We pulled into Dutch Harbor on the 23rd and out around 17:30 on Wednesday the 24th. We essentially pulled in, worked until midnight, then got up at 8, busted the rest out, grabbed lunch at Amelia's, finalized the last few lash downs and pulled out. We had to hurry because the assist tug had another job to do and it was madness trying to meet the deadline. To top it off, we had to connect yet another barge in tandem for the trip to Naknek. It's fairly common, yet only a few folks on our boat have done a tandem tow, so there has been a few safety meetings and quick trainings.
At any rate, we began our trip to NakNek which is a few days northeast into Bristol Bay. It's Saturday now and we are waiting outside of the mouth of the Naknek river for the next high tide so that we can make safe passage up to the town. Apparently the water is really shallow and we need the highest tide possible in order to make it.
About an hour ago, we handed off the 2nd barge to the Malalo (another Dunlap towboat) and we are back to out normal load. The process of handing off a barge underway looks something like this. We slow down and reel in the closest barge, secure the tow bridle on deck. Then the other tug comes up and ties up to us on the port side. They then pass their tow wire over to us and we secure it to the tow bridle of the barge, then once everyone has given a thumbs up, we trip the pelican hook that holds the bridle and the entire chain and cable dump off the back in one loud dangerous move. If everything goes well, the other tug is now in control of the front barge and we untie and separate. If one things goes wrong, it can cost lives and or flip boats. Luckily, we have 2-3 people onboard (captain, chief engineer, mate) that had a clue and knew what to do. I assisted with safety lines in the bridle in case the main safety failed, but mostly the cook and myself watched and lent a hand when needed. All said and done, the whole process took about an hour from "call-out" to separation. Call-out is when the chief mate comes down and wakes you up and says "CALL OUT", wake up! Meeting in the pilothouse in 10 minutes". If you are off watch during call out, you immediately are on overtime, so most crew members don't mind it. If you're already on watch, sucks to be you.
So we wait. We will be out here dong large circle for about a day until the tide is right and winds are calm. I guess we are also gauging our entrance on the fact that the winds are supposed to pick up in a few hours to 30+ kts.
I'm back in my rack, trying to grab a few hours of shut-eye before my 2am watch, but its not working. I slept so much over the past 2 days that my body is rebelling. Why did I sleep so much over the past 2 days? Well, that's what you do out here on a tow boat in the middle of the Bring Sea. Plus, when the seas are nasty, it's the easiest way to get through it. Being awake and nauseous sucks... Asleep and nauseous? Not so bad. We are cruising on calm waters right now and I can't feel a ripple. We could easily be tied up in port and I wouldn't know the difference. The only thing that gives it away, is the large aircraft tires that are tied around the forward part of the rail. When the water hits them, they bang around a little and make noise. In nasty seas, it sounds like King Kong is outside the boat, beating on those same tires with a small tree, Did I mention that they are held onto the boat with chain and shackles? Oh yeah, it's a joy to listen to when hitting big waves. Not so much, especially when one's cabin is directly adjacent said tires. If I ever design my own tugboat, I will pay particular attention to tire placement and lashing arrangements... Nuff said. :-)
After Naknek, we are heading back to Dutch for fuel, and then the long trip back to Seattle. Having full fuel tanks across the Gulf of Alaska will also smooth the ride out a little. It's amazing what 129,000 gallons of fuel will do to a boat, although, a lower boat means that the tires I spoke of will be lower to the water and most likely more noisy. That's where the earplugs come in.... But if you miss a callout, your in trouble.. It's a wicked web we live at sea.
It's 23:00 (11pm for those who don't like math) and the sun just went down. Is kinda weird getting used to seeing light so late, but pretty cool at the same time.
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