I havn't posted for a while I realise... Just never had the motivation I guess. We have had one hell of a rough yards period recently that we just got out of. Because of all the civilian workers on the boat we would have to wait until after there working hours to run any drills. We'd start our normal drills at about 1530 and they would normally run for about 2-3 hours.. after which I'd have to go back to work and finish off the work for the day. So for near the last 2 months other than the 8 days of leave I got for Holiday I've been working on average 12-16 hour days...
I did get a car here though. Well my wife and I bought a 'new to her' car for her and I have her old one. Since I'm not driving all that often or far it's a great hookup. The most I ever drive it is to meet up with her. But I digress...
We did one of the most awesome and scary things I've ever done before. It was no real fire but it's basically as close as you can come on the ship without the flames. We had one of the main engine rooms smoked out for the drills and sent us in to show us a much closer representation of what it would be like in a real scenerio. Doing a drill is one thing, but going into a room in full sauna gear that's totally smoked out is totally different. You learn why they make you duck down all the time.. you can 'somewhat' see when your ducked compared to standing. Not to mention the whole heat rising thing.
The whole time you have to follow physical cues and physical touch to get from place to place on the hose line. Visual cues are totally useless and you thank god your mask is one that actually fits the entire time... Makes me realise more of what I'll be going through if something bad ever does happen. Basically I won't know what's going on with the fire other than what little I can get from the 1mc.. and that my knees will be killing me.
Other than that all has been pretty normal. Daily life on the boat and all. Will probably post some more interesting articles soon assuming I have the motivation to do so.