Saturday, August 27, 2005

15:26:58 Hours

We received the word earlier today that Katrina has taken a more westerly track.  

This is not good news for us, since that places us with in 90 miles of her projected track towards Louisiana. The company set is abuzz with evacuation orders and procedures. Dozens of men are loading various crew boats, working with Devon, heading to the beach. We are presently standing by at Eugene Island Block 120 for an evacuation load, approximately 30 souls.

There is a steady NE wind with 1-3 foot seas; it is the calm before the storm. The north easterly flow began steady last night as the counter-clockwise semi-circular hurricane bands begin overtaking our location.

We spent the last several hours securing platforms, cranes and production facilities against the impending storm. The VHF radio is full of discussions as personnel across the area prepare to leave the facilities in the gulf.

The word is given; “Prepare to be loaded out with personnel, south crane.”

Twenty six men and women boarded the vessel at 1500 hours. Operators and technicians from various fields were flown to EI 120 for this evacuation. As we got underway and settled in, we began moving towards the base in Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Settling back with the stereo and conversation for our three hour run into the beach

Unexpectedly, a voice comes over the radio. “Any vessel in the vicinity of Eugene Island 86, helicopter requires assistance.” The captain of the chopper and I communicated for a few minutes, I cleared the action with the Devon rep on the vessel, and it was agreed we would pick up his passengers and himself for our ride to the base. He had a sheared starter shaft and was unable to start his bird. Four men spread out over three platforms in the field boarded to take and unanticipated boat ride home.

After a quick stop at EI 51b, to pick up 4 more passengers, we are enroute.

There in lies the hook, “we” are not really going to the beach; “they” are. Our orders are to offload all passengers and cargo and return to the field as back up for the final evacuation of all personnel tomorrow at 0830 hours. Back into harms way is our mission. This has been going on for years, standard operating procedure, as they say.

By 2030 hours we are offloaded and returning to Eugene Island. We love this job, it is the excitement punctuated by boredom that keeps us interested. Offloading offshore, navigating new waterways, running for hours under the cover of darkness; all lend to the unknown nature of this profession.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

01:15:00 hours

You can tell when your destination is reached, especially if the seas are a bit unsettled. After running for several hours and catching up on my sleep some we were back in the action. The seas and winds had picked up a good bit over just the 8 hours we were gone. We were looking for our secure mooring for the remainder of the morning. My second captain was a little off target due to an error on my part in the plotter but we found our spot.

Probably the most hazardous place to be on a crew boat is on a pitching deck, catching a line in marginal sea conditions. You are exposed to slashing seas, falling overboard and various other difficulties. Like the true and tried professionals that we are, the vessel was secured without incident. A little talk followed and apologies from me for the salt bath the engineer had to endure.

Katrina is now a category three, solid, verging on a category four. Sleep is the order of the day while we rest for the events of the following morning.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

05:48:14 hours

It was a short night but the company radio over my head alerted me to the day and our orders for the next few hours. “Captain, the chopper should land around 0830 hours and you should proceed to safe harbor as soon as we have departed the field.” It is good news and we are ready. I sleepily go forward to the galley and start my first pot of coffee. I did not know I would not have my first cup for yet another three hours.

As I climbed the stairs and took my first look outside I was surprised, to say the least. We were looking at a 6-8’ ground swell out of the south with 3-5’ wind chop out of the NE, confused seas to say the least. The boat was lying in nicely and you could not tell by her motion there were such conditions a foot. The Sophie is a very tight vessel and rides well in all conditions.

For the next three hours I was glued to the weather radio and machines. Satellite weather data was coming in new every 15 to 20 minutes, addendums to the normal four hour notices. Our office e-mailed us with orders to proceed to Cameron Louisiana as soon as possible.

This is developing into a massive storm. The forecasters are comparing it to Camille, circa 1969. We are already experiencing 10 foot swells associated with the feeder bands of this storm.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

12:01:49 hours

Well on our way and feeling safer every minute. We are now three hours out of Cameron Louisiana, proceeding under orders for Lake Charles.

There is no pinpointing nature, we can forecast, project, guess and even pray but when it comes down to it, what you get is what you get.

In my personal opinion; all we can do is our best and then trust the process. The process of life is learning and growing, evolving into what our higher power wishes for us to become. It is a giant school of learning and wisdom. Wisdom is the principle thing, obtain wisdom at all costs. I must learn to grow, not kick and scream. I must learn to flow not break out in a cold sweat of fear.

Blame, why does God always get blamed? “Henry, Frank Burns is a menace. Every time somebody croaks he says it is God’s will or somebody else’s fault.” MASH 1969. These words have echoed in my ears for 30 years now. God always gets the blame or the credit for all that happens when in reality, in my opinion, life is like a top spinning on the floor. Monitored by the spinner but chagrin to do any thing to alter its course.

This is what my time on the water is like. Thinking and processing all that happens around me. Wondering and speculating. The mind is an amazing thing.

Copyright 2005 ~ Captain James ~ http://web.wt.net/~jameswh