24 Hours in a Day

Not joking,worlds largest Marine Travelift

I swear I just need a little more time!It's been a very hectic month or so and I just can't seem to find the time to write,relax or even think.I'm sure everyone else has this problem on a daily basis but it's a new thing for me and I hate it.I can always find/make some time for myself.As an example,I usually bring three books of around 300 pages a piece to the boat for a thirty day hitch.I usually run out of reading material with a week left.This hitch with a week left to go,I have read a little over 100 pages.So now that I have explained myself,let me try and summarize what I have been doing and what I hope to be doing this time next week.Here we go,keep your hats on and hold on.

I asked for a boat transfer it was granted

I worked on a new boat for 4 days and got transferred to a cement barge for training

I was extremely upset over this transfer but dealt with it because I have financial responsibilities

I worked on the cement barge for a few weeks

I got transferred to another boat

I was excited as anyone at work could be

The boat went to the shipyard for routine maintenance

By this time next week the ducks and geese in Southeast Virginia have reason to be scared

So there it is and I'm out of time.I got to take a trip up the Hudson to the Catskills,unfortunately it was to a cement dock.The view was awesome but I didn't have time to enjoy it.I will try and do everything possible except force myself to write more often this year.Not because I think people want to read it,because I need to get it off of my mind and out on paper or laptop.Take care and I hope everyone had a great Holiday Season!

Tis the Season

The Gutrunner hooked up to the duck truck,ready to go

I have had some of the best times I can remember over the last few weeks.I'm almost scared to tell the world about it because my luck is sure to change.I was granted all of two weeks home,I got the boat transfer I asked for and the hunting has been some of the best I think I have ever seen.I'm sure I just jinxed myself but that's alright,I have the memories of the last few weeks to carry me through the hard times to follow.I'm going to jump right into the hunting adventures and leave the thought of work alone for a few more days until i have to return to the boat.

Blacwater River,December 2010

It started with me finding my way onto the Blackwater river on the last day of the second split.I went duck hunting by myself and bagged exactly zero birds.The great thing was I really don't care because I saw birds they just wanted nothing to do with me.The following week with the season closed I finally made it around to getting a new trailer for the duck boat.This has been a long time coming and I feel much better about my investment being towed behind me.For one the lights work on this trailer.The next day I had an all day hunt planned with my brother,Nutty Professor in the morning,and my friend and his son in the afternoon.

Nutty Professor with a few mallards

The morning went like no other hunt I have ever had in my boat.My brother and I were literally covered in mallards on the minute of legal shooting time.We shot poorly but still managed to scratch out a few birds throughout the morning.The birds were still flying when we left however we had birds to clean and I needed a break before I spent the afternoon back in the marsh.That afternoon the local meteorologists had the weather wrong to say the least.The rain started ten hours early and the predicted wind was non existent.My friends son was out on his first boat hunt and he was miserable just like us.The rain didn't let up and we saw one bird all afternoon that was making his way to Florida.Great memories but I feel that my friends son may now be against anything that has to do with a boat.After a day off,we can't hunt on Sunday in Virginia,My friend and I decided to give it another go.

My buddy,drenched and not happy

Same buddy,different attitude.Our two drake black ducks

We had to deal with traffic issues trying to get to the boat ramp and almost missed first light.With only minutes to spare the boat blind was erected and the birds came in to the feeding hole.We scratched out a few mallards and decided to make a run for our original spot we didn't have time to make it to that morning.The meteorologists again got the weather wrong.The day before this epic hunt we had torrential rain and temperatures around sixty.The forecast for the next day was 38 with a stiff north wind.The actual temps were 30-32 with snow and zero wind.The snow had the local birds confused and hungry.They flew all morning and put on quite a show.Even though after we moved to the new spot we had very few birds give us a look,it was the most birds I have ever seen flying continually in all directions.A great show by mother nature,this was the best hunt I have ever put on.Not because we took a few birds but because I was in a boat with awesome ducky weather with a good friend and his duck dog,Benny.The following day my friend gave me a ring and let me know he had a half day at work the next day.It was time to hook the boat up one more time.

Upon returning to the same boat dock we quickly found out the ramp was closed for repairs.Thanks again to my friends GPS we made our way to a new area only recently scouted .We found ourselves in a river that was frozen over from shore to shore from the minus 15 degree temperature of the past few nights.Let it be known,I have never driven a boat through ice and I would rather not do it again.It took forever and thankfully I have an aluminum boat.Although not indestructible,it definitely broke the ice.When we showed up in the creek we found the only area with open water and threw out some decoys and the mighty mojo.Getting ready we heard geese in the area,which are out of season,and crossed our finger that some birds would come check us out.We got lucky,two drake black ducks came to check out our decoys a few minutes after first light and they were subsequently bagged by one shot from me and one from my friend.We got buzzed by a Bufflehead and a drake Mallard and around 830 decided we were frozen enough and picked up to head back to the dock.The tide now being low it was an experience trying to get the boat back on the trailer at the ramp.We used oars to bust the ice and wheel chocks to keep my truck from sliding into the river.As of now it's snowing again outside and although my urge to go back out and hunt again is relentless,I know it's a better idea to take a day off and enjoy nature from the couch in my heated house.

Back in the Big Apple for the third Winter in a row and excited about it,what's wrong with me.This is the third Winter in a row I have been "stationed" in and around the New York Harbor.Many other Seamen hate the Winters up here,I happen to love them.The strong North winds,the ice,the snow and the work is never ending.Unfortunately we will be going back South in a few days for a short lived job on the Potomac River in Maryland.I guess they need some coal,something about it's getting cold,i didn't notice.So as we headed through Hells Gate the other day and I grabbed my camera I thought for the millionth time what it was like way back when.I can only wonder and read sea journals because I will never know.There are some huge changes that will be taking place in my career over the next few months.Step one transfer boat,step two finish out sea time for merchant mariner document upgrade,step three go back to school,step four and most importantly we will discuss at a later date after it happens.Everyone have a great Thanksgiving and if you have a chance to get outside then do it.There is nothing stopping you from enjoying a day in the woods or on the water.Yes it's cold but you can always put more clothes on!

It's Over

That's right the dredge job of doom is over.Not knowing if the dredge site would be shut down the next day or would be active for another five years was getting really depressing.However upon my return to the boat from my off time I learned we would soon be leaving the Gulf Coast region and was ecstatic.More on where we are going next in a later post because at the moment I have only an idea.Ideas in this business are worth about as much as a weak cup of coffee.So let's talk about what I did in my time off besides catch an awesome cold that lasted entirely to long.I slept entirely to much end of story.

That is quite the opposite actually.After catching up on bills,a month worth of landscaping and other assorted home owner things I found some time to hang out with my brother swamp thing.Had a great time inflicting pain on my shoulder by shooting a cheap shotgun at clays for a few hours.The silly things I call fun right.I really did have a nice relaxing time hanging with swampy,his wife and the little kid.Upon returning home the cold of death took over my life for a few days.Now please understand I am a huge baby when it comes to pain but this cold was horrible.I'm an idiot so no I did not go to the doctor.i just toughed it out and ate entirely to many products with vitamin c.My last few days home found me drained of all energy so I did what every man would do when the fish are biting.I went fishing!

The blackwater River is a different kind of river.I could and probably will do an entire write up on the small stretch of river that I had a chance to see over the two days of boating.Coughing up a lung,stuffed up nose,chills,strong north winds,yes go fishing.What an awesome time I had and only a few minutes down the road from my new house.I located a few ducks and geese,plenty of deer,beyond beautiful scenery and some fish.So back at work now and exhausted.Hopefully heading back north and I hope to find some time to do some in depth write ups.

The End in Sight?

That seems to be the big question.In a maritime world that is ever changing,along with an economy that continues to flounder have we reached the bottom yet?If I was a betting man I would say, well that depends .It depends much on how harsh of a winter we have coupled with how interested America stays in the clean up of the Gulf Oil spill.Follow me for a second and maybe I can get through to you.Everyone knows about the gulf oil spill,everyone knows it has put many fisherman,shrimpers,beach resorts financially in a bad way.Everyone also knows that it has employed many merchant marines,created government jobs,etc.Unfortunately whatever "good" has come from it will soon turn out horribly wrong.See all those jobs are temporary and unfortunately America has forgotten that millions of barrels of oil are still floating around in limbo in the Gulf Of Mexico,thanks chemical dispersant.Out of sight out of mind,right?Wrong,damn it it will eventually get caught in the currents and make it's way to a beach near you.It may take years but you will see it and it will have some effect on your personal life,mark my words.

So the Gulf is "clean" again,see above,and the permits to clean it up are all running out.Problem numero uno as I see it.Why the hell do we need permits to clean up spilled oil?So the permits run out and all the temporary jobs come to an end.Fortunately for merchant seaman involved Winter is right around the corner and I'm serious this will make or break us part one.If we have a harsh Winter you cold Americans in your warm houses need heating oil and lots of it!We the nice people of the inland and coastal waterways are proud to give it to you at an exorbitant price mind you,but you understand it's just business.Bottom line,if you get cold we stay employed so crank the heat up would you.That brings us to Spring time.

Yes I know it is months away but I'm a professional worrier and I worry about the future.Odd that just a few years ago I didn't care if the sun came up the next day.So it's Spring time,the Gulf is clean,the oil didn't make it to the East Coast,you got cold and kept me employed,thanks world for cooperating.Now all the Gulf coast fisherman can get back to work and catch all those shrimp and blue crabs so the state of Maryland can fee the tourists.This leads them to get off the tugboats they came to this Summer and frees up positions for me to move on with my career.It all sounds so simple,so what could go wrong.

Eureka!

No I have not found the cure for all communicable diseases or anything even close,I had a deep thought.Understandably this gave me the worlds biggest headache since my operating system,brain,is sometimes referred to as "puny".Never fear I wrote down my deep thought and because I'm a true American it had to do with money,my future and how I ended up here.So let's play a quick game of catch up if you will so everyone is up to speed.The Gulf Oil Disaster,or whatever name you wish to give it,has been keeping the majority of American Merchant Marines busy for the last few months,me included.We have been working with dredge companies,hauling sand and mud offshore to then be pumped inland to create barrier islands to keep the oil off of and away from extremely fragile marshes.I hope you followed that because there will not be a review.Seriously when time permits I will spend time posting pictures and articles detailing the craziness we have endured the last few months in the bayou.I would like to take the time after the job is completed,3 months to five years from now,to remind everyone of exactly what happened down here.A few weeks ago before returning to work I finally moved out of the city and into my firat house.The first few days in that house were the most relaxing days I have literally had in years.I will detail this at some point as well.I did get the opportunity to go out for a September goose hunt with my brother,the nutty professor and a friend of mine.We shot poorly and ended up with one goose,which is better than none.I really don't care much for hunting with shorts on and sweating but it is good to have a drill in case anything goes wrong.The water is still warm in case the boat sinks,haha.Well now everyone is caught up and this brings me to the topic at hand,my deep thought.











Let's leave that long winded paragraph behind and wrap our heads around this.Written on the bottom of a bunk on the tug I am on there are quite a few sayings.Really every tug has one bunk or galley table where everyone signs or writes something on.This particular bunk has been on the boat for quite a few years.To sum up the majority of the sayings it consists of an question that one person wrote.it was an open ended question-Why are you here?over the course of 20-25 years people have answered this question.Easy,obvious answers-money,running away from my wife,wife got pregnant,it was this or jail.Some people took the time to write detailed events of how they ended up on that particular tug.the bunk has run out of room to write on many years ago but it really got me thinking,why am I here.was it for the money,it certainly isn't because I'm running from jail I assure you.I couldn't answer that question in a sentence so I thought it over and never found a single concrete reason.The best I could come up with,the Navy wanted a contract?Seriously I still haven't found the answer but every night I lay in that bed and find a new response to the question,I continue to think about my own situation.So ask yourself,don't tell me it's your business,why are you where you are right now?What brought you there?

real quick

I'm aware I have been away from the computer literally all Summer and it doesn't thrill me either.What does thrill me is that it means I have been busy.Let's clear this up first.I have not abandoned this blog.I will write when I have the chance but think forced writing is worst writing.Where am I?Currently in the extreme lower Mississippi River working.What are you doing?Working one of the biggest dredge jobs ever in the United States.We are taking sand and mud from the lower Mississippi River out to see via dredge scow and dumping it near an off shore dredge.why?So the lovely people of this state can have there wildlife preserves,marshes and barrier islands protected by sand berms.Is this a coincidence or in direct relation to the bp/deep water horizon spill?Up for debate and I will not throw my answer in the ring until well after this job is done or we are allowed to speak freely about the subject matter.what else have you done all Summer?I bought a house and will be moving into it in the next few weeks when I get a break from work.This excites and scares me for the fact that I owe a bank a ton of money.so don't fret everyone.I have great pictures of the new house,the interesting life on a boat in the bayou and the few outdoor activities I have done this Summer.Don't forget duck and goose season is here!