I have participated in some special projects related to the maritime industry over the years. Some were complicated, some were hard work, some were intellectual in nature, and some took place over years. These projects were personally satisfying to me, and I would like to share some of them with you.
ROV Build:
Remotely operated vehicles are underwater robots controlled and sometimes powered through a neutrally buoyant tether. I built one on my own time and with my own money. It was a great learning experience.
Benthic Grab:
Designing and then constructing a device that can grab bottom samples and safely bring them to the surface might seem easy. The plan was simple enough too, but getting the physical mechanics of it to work smoothly every time was a challenge.
SSS Morris Refit:
Helping to refit a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter was job that took several years. The last refit was in 1945, and ours was completed in 2007. The vessel was completely gutted to a bare hull and deck house. Everything in it was new. Running all of those pipes, wires, and hydraulic lines was a real chore. I can't tell you how many unexpected hydraulic fluid showers I took when those lines blew and how many work clothes that were ruined. I even rebuilt one of the engine transmissions.
Teaching:
I obtained a teaching credential in order to teach a course I named Maritime Technology. The outline was approved by the state board of education. I wrote the course material, the tests, the rubrics, the teachers syllabus, and I taught the class.
Masters License Course:
I compiled a course to aid adults in their quest to obtain their own masters license. I taught the course as well. I even worked with the Coast Guard to help license some of my students.
Articles:
I currently write technical maritime articles. Some are published in trade journals and some are posted online.
Long Cruise Planning:
I've planned and participated long training cruises. I've led some of those cruises too. Some were single vessel voyages, and some were convoys.
Panel Participant:
Training future professional mariners is extremely important.
Conventions:
I'm a believer in attending maritime related conventions.
Scientific Cruise Planning:
MSI research voyage planning and captaining.
Co-wrote Sea Shanty:
I co-wrote a modern day sea shanty song about Admiral Nelson's life and death.
Logbooks:
I compiled ship logs to comply with U.S. Coast Guard regulations. I also trained senior deck hands and documented that training within those logbooks.
Painting:
Yes, I've painted ships before. I have used various types of marine coatings on decks, inside tanks, anti-fouling hull paints, two part epoxy marine coatings, etc. That's not what I meant though. I meant that I paint ships on canvas as in art. Most of my ship paintings were were in watercolors and used to decorate the front covers of the many logbooks I compiled. I have also painted ships with acrylics on canvas.
