Engineroom Snipe

We all have a choice: Sail or not to sail. At least they did not cancel the cruise. Will it cost me more money? Yes. I have stressed flexibility and compromise. Time for me to walk the talk.

COOPMINE UNIT 2205. We were how can I say it delicately, "expendable". Most of the Navy did not know we existed at the time.

Understood. With a nine man crew on an 80 footer, we did not have the layers of a larger ship. We were a mine hunter and had a small crew to minimize losses should we be compromised. Either I or my "watch engineer" were the only ones tending four engines and two generators. Not arguing your point but understand that some of us did not have many resources to get the job done like larger ships. In many cases, the Craft Master had to directly pick up the bridge phone because everyone else was occupied with their duties.

If the bells rang in my engine booth, my Craft Master knew I would do everything possible to answer them. If there was an extreme emergency, I would only call the bridge and state what our status was after exhausting every solution that I knew. I agree that the Craft Master is thinking "big picture" and trusted me to do my duty. I was never in the situation like the one described in this scenario. We had a much smaller vessel which in itself can be challenging when operating in heavy seas. For hours, our raw water intakes, which provided cooling water to the heat exchangers for the engines, would suck air as we "surfed" over the crest of waves requiring a purging of air from lines to establish flow. It was everything you could do to not burn yourself with the movement. I never dared question my Craft Master why he was running at flank speed. He had a reason and trusted me to keep the propulsion going.

I absolutely agree with what you said but maybe winds and current were more forceful than a dragging anchor. The anchor was dragging and did not "catch" to create enough force to overcome momentum, wind, and current.

Which one of you jokers put the "For Sale" sign on my lawn? 🤣

Modifying my post to reflect @chengkp75 stating that port fees are normally for a fixed time period so that in this case, the additional time at dock would not be an issue which would increase a port fee.

While some cruisers avoid a Coco Cay itinerary, a huge amount will only go on a cruise that has it as one of their port stops. Coco Cay is a money machine for Royal and I, like yourself believe, if they can sneak a third ship in somehow, they would do it. The island would be packed and all of the cabanas and excursions would be at maximum price and sold out.

Asked my TA to pass on any information he gets, good or bad about our affected cruise. He is very good and only does cruises. Crickets as of now.

And create the terms for cancellation by passengers due to the changes (BIG IF) Might decide to give some FCC and OBC or give nothing at all. Corporate has to sing from the same page, distribute the information officially to all call centers, TAs, update webpages etc.

Unfortunately, there are many moving parts. Port fees are based on time at dock. The dock might need to be cleared for another ship. The harbormaster is normally reserved for a certain period of time and might be scheduled for another ship at a certain time. Many variables involved in the decision.

I do not think many of them would say the same words directly to you in an environment such as the Crown Lounge. But the anonymity of being behind a keyboard seems to make it happen more. I notice the people who try to have conversation here more than I do the "hit and runs".

Automatic time changes from smartphones connected to smart wrist device have been a known issue by cruisers. Still happens. I always take a shockproof old school watch with me and make sure it is on the time shown on the ship as you go through the gang-plank area. At that point, I do not care about the time on any cell phone or local display until I am back on ship. Missing the ship is one of my pet fears. Maybe that came from my military experience.

Like @jfio1021, I got tickets for under $20 per person so I will give it a try for the heated pool as @OCSC Mike mentioned. Other than that, I have always enjoyed the included no extra charge amenities on the island.

As I have stated, I hope I am wrong I have a vacation house so I will not be without shelter.

I have repetitively stated in so many words, "I hope I am wrong." My OPINION is that everyone is being overly optimistic Unless you have been directly involved with something like this, you are just speculating. Again, I hope I am wrong and have to eat crow. That would be good for everyone involved. Has anyone on this board ever been involved with doing anything underwater in such a complex situation to understand the total logistics necessary to make this happen under sixty days?

I wasted so many words lacking the proper quote you made. Precisely.

So few people understand your words which are stated well. The water flow is swift and difficult for divers. This is still a forensic scene until everything is analyzed and documented. So much has to be done. I feel your respect.

All of your undercurrents are understood. I hope you are right and I am wrong. That would be good for so many people.

@pghflyer. Are you sure, even paranoid people have real enemies (one of my favorite quotes)! Life is short and we are all doing our best. Carry on. 😁

You and I have had respectful discussions without animosity or vitriol. I understand your discussion that their is "power and resources" trying to get the harbor open. My OPINION is that the resources are limited despite how much power is brought to bear. The clock is ticking. Our debate will end on June 1st, 2024. The harbor will be clear and I will have to eat crow. This would not be the first time I am wrong. Now try and get @chengkp75 to agree with your opinion.

I stated in another post that waiting is the hardest part. Just let us know so we can adjust whatever plans we made. The stress comes from dealing with unknowns that we have no control over.

Do you know your lifeboat was probably provided by the lowest bidder? Be afraid, be very afraid! I am a very positive person. I want my cruise to succeed and I want your cruise to succeed. I keep saying that this incident was an extraordinary event and it is just going to take time to fix and repair. I wish I could wave a magic wand and fix everything in 60 days but I also have to deal in the reality of the situation, not just what "I want to happen."

What, to ruin my vacation? I am not that important! 🤣

I stated my case and I hope I am proven wrong. This is not I95 in Philadelphia on land that only had to be filled in and paved until a long term solution is found. Again, I hope I am wrong but after 47 years of working. No matter how fast I want to build a house, the foundation must be laid before any framing happens. The roof can only be put on after the framing. The plumbing and electrical can only be done at certain times. There are only so many special cranes to pull the metal out of the water. Divers need time to cut steel and attach the cranes to pull out the steel. Think of all of the steps involved and it can be done under 78 days?