Well the day has finally come when we start the workup, I know whatever we do the staff will pickup us for things. We have to stay cheerful and play the game though.
I had a major scare last week after a call from Debbie but the ship were really good and got me ashore so that I could get home. Thankfully the scan went OK and everything seems fine. I just wish I could be home to give Debbie more support as it can not be easy for her looking after the little one by herself. I had a taste of it when Beth was two weeks old and Debbie went away for a week at sea but I know it can't be easy as I am away for months.
We had our first day of OST today with Deck Officer aviation and ROR exams. We all passed the aviation exam and are just awaiting the results for the ROR exam so fingers crossed.
We sail for the MASC (material and safety check) so it is going to be a busy day but the rest of the week shouldn't be too bad as it is all harbour serials. However next week is going to be a very different story. Mind you at the end of the day we only have two sea weeks and then things should calm down a bit. There is light at the end of the tunnel though as we are planning to get Elizabeth christened onboard after OST when we are alongside in Portland which will hopefully go smoothly.
Anyway I am not sure when I will next get to write my blog but I really should try to write more often.
Monday, 27 April 2009
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Thursday 16th April 09
Things as usual have been busy this end, however the time is going by and I have now done a month onboard. Preps for OST have gone well with the team working hard last week getting the charts etc ready. We are all set to go now although next weeks shake down is likely to be very busy.
Easter was fun, Debbie and the little one came down to spend some time with me on the ship. Elizabeth was well behaved even when I dragged her up to the bridge to work with me in the mornings so Debbie could sleep. She was quite happy sitting on the chart table giggling and playing with her toys whilst I cracked on with my work. Thankfully she is not at the crayon stage yet so she didn't draw all over the charts.
It was really good to see the two of them and I am missing them again so much, only a month to go until the christening. I really hope that it turns out to be an enjoyable day for everyone and it is something to look forward to as we go through OST.
Well the XO has now changed and the new Old Man joins tomorrow so I think it will be all change on here. The outgoing Old Man has been a real breath of Fresh Air after the likes of SJ, I just hope the new one is as easy to work for, only time will tell I suppose.
Easter was fun, Debbie and the little one came down to spend some time with me on the ship. Elizabeth was well behaved even when I dragged her up to the bridge to work with me in the mornings so Debbie could sleep. She was quite happy sitting on the chart table giggling and playing with her toys whilst I cracked on with my work. Thankfully she is not at the crayon stage yet so she didn't draw all over the charts.
It was really good to see the two of them and I am missing them again so much, only a month to go until the christening. I really hope that it turns out to be an enjoyable day for everyone and it is something to look forward to as we go through OST.
Well the XO has now changed and the new Old Man joins tomorrow so I think it will be all change on here. The outgoing Old Man has been a real breath of Fresh Air after the likes of SJ, I just hope the new one is as easy to work for, only time will tell I suppose.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
ANOTHER WEEK GONE
We arrived in port yesterday morning after a hectic week with FOST. We got assessed as safe which was nice with 90% of serials passed as safe. No time to rest though as we sail again Tuesday morning to conduct ranging for 24 hours before returning alongside. The first set shouldn't be too taxing as we sail along in a straight line. However the second lot should be interesting to say the least as the range that we are using is only about 5 cables off the coast and we will be going up and down it all night.
The weekend hasn't been to bad though, I have managed to get a bit of work done both afternoons whilst everyone was a shore. I have also had a couple of walks which have been rather pleasant. The weather has been glorious and so I have managed to sit out side the cove and listen to the waves smashing up against the beach.
Well another week is starting and as usual there is far to much work to do. I am sure it will all get done, I just wish there was some enjoyment left in it all.
At least next weekend is Easter weekend and Debbie is coming down to the ship for the weekend. I am really looking forward to seeing her and the little one. I had just better get ready for all the nappy changing.
The weekend hasn't been to bad though, I have managed to get a bit of work done both afternoons whilst everyone was a shore. I have also had a couple of walks which have been rather pleasant. The weather has been glorious and so I have managed to sit out side the cove and listen to the waves smashing up against the beach.
Well another week is starting and as usual there is far to much work to do. I am sure it will all get done, I just wish there was some enjoyment left in it all.
At least next weekend is Easter weekend and Debbie is coming down to the ship for the weekend. I am really looking forward to seeing her and the little one. I had just better get ready for all the nappy changing.
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
READY FOR SEA
SARC 2 is now complete (well almost, they are just completing the Harbour fire exercise) and we sail for SARC 3 tomorrow morning. It is going to be a long day for all onboard but hopefully all will go smoothly.
It always strikes me with FOST the days are always so crammed you never have time to do your normal jobs. It is just lucky that I quite like listening to radio 2 in the small hours as I manage to get a lot of work done between 0500 and 0800 which just about allows me to keep my head above water.
I am a little nervous about the navigation bits tomorrow as I am working off someone else's plans with my own note book. Hopefully after tomorrow Paul will resume with the Navs duties and allow me to focus on the Ops side as there is so much to do to ensure everything runs smoothly over the coming months.
Once we have SARC complete I will just have to make sure we don't loose the momentum as there will not be much time to get the preps finished off for OST. We just need clear guidance as to who will be doing the Navigation.
I suppose in six weeks this will all be over and we can continue with our normal job as the Glen guard ship. Saying that the weather should hopefully be alright by the time we get there.
It always strikes me with FOST the days are always so crammed you never have time to do your normal jobs. It is just lucky that I quite like listening to radio 2 in the small hours as I manage to get a lot of work done between 0500 and 0800 which just about allows me to keep my head above water.
I am a little nervous about the navigation bits tomorrow as I am working off someone else's plans with my own note book. Hopefully after tomorrow Paul will resume with the Navs duties and allow me to focus on the Ops side as there is so much to do to ensure everything runs smoothly over the coming months.
Once we have SARC complete I will just have to make sure we don't loose the momentum as there will not be much time to get the preps finished off for OST. We just need clear guidance as to who will be doing the Navigation.
I suppose in six weeks this will all be over and we can continue with our normal job as the Glen guard ship. Saying that the weather should hopefully be alright by the time we get there.
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