"Oscar"

Dear Readers,

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a Search & Rescue workshop for first year “mugs” and 2nd classers (look out for pictures soon). The workshop, which is one of the requirements cadets must past for their “STCW” (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) is being taught by engineering instructor Richard Wickboldt down in the 2nd hold cargo area. For a layperson like me, the class was a nice glimpse into how search and rescue teams communicate in adverse conditions to locate people and bring them to safety.

Forming into three-man teams, the students were asked to stage a rescue under a “worst case scenario,” wearing masks over their eyes to mimic what it might be like to be blinded by smoke. A dummy – lets call him Oscar after his former friend and colleague – was placed in the center of the room. Holding a rope, the rescue team crawled on their hands and knees, using rope signals to communicate with their teammate outside the room. They felt first for the beams of the ship to guide their way and then easily found their way to the center of the room. As the unofficial “maiden in distress,” I shouted things like “help! I’m drowning!” and “I hope you find me soon!” to help guide them towards the dummy. I’m happy to report that they saved us every time: I now feel very safe aboard the ship!

Today, the cadets also are busy practicing “man overboard drills.” So far from what I’ve seen, this involves chucking Oscar into the water on the starboard side and lowering and launching the fast rescue boat to practice saving him, all of this done very efficiently in a matter of minutes using the “Williamson” turn. While stopping the engine could take as long as a minute and a half, this special turn allows the boat to accurately reverse course so that rescuers can find the
swimmer before they are lost to sight.

It was a beautiful day both yesterday and today and very warm on deck. We’ve been anchoring close to Cobh every night and moving about by day at around 13 knots. Tomorrow, if rumors are correct, I hear we will start our northerly route through St. George’s channel past the Isle of Mann and on towards the Hebrides islands. Stay tuned for updates!

Cadet Shout out: Kyle Shepard says “Hi to Mom and Dad. Hope all’s well in Orlando. I’m still alive and miss you lots!” 

--Laurel--