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Fire drill
December 31st - Day 33
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13.00 hours, the ship's fire alarm starts to ring. The radio officer joins the captain on the bridge. The chief engineer heads to the engine room. The rest of us join Waldemar (first mate) at the muster station out on the port side deck.
Wait, outside? With 45 knot winds and frothy 14 foot waves washing over the deck? Yep, because if it was a real fire this is where we would go.
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The ship is rocking, but as the captain had manoeuvred the ship to protect the muster area, not dangerously. Still, we all stay away from the railing while Waldemar goes through the role call. All are present and accounted for.
Fortunately, it's just a drill - really a chance to discuss various fire scenarios, and gear usage. No need for the fire teams to ready their hoses today, or for Jesse and Vincent to put on the BA (breathing apparatus) gear and search a smoky ship for missing crewmates. The radio operator doesn't transmit a distress signal to the rest of the maritime world.
Fire on a ship is serious business, especially in the Antarctic. If your house catches fire you can always run outside. But if your ship catches fire in the Antarctic, you have nowhere to go except the life rafts.
So, after the drill (our second one this trip), the crew gathers in the mess, and listens to Waldemar go over fire prevention tips. Things like keeping the paint in the paint locker, unplugging power tools when they aren't in use and cleaning the lint filter on the dryer before every load (you'd be surprised how many household fires start in the laundry room).
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Vincent (third mate) spends much of the rest of the day testing fire alarms, smoke and heat detectors.
For the rest of us, with the fire drill done, and safety lecture dutifully listened to, it's time to start thinking about celebrating the New Year.
Want help the crew put an end to whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary?
Join the Global Whale Action Team to receive updates and alerts about how you can pitch in.
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