Naut's Thoughts

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Friday, February 22, 2013

At Sea...Part XXXI

When I called my friend Dr. A. that night, he laughed. “Sure, he’s pleased,” he said. “You’re helping him spend his budget!” I knew all about a civil servant’s need to get rid of all the funds in the budget – if it’s not spent, you’re facing a cut... But none of that was really my concern... I had... Sign in to see full entry.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

At Sea...Part XXX

A News Item: HALIFAX - Two coast guard vessels and a rescue helicopter searched late Monday for the crew of a fishing boat that went missing off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia in 10-metre seas lashed by hurricane-force winds. The 13-metre boat, based in Woods Harbour, N.S., had a crew of five on... Sign in to see full entry.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

At Sea...Part XXIX

After a couple of weeks, that too came to an end. And one day, as we were steaming back to Halifax with full holds, Ken said to me, “We are going home...” Strange as it may appear to some, it came as a bit of a shock. I was enjoying myself; in spite of the work, or maybe because of it, I had the... Sign in to see full entry.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

At Sea...Part XXVIII

Then, looking up from my work, I saw one of the men walk by me and bend down, and my heart skipped a beat... Even before he came up, I realized that what he had picked up from the deck was a small bird. I knew the crew enjoyed livening up their diet by catching fish. On calm days there were often... Sign in to see full entry.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

At Sea...Part XXVII

One thing I know, and strange as it may seem – I was not in the least afraid or even concerned! Thinking back and trying to capture at least an echo of my thoughts and feelings at the time, I can best describe it as a kind of excitement, an almost visceral openness to the entirety of the sights and... Sign in to see full entry.

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Sunday, February 17, 2013

At Sea...Part XXVI

First, once more a quick answer, this one for TAPS, who writes: “I hope you had a harness on that was fastened to something solid so that you couldn't get washed overboard.” Here’s my answer: Thanks for your concern, TAPS, LOL, but it’s impossible to wear a harness on board a fishing vessel - you... Sign in to see full entry.

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Saturday, February 16, 2013

At Sea...Part XXV

First, an answer to a question by CCT, who wrote, “Hm, more to it than one would imagine, Naut. I don't know which would be harder to handle a loaded or empty vessel.” Here’s my answer: An interesting question, CCT. Ships are designed to operate under a wide range of conditions, empty or loaded, and... Sign in to see full entry.

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Friday, February 15, 2013

At Sea...Part XXIV

But on Hakuwan, being neither a sailboat nor a large ship, the experience was a different one again... Unlike with other fishing methods, jigging for squid is done best when the ship is virtually stationary or moving slowly; in heavy seas, that necessity creates particular challenges that I can only... Sign in to see full entry.

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

At Sea...Part XXIII

As summer slipped into autumn, the shorter days came with harshness in the air. It had been remarkably calm and pleasant throughout July and August, when there was only the occasional brief stretch stronger winds and intermittent rain. But that was about to change... Squid probably don’t know about... Sign in to see full entry.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

At Sea...Part XXII

He was almost constantly in touch with other Japanese vessels in the area, and what most impressed me was the way he conducted two conversations simultaneously! While he was speaking to one of his counterparts, he was communicating by Morse code with another one! We talked about that, and he told me... Sign in to see full entry.

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