Rumors, New Guy, and new equipment

I went out on watch about 15 minutes early today. I was up and didn't have anything better to do, so I figure I'd give the port cop a break and left him out a little early. First thing I notice is that everything is wet. I ask him if it rained or if it's the humidity and he said yeah, the dew dropped. Even the log paper had that damp feeling to it. That's cool, so I set up all my stuff the way I like it and do my thing, logging in all the OIS guys... most of which by now I know their names and faces. After about half an hour, the fog rolls in, and not just a little. Thick ass London style fog! I snapped a pic of the Skandi Neptune as she was pulling away this morning, hardly visible through all the fog. From what I hear, one of our container source vessels, the Kylie Williams is supposed to be parking over there in the next day or so.

Around 715am a guy comes out from the accommodations that I don't recognize. He comes over to me and introduces himself as Dave. I was like, "Ooooohhhh right, the new handler?" He said yeah, and I asked him when he came in last night, because according to the bunk layout, he's supposed to be in my room. But they put him upstairs so I'm still going solo down here in the dungeon, haha. He's a cool guy, another American (that makes three of us on here now!) and he just came over from the Kylie Williams as a matter of fact.

So we'd had these guys from Odim up in Canada here installing some new hardware on our boat. It's called a MVP, or Moving Vessel Profiler. It's a machine that drags a probe in the water behind our ship, at varying depths and it gives us back specs for many aspects of the water column. I'm not going to get into it any more than that, but it's pretty neat. We got some hands on training today to learn how to deploy and recover the device. So that brings me to well... me! Having this new handling guy, as well as the maritime crew maybe getting someone new, and a few Odim guys staying on board for testing... I was going to be moved to a much bigger boat, one of our streamer boats, the Western Neptune for a week, week and half or so. Wasn't relishing the idea, but I do what I'm told so it wouldn't have been a big deal, and from what I know, the crew coming on is a good crew to work with anyhow. But as it all turns out, only 2 Odim guys are probably coming along, and I'll get to stay here, yay!

I did get out and take some pics, so check 'em out. The Boa Sub C made a return as is now parked next to us!

Super foggy morning.

Mark from Odim working on the MVP.

"Potable Water my ass!"

Creepy little spider I found.

"... and a bottle of Faygo!" Gay ass ICP drink.

Helicopter flying over the dock.

Another helicopter I snapped from off in the distance.

Dead pelican we found floating in the water this afternoon.

People fishing.

These people have been here fishing damn near everyday.

Neat Jeep I got got a pic of with the Boa Sub C in the background.

Boa Sub C

New day, new stuff to take pics of

I had high hopes for today, really I did. Did my normal 5am wakeup, freshened up and headed upstairs to get my PPE on. I stopped at my PC to check on my payslip... and was happy to see it had updated. It was a good payday, but still no gain-share or other bonus from our previous job... was kind of disappointed in that. This is also October, and it had been said that there would be a company wide pay raise... and there was, if you qualified. I won't get into the specifics, but I didn't qualify :(

Anyhow, so I was bummed on that account, but got dressed and went and manned my post up on deck. It was really windy out, and a little cool. But my two hours flew by as usual and back down below I went. I ate my breakfast, caught up briefly on some news, and took a hot shower. I bold that because since I've been out here in Alabama... I've only had two hot water showers. All the rest have been cold :(

And the last thing, PPE. I always wear my PPE in areas I should and when on watch. Hell, here in port it really is safe to have it on whenever your outside because of all the activity and potential hazards... and I do that. But PPE on just to have it on, ALL THE TIME? Kind of sucks, but I'm over it and really, no big deal. I feel more important with it on anyway.

I did have a chance to get out along the pier for more pics... enjoy.

Save the drama for yo mama, AHAHAHAHAHA!


Gehr watching the FRB trials.


Ian relaxing and staying out of the sun on watch.


Jan Erik.


John Savoie.


The BJ Challenger, Deepwater Stimulation Vessel.


Southern Star 1


Crane ball and hook.


Jan Erik and Martin on the FRB.


FRB coming back home.


Our SLB VSAT dome.


Toisa Crest with the Ocean Odyssey behind her.


Toisa Crest from the front, after turning around.


Toisa Crest bowline.


Land outcropping.


Pelican flying in front of the TC.


Pelican chillin'.


Pelican mean muggin', almost looks like that red/white diving sign.

Oct. 13th brings the TOISA CREST

This morning was a pretty interesting one... however don't let that fool you into thinking it wasn't boring as hell. I went out to start my gangway watch shift at about 5:52am, and all was pretty normal. Around 7am, when first light was breaking, the good stuff started.

I was looking out towards the bow of the Skandi Neptune across the dock from us, and saw things in the water. It was a mass of dolphins! A few minutes later one after the other they started jumping our of the water flipping and spinning. It was pretty neat, and very unfortunate I did not have my camera out with me at that time.

At 730am, I peered a vessel headed towards us.. it was orange and tan. From a distance, it looked red and tan, and I though maybe it was a PGS boat. But as it got closer, I could tell it was not. I had remembered hearing another WesternGeco contracted boat was coming in, so I figured it was it. Sure enough, as it turned away to back in, I saw it's name, the Toisa Crest. It is owned by the UK company SeaLion, and is being contracted out by WG to be a source vessel (same thing my boat does, only my boat was made for it). The TC looks like a converted supply boat, as all it's gear is out in the open on deck. It must suck for those guys. Anyway, here's a few pics of it from this morning... my camera kept getting foggy, so I hope they look fine.

Another boring day in port

Not much to say really, just another day. Got a few good snaps. The Western Regent is up the creek at the State Docks now, and rumor has it one of our chase/supply boats will be our new neighbor here at Middle Bay. Enjoy the images.

Me, this morning after my watch shift and a shower.


The Skandi Neptune Multi-Funtcion Offshore Support Vessel.


Skandi Neptune business end.


Huge reel in the middle of the Skandi Neptune.


Subsea 7


Our FRB getting worked on.


Spools on land.


Various gas tanks.


The Ms. Wendy.


Engine piston being moved.


Pistons.


Martin and Gehr.


Jose playing PSP.


Anton doing whatever Anton does...