19MAY2018

Location: Gulf of Mexico south of Galveston, TX en route to/arriving at Corpus Christi, TX;

Events: The 1st watch began with assisting the chief engineer by going below the deck plating in the engine room and removing a void space cover. The rest was spent helping the tankermen pull two wire lines off wenches, beating rust off those winches, priming them and attaching new wire lines. With the captain’s permission, we bound the old wire lines and tossed them overboard into the Gulf. During the 2^nd watch I assisted the chief engineer in dewatering a void space on the boat then the tankermen and I set the anchor when we arrived at Corpus Christi.

Things learned about vessel/barge: This boat spends very little time inland or at the docks, typically only 7-10 hours, 90% of the time she is underway transiting to or from Tampa, FL.

Classroom information application(s): DeckGen line handling, confined space entry.

Supplemental Information: East of the Mississippi river the seas were very calm and smooth, West of it though the swells have been far greater making for a rolling ride the 2^nd half of this trip. Wire cable is no joke, and fitting them on the wenches was hot, hard work, but it passed the watch swiftly and I had a feeling of accomplishment afterwards.

      Rules of the Road Scenarios? Anchor lighting and day shapes.