Ship-Life Part II

This is the second part to my Ship-Life post. In the previous post I talked mostly about the different work performed in the Survey Department. Now I want to talk about life on the ship after working hours. Since we all live where we work, the dynamics of our social life is much different than in "normal" life.

Going out while in port

ENTERTAINMENT
We have many different forms of entertainment on the NOAA Ship Rainier. Most crew members have books, movies, video games, music, board games, etc. on board. In addition to these, the Rainier plays two movies per night when underway. The ship has been provided with a large selection of NAVY movies. These movies are played on a public channel that can be viewed in the wardroom, crews mess, or staterooms (if you have a television). The movies are played at 1800 and 2030. One of the officers is in charge of creating a diverse movie schedule each week.

Watching movies in the Wardroom

FITNESS AND HEALTH
The ship is equipped with a workout facility that is available for all crew members. The gym includes a multi-use weight machine, a stationary bicycle, a treadmill, an elliptical machine, a punching bag, dumbbells and mats. There is also a television and speakers in the gym. Many people on board will spend part of their free time getting in shape. This is a nice benefit, especially when we are at sea for weeks at a time.

In addition to the gym, many crew members have taken to playing hackysack on the fantail or the boat deck after work. It is fun and a great challenge (especially when the ship is rolling a lot). Others will take the opportunity to do some fishing when we are at anchor.

Hackysack on the fantail after dinner

The crew fishing while anchored

MAIL
Getting mail on the ship is especially exciting for the crew. An officer will usually make a mail run right when we pull into port. Most of the crew spends the weeks at sea looking forward to getting mail from their family and friends, care packages, things they have ordered, etc.

STORES
Right along with the mail, we usually get a large order of stores when we pull into port. This requires help from any available hands on board. We line up (sometimes on the gangway, sometimes on the breezeway)  and pass all the stores down into the ship to be stored, refrigerated, or frozen.

BEACH PARTIES
On occasion, the CO will allow us to go to shore for a beach party when we are anchored. It gives us a chance to explore the different islands we visit, warm up by a fire, and comb the beaches for washed up treasures. The ship has kayaks available, or you can hop in one of skiffs that does runs to and from shore.

Kayaking to shore for a beach party

Our fire on the beach at Chirikof Island

Beach party in the Shumagin Islands

IN PORT
Since we have left our home port, we have visited several different places. We spent a couple of weeks in Seattle, several in ports in Kodiak, a week in Seward, and a few days in Homer. It is a nice bonus for the crew to have time off the ship, explore new cities, go hiking, camping, bear viewing, fishing, etc. We also use this time to go shopping, visit local restaurants, and go out with our shipmates.

SHIP TOUR
To give you a better idea of what the NOAA Ship Rainier looks like, I have compiled a tour video. One of my shipmates, Joshua Parker, was kind enough to show us around. The video covers our living quarters, some work spaces (especially for the Survey Department), lounge areas, decks, crews mess, and a few others. I hope you enjoy the tour!

We are currently working in our North Kodiak survey area. Our goal is to finish the project by next week when we will weigh anchor and begin the long transit home. Our scheduled arrival in Newport is November 2nd.
The weather has turned cold and the mountains have a dusting of snow. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a postcard.

North Kodiak

Snow on the mountains in North Kodiak

Once we are back in Newport, I plan to stay an additional two weeks to help my sheet manager finish up our assigned project. That's it for now. Until my next post, greetings from a chilly Alaska!