Maine Diaries: Doldrums
Each spring students from
Maine Maritime Academy
set sail on their training ship the State of Maine
for a two-month cruise. One student, Paul Kemp*, has
agreed to share his experience.
May 22-Today was a day of rest aboard the TS. Most of us spent the day lounging, shooting guns, and receiving third degree burns. One person felt obligated to sunburn his own name into his back using tape. Hilarious and entertaining, and demonstrating how very bored we are.
It was also a good chance to finally sit and enjoy the deep blue colors that one only experiences when miles from shore. That, and to try to catch a tuna. We rigged a line over the stern with a fishhook on the end that would have made Ishmael proud.
So on this day, that celebrates the Merchant Marine Service, I lay on the fantail soaking up the sun as shot guns blasted away on the foredeck. And my fellow shipmates experienced the sheer joy of blanking hundreds of rounds into small unsuspecting clay disks while smoke billowed from the upper decks of our American built ship. Fire arms, diesel engines, and rampant boredom...all of which has resulted in excessive stupidity and motivation to rig the line to catch a tuna. God help us all.
Previous posts:
May 5
May 7
May 9
May 10
May 12
May 13
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 21
*Paul Kemp is a pseudonym. The student has asked that his name be withheld out of respect for those with whom he is sailing.
May 22-Today was a day of rest aboard the TS. Most of us spent the day lounging, shooting guns, and receiving third degree burns. One person felt obligated to sunburn his own name into his back using tape. Hilarious and entertaining, and demonstrating how very bored we are.
It was also a good chance to finally sit and enjoy the deep blue colors that one only experiences when miles from shore. That, and to try to catch a tuna. We rigged a line over the stern with a fishhook on the end that would have made Ishmael proud.
So on this day, that celebrates the Merchant Marine Service, I lay on the fantail soaking up the sun as shot guns blasted away on the foredeck. And my fellow shipmates experienced the sheer joy of blanking hundreds of rounds into small unsuspecting clay disks while smoke billowed from the upper decks of our American built ship. Fire arms, diesel engines, and rampant boredom...all of which has resulted in excessive stupidity and motivation to rig the line to catch a tuna. God help us all.
Previous posts:
May 5
May 7
May 9
May 10
May 12
May 13
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 21
*Paul Kemp is a pseudonym. The student has asked that his name be withheld out of respect for those with whom he is sailing.
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