Life at Sea

    I'm on a boat! So I survivied my first day at sea. It really isn't that bad, but I will definately have to get used to living in such close quarters with 30 other people.  Once I got to Pascagoula, I was brought down to the ship where I was then directed to my room. It is literally across from the mess hall, so I don't have to walk far for food (but the ship is only 170ft, so everything really isnt that far). My room is actually pretty big, much larger than I was expecting. And the great thing is that I have my own shower/sink so I don't have to walk down the hall and share it with everyone else. I got lucky! My roommate, Savannah, is really sweet, and she let me have the bottom bunk (score!).

      I actually won't have to begin working until thursday night because we have to wait until we are off the coast of texas. So that means for two days we can do anything, and I have been watching movies all day long. Did you notice that I said thursday night? Yep, I got the night shift...ha so I will start tomorrow night at 12 and work till 12 the next day. I like the crew I'm working with on that shift so it should be fun. I'll let you know how adjusting to a different sleep cycle is in the future.

     The ship has its entire crew on the boat so that consists of commanding officers, engineers, deck hands, cooks, etc. We had a run down yesterday of what life on a boat is like and the "to do's" and "not to do's". The rules are pretty much common sense. 

      So far the food is pretty good so I can't complain. In the mess hall there is not enough seats to sit the entire crew so you have to eat and run, no diddle-daddling. Also, there are two seats- one for the commanding officer (CO) and one for the chief engineer. Those are always reserved for them so if they happen to come in and you are sitting in their spot- guess what, you have to move. I'm just avoiding those seats.    

      One thing that I am still trying to adjust to is the constant moving back and forth. Like right now as I'm typing...back and forth, back and forth. You just have to ignore it, and if you constantly think about it, you will just get sick. Mom- its not as bad as the boat in Key Largo, but I am still pretty sure you wouldn't like it. 

      Overall, I really like life on the ship so far. I love going outside on the bridge and just looking out at the ocean. I mean we are literally in the middle of the Gulf, no land in sight. We have passed lots of oil rigs, and I am constantly keeping my eye out for oil from the spill. I've seen lots of dolphins so far just swimming along the boat, and my goal is to see a shark which I am pretty sure we will catch when we start working. Well, I'm about to go curl up in my little bunk, read, and go to sleep! I'll keep you updated!