Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Crew Journal, Deck Department

Posted by POLAR SEA
October 6, 2009
Today was another fun day. After doing crane ops in the afternoon to bring the scientific dive party back on board, the deck force had a small snowball fight. There wasn’t much snow, and it was a dry snow so it didn’t compact well, but that didn’t stop the fun, or make it any warmer when it worked its way down your shirt.

The real excitement of the day was a pipe just before 6pm; “Fire, Fire, Fire.” Not having entered a training environment, and drills not supposed to happen until tomorrow, everyone’s adrenaline started racing as we very quickly manned up. We did a great job getting everyone ready, and shortly after it was piped everything was back under control and the order to stand down was given. Our practice and drills certainly paid off when a real GE, General Emergency, was piped.

Today was also “Bingo Bingo Bingo” night. The first prize to go out was snatched up quickly by SN Klineburger, the second by grad student Brenna. Several other prizes were handed out and even though not everyone could win it is always a fun time when Chief Roberts reads out the numbers. Everyone gets into the game, and half the fun is listening to the echoes of “corner” in a high pitched voice as shipmates get the corner to their row.

October 5, 2009
Today one of the deckies got a real treat, SN Meno went for a ride in the helo with the scientists! She got to fly out to where they had put a mother and cub temporarily to sleep and help them as they did their research. She came back with some wonderful close up pictures, and a sea story that very few will ever tell, that she got to touch a polar bear.

Other excitement was more dive and coring operations on the ice, and one of the scientists even made a snow angle. Also in the evening a polar bear was spotted off the port bow, one of the closest to the ship yet and easily viewable without binoculars.

SN Krantz became qualified in helm and lookout watch. SN Kern, and SN Froom are not to be left behind and are awaiting their boards to also become qualified.

October 4, 2009
Today was an exciting day for the new members to deck force fresh from mess cooking; SN Klineburger became qualified in helm and lookout watch. All the other members of deck force also sighed with relief as another qualified person means a better watch rotation for everyone.

In the evening a polar bear was spotted about 1 mile off the port quarter. Far off in the distance it was hard to see without binoculars. Instead several of the crew enjoyed looking at the intricate snow flakes that were lightly falling.
~SN Klineberger
at 3:11 PM

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