WORKING ON A CONTAINER SHIP | LIFE AS A MERCHANT MARINER

Summary

The speaker shares their 77-day experience working on a container ship, detailing their watch schedule and duties on board. They navigate through various ports, including a significant transit through the Suez Canal and heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. The narrative highlights the camaraderie among the crew, the challenges of short port stays, and the satisfaction of working at sea. Concluding with their return to the U.S., the speaker reflects positively on the journey, expressing excitement for future maritime adventures.

Takeaways

• 🌅 The speaker began their journey on a container ship in December, taking on the role of a watchstander.
• 🚢 Their watch schedule consisted of shifts from noon to 4 PM and midnight to 4 AM, with responsibilities varying between underway and port.
• 🌍 The ship's route included stops along the U.S. East Coast and an Atlantic crossing towards Gibraltar.
• 🎄 The crew spent Christmas at sea and celebrated New Year's Eve anchored in the Atlantic.
• ⚓ Upon reaching Port Said, the speaker felt excitement about transiting the Suez Canal for the first time.
• 🚦 The Persian Gulf crossing was marked by heightened tensions due to current events with Iran.
• 🛳️ Cargo operations were hectic, often resulting in little time off the ship, despite visiting various countries.
• 😴 The crew experienced all-hands wake-up calls before arriving at ports to prepare for docking.
• 🚀 The return transit to the U.S. was smooth and morale was high among the crew.
• 🌟 The speaker reflected positively on their time at sea, expressing a desire for future maritime adventures.

Q & A

What was the duration of the speaker's job on the container ship?

The speaker worked on the container ship for 77 days.

What are the specific watch hours the speaker worked?

The speaker worked from noon to 4 PM and from midnight to 4 AM.

What type of work did the speaker do while on the bridge?

While on the bridge, the speaker primarily stood watch, monitoring operations.

What was the ship's route during the initial transit?

The ship traveled from Jersey to Charleston, then to Savannah, and finally to Houston before heading across the Atlantic.

What notable event occurred during the speaker's transit across the Atlantic?

The speaker spent Christmas in the Atlantic and celebrated New Year's Eve at anchor.

What significant milestone did the speaker achieve during the journey?

The speaker went through the Suez Canal for the first time, which is considered a major accomplishment for sailors.

How did the crew feel while entering the Persian Gulf?

The crew felt heightened tension due to geopolitical events, as they were one of the first U.S. merchant ships close to Iran.

What preparations did the crew make before docking in Mumbai?

The crew received an all-hands wake-up call and split into two groups to prepare the ship's lines for docking.

Why did the speaker feel that experiences started to look the same during the journey?

Due to short port stays, the speaker had limited time to explore each new country, making the experiences feel repetitive.

What were the speaker's feelings upon returning to the United States?

The speaker felt high morale upon returning to the U.S. and reflected positively on their experience working on a container ship.