An introduction to ship-life

My fifth day at sea starts early, 05:45, to take metrological readings from the bridge. As I clambered up the steep stairs, the lights of Vigo, Spain, are twinkling on the horizon. This will only be a quick call to drop off two engineers who’ve been equipment testing with us on the run from Immingham.

The ship is much more settled in these coast waters than the heavy sea we battled through yesterday. The Shackleton has an unusual motion through the water; she almost corkscrews along, pitching and rolling in unison, her bow smashing so deep into oncoming waves that green water fills the bar port-holes (Pic). But despite her best efforts, no-one’s been seasick yet.

Over the last few days we’ve been tidying up, taking inventories and generally getting on with tasks that wont be easy when the ship is full of people. Today, I’m on ‘Gash rota’, helping the chef, wiping tables and washing up. Just when I was starting to enjoy this holiday!