Sunsets, yet again

Here are some of the best sunsets i've captured so far this trip. Makes me remember why I love it at sea.

Daily Operations

Once the vessel has left for sea, we most often gather all persons onboard to inform them of emergency routines, where they may find lifsaving appliances, and how to react in an emergency situation. This is both a way for new persons onboard to learn this important matters, and also a great oportunety for us to double check that the information we have is correct. Mostly people are ok by us doing this, it is after all a requirement for all vessels, but some are always unhappy because it happens during their free watch.

This trip we have mostly made slow headway along already laid lines. Burrying pipelines, or cables to protect them from forces from outside. mostly theese forses are considered to be trawlers or anchors, but when the product is burried a metre into the seabed, it' most often safe. This is tidious work, and we are always hoping for something to happen that will break up the routine work. The highlights of this trip have been two helicopter landings, whereof the last landing were my first as HLO(Helicopter Landing Officer)

First task when the helicopter has landed is to put in place chocks under its landing gear, to prevent the helicopter to move. Then my job is to get to a position outside the rotors and maintain communication with the pilots, until the helicopter is ready for takeoff.

This may seem easy, but there are a lot of preparations to be made before the helicopter may land. On ships side the whole landing crew consists of 10 persons including firemen, heliguards, MOB boat crew, campboss and the bridge.

Luckily we do not have facilities for refueling

Back on track

I must admit that the reason why I have not made any entries to my blog the last couple of weeks is not my extremely tight schedule, or my incredible busy program. Frankly it's my lack of anything to do, that leaves me with nothing to tell, that is the reason why there have been no updates. I need to get myself some hobbies while I'm off shift, part from drinking coffee, and wearing out the couch.

I'm back on board, and we're for once straight off to sea, upon nearly completion of the crew change. Since we were in such a hurry the last man to arrive came by helicopter two days after the planned change, so there is no room for delays.

Currently we are digging a trench for a power-cable, at a rate of nearly 400m per hour, it might not seem very fast, but if one take into consideration that the trench is nearly 1 meter deep, and half a meter wide and 350 meters below the surface, it'll guess it's not that bad after all

IDPOA

In these modern days there is of course a forum designated for DP Operators. This might be one of the best sites for anyone wishing to learn more about DP, ask questions or share knowledge. Anyone interested in the future of Dynamic Positioning should join here. I've been a member for some time, and have found it very interesting and worth while.

As I have learned from my period working with DP, there is always someone more skilled, that have more experience, that is willing to share their knowledge. I would also think that a forum specific for such a specialized subject is better any day than more generalized forums.