Tugboat Dislikes

I got to thinking today that's it's only fair I share my dislikes. It seems like a good idea to keep things real and share the downsides to tugboat life (as far as a transition from a ship goes).  

Here goes.  

I share a bathroom. This isn't the biggest deal ever. But, guess who forgot to pack shower shoes?  This girl. The ick factor is high.  

Space is at a premium. My room is about the size of a cleaning gear locker on a ship...okay fine...that's an exaggeration but, my room is small and so is everyone else's.  

You're never alone. Because the boat is small (hence space being at a premium) it's very had to find some time to yourself.  

Exercise feels nigh impossible. On a ship you can really stretch your legs. Sheesh, a walk to the bow alone is a decent leg stretcher. Here, not so much.  

It's wet. We take A LOT of spray and water on the stern. This really drives the above dislike because not only is walking at a shortage - you'll get soaked - plus, it can be unsafe.  

We feel the weather. (Hence it being so wet.). This could be a post of its own and probably will be however; we Rock and Roll. It can make things really challenging.  

All in all, the likes and dislikes remain properly balanced and life remains good. 

Tugboat Likes

I'm on my first rotation on a tugboat and, I've been really, really enjoying my time onboard. 

Here's a couple things I've been really liking (as opposed to ships): 

It's relaxed. People seem to take a very common sense approach to things which means that for the most part it's a much more relaxed environment.

It's dynamic.  We're much more in tune with the environmental factors. What's the wind doing?  Lots of current today?  What are the assist boats doing? How much water are we in?  

It's a community. It's blown my mind how much the tugs take care of each other.  Shared groceries, shared water,  shared information. Two days ago a tug dropped off a box of herbal tea for me. It's very, very refreshing.   

It's social. The crew actually socializes. Cribbage anyone?  Wanna watch a show?  There's one dining room table - we have lively dinner conversations. It's so good for morale.  

It's an open galley. Off meal times you can go to the fridge - find some food - and sheesh even cook it up if you want!  Coming from ships this feels like a luxury.  

It's flexible. Specifically regarding food. We actually go shopping at the grocery store.  If you want a specific cereal put it on the list.  Again, coming from ships this feels like a luxury.  

It's fun.  Hands on often times equals fun and that's very much the case here.  

It's also really hard to not love using the hashtag #nautietugshavenicersterns on Instagram.  

The Arctic Circle

There are Mariner Milestones - I’ve been lucky enough to hit a few of them in my career.

The Prime Meridian - 0 degrees Longitude

The International Dateline - 180 degrees Longitude

The Equator - 0 degrees Latitude

I’ve crossed these imaginary lines.  Most times I’ve crossed these imaginary lines in the middle of the ocean with nothing to mark the occasion other than a glance at the GPS to say, ‘yep, here I am’.

I crossed a new line this week.

The Arctic Circle - 66 degrees 33 minutes North Latitude

As per usual it was a quiet affair with no fanfare.  My shipmates had all crossed it before and were uniformly unimpressed.

Mother Nature however, felt that a proper welcome to the Arctic was necessary and graced me with a nearly white rainbow.

Here’s to Mariner Milestones and Rainbows.  May they never get old.

Packing Light

When I headed out on this trip I knew I had to pack light. My room was going to be tiny. I might be flying to remote locations. I also just wanted to see if I could rise to the challenge. For the past three years I've been able to join my ships at the dock - which means I can pack heavy and then hump that stuff up the gangway. That method was absolutely not going to work this time.  

Kind of a joke....Sadly true... 

I've always treated my luggage like home away from home.  How can I ensure I have a delicious coffee?  Pack an orange zester.  How can I make sure I get a good nights sleep?  Pack flannel sheets + duvet cover. How can I stay mentally active?  Bring an iPad, Kindle, Laptop, iPod + portable speaker...and all required cables and chargers. 

This time out I was cutthroat.  I made lists and slashed, slashed, slashed. 

Then I headed to work with a precise list of what exactly was packed.  

Now that week two is almost complete I have a modified list of what I've used, what I've worn and what I miss. I have to be honest and say the 'what I miss' list has surprised me.  

The good news is packing light wa a good idea because my room is tiny and I might end up having to bunk up with someone.  

What's up with the umbrella?  No clue.  

My room is so small that my bunk actually folds down from the bulkhead! 

In the meantime I'm off to revise my packing lists! 

What are the things you love to pack to bring a little home with you? 

Nautie Tugs Have Nicer Sterns

Sometimes things just unfold.  One second you're going one way and the next thing you know you're going another way. A path that you didn't even consider becomes a viable option and that friends, is exactly why I'm currently sitting on a tugboat headed to ports unknown.  

When I was in school I took Tug & Barge and it was hands down one of the best experiences I had. It was incredibly hands on - we spent all day on the tug - much of the day was spent moving around the barge. It was fabulous.  

Getting out of school I went deep sea. I worked on ships and I moved up my license. I didn't really consider tugs because the tonnage wouldn't have moved up my license.  

Now here I am. I've maxed out my license, I've hopped around the industry (and let's be honest I've struggled to find a home since my favorite ship was reflagged), I've moved back home to Hilo and I've had to do some soul searching. 

What it boils down to is that it's been harder and harder for me to get excited to go to sea. I've just slowly been losing steam. It's been longer than I care to admit that I enjoyed a watch, had fun with my shipmates or really felt like I was excited to learn something new.  All of this is out of character for me. I'm excitable. I enjoy the sea. I love to learn.  

When a friend said, 'why don't you try tugs. You might be surprised!'  I thought, what the heck...I've got nothing to lose.  

One week later I flew out to meet a tug in Japan. Destination to be determined.  

As I stagger around the tug (because ummmm....these tugs really move around...more on this to follow...) it feels new. Right now, new feels good.  

Mettle Maker :: When Plans Go Awry

I am usually the girl with a plan.  It's not usually a plan that makes sense to anyone else - and sometimes my plan is mistaken for spontaneity - but it's normally something that I've given a fair amount of thought to.

For about a year now, I've essentially been 'plan-less'.  It's a feeling that I don't like.  It leaves me restless and anxious.  Unsure about where to go, what I want, and how to get there.  I have to be honest and say, I've never felt this way before.

I had a plan.  A good one.  Then my ship was reflagged and sold and it felt a little like getting punched in the mouth.

A couple months ago I ran across a quote from Viola Davis and it really resonated with me.  

“One thing that is missing from the vision boards is what happens when you don’t get what you want, your ability to adapt to failure, and navigate your way out of it, absolutely 100 percent makes you who you are.”

— Viola Davis

Losing my ship when I did couldn't have happened at a worse time in my career.  I had just gotten my Captains license and, by being displaced I was set back years, actual years, in my quest to sail as Master.

Except, that with most things in life 'getting punched in the mouth' has really taught me a lot.  A lot about myself, about persistence, about not burning bridges....and about burning some that should be burnt, about family, about friends, about having a good attitude, about heart and home and about making the best of what you've got.

Being 'punched in the mouth' and 'plan-less' has done one hugely important thing.  It's taught me that I swim.  Sink or Swim?  I swim.  I always have.  Just keep swimming?  I'm there.  I refuse to sink?  Damn straight.  Which leads me to maybe one of my all time favorite quotes.

“They say don’t burn bridges you may have to cross later. I say I don’t mind swimming if the bridge was fucked up to begin with.”

— Sonya Teclai

Getting punched in the mouth, burning bridges, swimming for your life - these things help you.  It never ever, ever feels like it at the time but, they define you.  They make you stronger, they give you perspective, they show you what you're capable of.  

What do you do when plans go awry?  Whatever you have to.