PROMPT | WILD WEATHER |
The Wild Oceans.
What just happened?
A sea-going reminiscence, inspired by a prompt from Chantelle Atkins.
There is only one thing worse than being in a storm on a ship in the middle of the ocean. That’s being in a storm on a ship in the middle of the ocean, knowing that you were responsible for loading the ship. That means the stowage and securing of the cargo to ensure that the ship has sufficient stability to stay upright through the voyage.
Detailed calculation is involved to achieve a metacentric height that gives sufficient resistance to rolling or pitching in rough seas.
The knowledge that everyone’s safety relies on you being able to count has to be felt to be truly understood. Especially when you encounter rough weather.
A 200-metre-long ship seems like it’s too big to roll and pitch, don’t you believe it.
In my seagoing career, I’ve encountered some rough weather, hurricanes and regular storms, as well as the normal sea conditions that prevail in some parts of the world.
It can be the same as going on the wildest roller-coaster you’ve ever encountered, except that you didn’t have to pay and you weren’t strapped in. And there’s the fact that the ride could last several days.
