In tow from Nantucket 1981

Comment

Comment by Jason Bland on November 30, 2008 at 1:27am

Hey Jon,

Thanks for the story!

Sorry for the delay, just got off the LNGC Northwest Swan, rode her down from Japan to our loading terminal in Karratha, Western Australia, had to finish up the docking specification for the summer. The only membrane in our fleet, GTT No. 96 containment system, 2004 Korean (DSME) new build, so a gorgeous ship. I joined her in Osaka, where I had signed off my last LNGC the LNG LEO 15 years earlier as deck/engine cadet, so was a bit strange retracing my steps all those years later and in a very much different capacity. ETC was a great company. When I was a cadet there I had asked about you, some how knowing you were sailing there as a past TB XO. I work with a number of X ETC'ers at Chevron now, John Ballenger (ex cargo engineer on the Leo when I was there) Marta Kongstad, Ken Sheets, Jon Hartono, ete small industry as you know.

I still like the Moss ships, so robust, these membranes are a bit delicate, but we have not had any problems, as long as someone does not drop a staging plank in the yard! The GTT MkIII's have been having been getting a lot of press due to secondary membrane leaks across the glued triplex joint, N2 issues not LNG, also recently GTT just revised the heel loading limits due to sloshing loads that has a lot of owners up in arms. Anyway, new builds are tapering off now, but Owners are dying for people across BP, BG, Shell, Chevron etc, very hard to get gas endorsed steam engineers out there, these guys at making top $$$ too, so something to consider, I assume you still in the MEBA??

I was in the gas anchorage in Singapore the other month an a Qgas Q-Flex 215,000m3 was next to us, big sucker! Twin 7S60MM-C's if I remember correctly, and onboard reliquifcation.

So anyway, that is LNG industry news I guess.

Would be good to catch up over a few beers some time.

I have enjoyed all your pictures, I remember Cap Glaeser as a freshman before he retired, so it was interesting to see the older pics and stuff. I sailed exclusively under Cap Geil and have had the time of my life on that ship, even working part of a winter after KP before sailing with ARCO.

Best Regards,

Jason Bland

Comment by Jonathan Lincoln on November 17, 2008 at 8:39pm

Hi Jason,

Sorry for the slow answer. I just got home off the MV ST. LOUIS EXPRESS where I serve as First Engineer.

Let's see, this was during the August '81 Sea Ranger program. My second summer as a Sea Ranger and about to enter Tabor in the fall. We were tied up at the dock in Nantucket. Early in the morning T.Wardly came into the focs'l around 0500 to get something out of the forepeak. I heard all kinds of commotion coming from the dining salon, and got up to see what was happening. First thing I noticed was a lot of drag.
As it turned out, the engine room flooded! What let go I can’t remember. Cap Glaeser got the tug Jaguar from New Bedford to tow us to Kelley’s. Two of Kelley’s mechanics flew over to ride with us and start disassembly the engine to dry it out. Also had to lock the shaft, tie the shaft, to prevent any turning of the gear box. And we manned the helm during the long tow back.

What’s news in the LNG industry? I served aboard the LNG AQUARIUS from 1990 to 2000 when she was re-flagged. Served in the capacities from Third Engineer to First Engineer. Enjoyed that job, fun cargo!

Regards,
Jonathan Lincoln

Comment by Jason Bland on October 4, 2008 at 1:38am

Jon,

I would be curious about the story behind this picture?

Jason