It’s been 33 days, 4 hours and 54 minutes since I’ve been onboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer in Punta Arenas, Chile. I built a little mission-elapsed-time because that’s one way space missions kept track of time. And it’s a way to keep track of which expedition day it is for my journal. It’s also helpful because we work 7 days a week so I’ve lost the usual pattern of a work week. During this time, we’ve not left the vicinity of the dock. In fact, because of Covid, we’ve only been let onto the dock a few times.
Life on board has been interesting. It’s challenging to put into words. In some ways, I feel like I’m a space station. I don’t go outside much, as it’s either windy and cold, loud with ship generators running all around, and depending on the wind direction, the wind can blow the exhaust across our decks.
The noise is constant – air circulation, the vacuum toilets, the generators, computer fans, it all makes noise. I am very happy to have noise canceling headphones but it still is a lot and unrelenting. I sleep with earplugs in every night and often have them in during much of the work day.
I exercise every morning and it’s good to be in that routine. Running on the treadmill (my head is about 1 inch below the ceiling during my stride), row on the rowing machine, and jump rope on the forward deck when it’s nice outside.
Generally, I feel cut off from the natural world. I am surrounded by the steel of the ship, the concrete of the pier, and cold water. The pier sticks out a good distance from the industrial shore, so it feels far from land, trees and the like. Thankfully we have some seagulls and cormorants that hang around the area.
I have a room to myself (for now) which has been great. It’s got a bathroom, a bunkbed a tiny desk, chair and little portlight window (it’s only a porthole if it opens).
The work has been alright. I have been reminded how much I appreciate independent work. But currently, I’m not quite competent enough to be totally independent. I know that will come over time, that I’ve got to pay my dues and learn all I can, but I’m eager for a time when I know my job and I can do it independently. It’ll take some time though, as there is a huge number of sensors and systems, all with their specific calibrations, and all. Space station like, though unlike at NASA where astronauts get tons of training on all, or at least most, of the equipment they will work on, I’m learning on the fly, little by little, I’m getting there. And I don’t have the fun of being weightless either. And the views outside never really change much.
Over the last few days, we moved the ship twice. As an electronics tech, I have nothing to do with the actual movement of the ship, but it was relatively exciting to go on deck and see the ship move. The feel of the ship moving was new, I watched the line handlers do their things, listened to the coordination of captain and mates over the radio. Stimulating after 30 days of not moving at all.
I’ve never enjoyed being at anchor or on a dock for long periods of time. It has been good in that I slowly learn the systems, but I still have a ton to learn. Once we are underway in Antarctic waters, my partner and I will move to 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week. I will be on the midnight to noon shift and will have to do my best to solve any problems that might come up concerning any of the electronics systems.
I’m still glad I’m here. I’m with a great group of 10 support workers. We play card games and watch movies together and had a fun Halloween party. I really hope we don’t have any more delays but a flight instructor told me last year, “With no expectations comes inner peace.” Thank you, Doug! The deprivations sometimes feels like an interesting psychology experiment. When I have independent work to do, I love it. I remind myself of working in the aircraft hangar during college summers. At first all I could do was clean the floors and organize the racks of hardware. But by the end, I had my hands in jet engines. Patience. This is long-game material.
The food has been relatively good, and one of the cooks is one of my favorites on board. The Filipino working crew of sailors (they do the painting and scraping) are also awesome. They love their jobs and get to operate the winches and cranes when not painting and the like. They all seem happy for the most part.
That’s all for now. Life on the dock. Getting our brains poked for Covid for the 5th and 6th times in the next few days. The scientists join the ship soon (if no one tests positive) from their quarantine in Punta Arenas. It’ll be interesting to have an influx of academics.
Please take note of the trees and birds and quite places for me!
“This is long-game material” – love this phrase. Thanks for sharing, Benny! Recognizing the struggle and the wonder of being in the place you are.