name with my 'rate' as 'librarian.' I then spoke separately to him to verify that I had all my safety procedures correct -- life vest, lid... oh in case of an 'intrusion alert' I go lock myself in my cabin. Of course after getting all this information I felt very comforted that I was now officially designated into lifeboat #8 and in case of pirates I should go hide in my cabin.

Speaking of which, I also had the opportunity to visit my cabin. It is a bit like a dorm room with furniture that is at least as old as myself. All of this was securely bolted to the floor including two beds with ultra thin mattresses that are hopefully (but not likely) made of space-age material (note: obtain foam cover for matress). Anyway, at least hammocks are no longer in vogue. The showers look (as described by my sardonic, yet lovable workmate) like a tin can. I'll get pictures of the shower up soon.

My roommate is to be a scientist from NOAA, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. From what I have heard, my roommate takes temperature and water samples from all around the globe. He will be staying on the ship until we get to Athens. I suppose we will have very interesting discussions about the weather, but really do you think he would want to talk about the weather in his spare time?

Anyway, after my immersion into merchant mariner procedures, I hastened back to Fort Schuyler, ditched my now grease-stained khakis while savoring the solid ground for as long as I could (must remember to buy Dramamine -- is it bad luck to anticipate sea sickness?). About 30 minutes after my return, we were beset by a swarm of cadets who had been sent in the big blue truck to fetch all of our boxes (around 50 or so).

Heading back, the librarians and the staff braved the chaos on board as crate after crate of boxes concerning sea disasters were shuttled down to the library by eagerly sweating cadets. With this mass of neophyte, skylarking MUGs (mariners under guidance) at our call, my director proceeded to organize the troops and set them to work. Shelves were assembled and floors swabbed.

The heat grew -- it was probably around 90 degrees (note: remember fan). I found out that the reason why; the library is above the fuel tanks and that for the first week or so it gets very hot because right under the floor there is solidified crude oil.

It was important that everything be reassembled correctly since this is a library that rocks and rolls. We have to use bungee cords to secure our books here.

Amazingly, despite the bedlam, by the end of the day, most of the library was assembled.

On tomorrow's agenda: Coast Guard Inspection at 0800 followed by more preparation work!

Fair wind and following seas!