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| Intoducing Ice Breaker - Vladymir |
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| The fuel tanker coming through the channel |
The ice breaker, a Russian boat that plows through the sea ice to break it apart, showed up about a week ago to do it's ice-breaking thing (much more impressive in imagination than actualization, is that the right word?). The ice around Ross Island, on which McMurdo Station is built, is getting thinner but it still needed some help to be able to make an access way for the two other ships needing to make their way here. Valadymir, the Russian ice breaking boat, quickly broke a channel to our McMurdo ice pier where the fuel tanker, Maersk Peary, was able then to park...no dock...or...whatever it is called and off load the 7,000,000 (approx) gallons of fuel. So much fuel!!! The tanker sat here for about a week getting pumped out and then went on its merry way. Vladymir is still here keeping the channel open for the next ship, The Green Wave, to make its way here with all the cargo for this next year. It would be interesting to see all of what is on that ship, but unfortunately I will leave here only days before that ship is scheduled to arrive.
The other day, Jean, a friend that works in the galley (the cafeteria), really wanted to go down to get a looksie aboard the Russian ice breaker. The thing is, they weren't exactly offering tours but she was still determined that she could get on the ship and look around (even though we might not be allowed by our station leaders or the Russians). The ice breaker was docked at the ice pier having a rest (I guess) at this time. Myself and Ted, a fellow shuttler, decided to join Jean in her venture. I, knowing a little Russian, could be useful to get aboard. Since we are all on night shift and were having a night off, we ventured down to the ice pier about 2am and walked across the ice pier and out to the ramp that you climb to get on the boat. Jean climbed the ramp to see if she could see anyone walking around. The ship was pretty much quiet; the crew probably sleeping. One guy did come out on deck and I called out to him in Russian, "Hello, we are interested in looking at your ship. Can we check it out?" He said something that wasn't a "no" so we all boarded the ship. I was a little nervous about the whole thing knowing we probably weren't supposed to even be out there but my curiosity and Jean's eagerness won out. The Russian deck hand lead us into the boat and we sat down in some sort of break room and then he went to get someone else who had more authority to ask about us being there. I, acting as communicator and translator was able, to somehow communicate our wishes, be granted permission and awarded a guided tour of the ship!
We were taken all around the inner-workings of the ship, through all the engine rooms, generators, oil storage areas, thrusters, and lots of other mechanical rooms that I had no clue as to what they were. It was like a maze in down there in bottom recesses of the ship with so many rooms filled with so many different components that all work together to make that ship do its job (mind boggling to the untrained eye). Our guides were trying to explain what things were but my Russian vocabulary comprehension is especially very limited in the technical ship jargon, not to mention just limited in general. The best part of the tour was sneaking through the sleeping quarters (so as to not wake the sleeping captain) up to the control tower, the best place on the boat, in my opinion. It is the place with the good view with the 360 degree windows and comfy seats. We snuck some pictures sitting in the captains seat, oh yeah!
After thanking the Russian crew members that let us check out the ship, we headed back "home." We all felt pretty cool and daring that we actually got on the ice breaker and got to look around when no one else would probably get to do that. Jean was especially stoked to have made it on. She was almost "high" in her excitement being such a curious adventurer who also loves ships and boats. I felt proud that I was able to communicate, although slightly self concious of my elementary Russian skills. But to Travis and Jean, I am no less than a fluent speaker. They were super impressed. If they only knew.....
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| You can see where the ice breaker has been. |
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| The ice pier where the ships dock |
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| Full speed ahead |
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Another shot of the tanker Maersk Peary
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