Day 8, Recapping (Cont'd)
Day 4, Galveston, TX - Pier 40Tomorrow we leave port, and it is a very hectic day. We need to make sure that we have all the spare parts to be ready for anything, as well as making sure we have everything we need to finish before the first shows.
The exciting thing for me, was setting up a camera on the NR-1. I've never been on a submarine before, and I know this one is getting decomissioned in a few years so this is a special event for me. I need to get pictures from Doc Mary, so keep checking the blog, and I'll have pictures from the inside of the sub. The NR-1 is a Navy Research vessel that has been around since 1969. It was built with three viewports under the bow for scientists and observers to watch what was in front of the sub. We have an HDV camera and tape machine pointing out of the viewport. We'll see how well this concept works, BUT it gave me a chance to get a tour of the NR-1.
The sub has a console to steer the ship that looks like the controls for the space shuttle. Lots of knobs and buttons, a steering wheel and two joysticks that control the two manipulators on board the sub. You can crawl underneath the drivers' chairs and there are the three viewports and a sleeping area.
There's a long hallway that runs the length of the sub. There's a galley, which consists of a 1 gallon water heater, a small airplane-type looking oven that cooks all of their food (which is mostly frozen diners). There's a small two seat bench that is where they can eat. There are two computers in that position, one is for watching movies and playing computer games, the other is for e-mail and other paperwork.
There are four bunks stacked on top of each other. There is only enough room for you to slide into the bunk. You need to decide before getting in, whether you're going to sleep on your front or back. There is another bunk, that folds out over the hallway, and that guy gets to sleep about 5 feet above the floor. Speaking of sleeping, the captain sleeps in a small area between the back of the drivers' chairs and wall behind the bridge of the sub.
There are 11 crew on board and two scientists. The scientists are swapped out every other day, IF there is good weather. If there isn't good weather.....well..... If you've been keeping count, there are 7 places to sleep and 13 people on board. They hot-bunk, which means when one crew is off duty they sleep, while the other shift is working. When they are done working, they swap positions. There is a camp still shower, that they get to use about every third day. And the toilet is just a hole into a container, with a little flap and some blue water. Eeeew! They say by the third day, nothing and no body smells good.
There is one room I couldn't see, that was the engine room. It's top secret. They're very nervous about their nucular reactor aboard. That's fine, I'm not interested in having guns pointed out at me or ending up in a brig.
posted by DaveandBrian @ 11:38 AM
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