Chapter 5: Tiger

Picked up Howard, aka “Tiger” at the appointed spot by the taxi stand outside baggage claim. A tall, atheletic man, Tiger wore his long black hair in a tightly pulled back pony tail. A full black beard and ferocious mustache adorned his beak nosed hawk like visage.

“I suppose you will demand I cut my hair?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Wouldn’t do you any good, I’d refuse.”

“Have you ever done any towing?”

“Not yet, but I’m anxious to learn. Crewboats and liftboats are my expertise. Engineering is a major part of a lift boat’s captain’s job. We don’t carry an engineer. Mostly, we are a hotel, jacked up next to an oil platform. Two hands to clean, make beds, and do maintenance, a cook, and a captain who doubles as the engineer.”

“Liftboats scare me. They have a reputation of flipping over.”

“They only flip when they try to freefall in a storm.”

“Please explain.”

“If you don’t jack down before a gale hits, you can be in serious trouble. When it’s too rough to remain jacked up, it’s already far to dangerous to jack down. The only option is simultaneously release all the leg latches, and freefall onto a wave crest. If one leg hangs up or drags to slow, you flip over.”

“So what do you do to reduce the risk?”

“Pay close attention to weather reports, jack down early at the least suspicion it will get overly rough.”

“Doesn’t your client object to you being overly cautious?”

“Oh, yes! They threaten and rant and attempt to pressure the captain to stay jacked up. I’m in command and responsible, and I tell them to get fucked. Not in those exact words, though.”

We laugh at the real message behind diplomacy. Getting people to accept being politely told to fuck off. Captain level skills in managing customer relations and public relations. Tiger and I will get along just fine, I think. We are very similar in many ways. Both of us fought in Vietnam, but were in different service branches. Tiger in the Army, me in the Navy. Different years, too. I went earlier and I’m older than Tiger by several years. He’s taller, I’m stockier. We both wear beards. His wild and long, mine neatly trimmed.

“As a captain-engineer, what daily routine do you follow in the engine room?”

“Check coolant level, temperature, oil pressure and oil level in running genset. Swap generators ever four days. Service the offline generator promptly so it’s ready to go if the other one drops the load. Chane fuel filters, top up daytank, polish fuel. Grease the latching mechanisms on the legs. I nspect the teeth on the legs for wear or fractures. Check the batteries and chargers. Back flush the water maker when it needs it. Monitor water consumption. Monitor the freezer units on the walk-in chill box and freezer room. Inspect the bus board for char or soot on circuit breakers. General look around inspection to be sure there is no material capable of spontaneous combustion. Wipe up oily residues around engines so slip hazards are avoided. Detroits are dirty engines, and leak oil and fuel. About two hours work a day suffices unless repairs are necessary.”