First before starting I must note that 2 days ago my Swedish phrase of the day was Sommaren är här, which means the summer is here. How ironic given this morning’s snow.
I was hoping to equate my experience this far in the Barent’s Sea (North of the North sea off of Norway) to the TV show “Deadliest Catch”, however its only half been that way. On the supply boat that we took out last Tuesday it was rocking and rolling, big time. Then yesterday I went out on the work boat (think small motor boat) and I got sick. I have always prided myself on not getting sick, but this was bad. At one point I was sitting and trying to look at the ocean and I couldn’t focus, so my eyes kind of glazed over until I fell asleep. Then I managed to throw up twice. We left around 4am and got back at 9:30 am - those were 5 ½ very long hours. However, then I started to think, why? Because I had also felt a bit queasy on the supply vessel coming over. And there was one link – both days I had eaten an apple, not too long before feeling queasy.
Today around 6:30am the weather got calm enough to go out and I was put in the crew – 4 people usually go out. I was both excited (I hadn’t eaten an apple and wanted to test my theory) and horrified at the same time – what if it wasn’t the apple. So we donned our dry suits and off we went and it was great! No problems, no falling asleep, and beautiful sun.
Ah, and did I mention that it snowed this morning around 4 am while we were working on the back deck? Most of the days the temperature has been hovering around freezing, with the wind blowing and dropping the temperatures even further. And all we’ve been doing since getting on board is backdeck work, so I’ve been out side constantly. Luckily, I put on a lot of clothes under my coveralls.
And yes, it is not dark here. I am working the “night” shift from midnight to noon, but I have renamed it the midnight sun shift.
Ship of Opportunity
11 years ago
3 comments:
well, as far as I remember, apple and women are not really a good mix since the beginning... ;-)
it sounds quite fun up there though, how many degrees below zero?
Glad you figured out the apple fiasco. I've been watching Deadliest Catch, so I have an idea of the Bearing Sea. Pretty nuts! Hold on tight to the railing. :o)
I never get sea sick either, except for this one time, offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, on the edge of a thunderstorm... I think it's good to experience seasickness once because now I have empathy for others who get sea sick. Not sure that any apples were involved though...
Have fun way up there... it's 71 and sunny in nyc!! Visit me when you get back stateside. Also there was a cool festival in oslo on summer solstice when I was there once a long time ago, something to check out if you can make it.
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