Memoirs of a Messman

Dear Readers:

Things around here are quiet… a little too quiet… which means only one thing: tomorrow starts final exams!  The sleep deprived eyes and nervous shuffling of papers are accompanying late nights in the library and a few extended hours here and there have made cadets all the more confident they’ll be alright.  At least, until tomorrow. 

Apart from rampant studying and chronic tiredness, a new strain of “the plague” is apparently circulating amongst the cadets (and some officers).  Between these three factors, it’s basically turning into an episode of “The Walking Dead” around here.

On a brighter note, I sat down last night with Engineering Cadet Sean Olsen, who was our intrepid “Messman” on Sunday.  (Messman is one of the extra duties assigned to cadets throughout cruise who normally assist in the galley [kitchen]; this Sunday they got to be out and about for the BBQ.)  A very good-humored Sean shared that on Sunday his day began at 0500 and didn’t end until 2030, with a few hours’ break in between.  During his time as Messman, Sean’s day started off on a bit of the wrong foot when he arrived late to his duty; in return, he had to wash the “huge!” pots and pans in preparation for the day – “They’re like equipment from Willy Wonka’s factory!” he described. 

The best part of the day to Sean was the opportunity to work with the kind folks of the galley crew.  “They’re fun to be around, and have lots of laughs,” Sean shared, brining a welcomed change to his usual shifts in the engine room.  On top of that, he got to be outside for most of the day assisting the crew as a go-for, and awaiting the unabashed call of “Where’s my Messman??”  He said our BBQ by the Azores was like having two worlds collide: the “American Dream” of a BBQ amidst the international setting of a volcanic island.  One day he hopes to sail across the Atlantic, and hopes he has as much fun as he’s been having as Messman on his own. 

Sean would like to say “Hi mom!”

Until next time (I hope!),

Books