After far too long enjoying myself, it was finally back to work, and my first introduction to the commercial world of shipping in the North Sea. So no prospects of seeing penguins and albatrosses for the next month, but plenty of oil and gas rigs in their place.
I joined the ship in Kristiansund Norway, and had the bonus of a night in a hotel prior to joining the ship. Kristiansund was a lovely little place, and very picturesque, however I completely forgot to take any pictures. So I'm afraid you are stuck with the at sea pictures, and not a single pretty Fjord in sight.
The first 10 days of the trip were spent with a group of Norwegians who were sent out to use the ship to collect mud samples for shell. It was a nice gentle start to the trip, which was just as well when we were getting within 50metres or so of platforms like the one shown below.
This beautiful picture is of the Draugen Plaform. As you see it only has one leg, but manages perfectly well, and seemed happy enough.
After completing the work for the Norwegians we headed into a small town called Floro to demobilise all their equipment. Floro was also a very picturesque place, with a stunning run in through the Fjords. But you've guessed it, not a single picture there either, so you get to see the DP desk.
The DP or Dynamic Positioning desk is where we do most of our driving from while we are doing work in the north sea. DP is a clever computer system that uses all the ships thrusters, propeller and rudder and puts it all together to keep the vessel either stationary, or moving in exact directions and speeds. It also has the capability to track under water beacons, which lets the ship follow ROV's. It was this function that we have been using for the second half of the trip.
So from picturesque Norway we headed back across the North Sea to Aberdeen, where we were to mobilise the next cruise. This time we traded the mud sampling gear for 2 all singing ROV's and all the associated gear that we were to need for the upcoming work. This time the work was to be pipe line surveys, and inspecting oil rigs and FPSO's (I'll explain what that is in a minute).
So with all the kit onboard we headed north east, which brings me to our current position which is pretty much in the middle of the north sea between Orkney and Norway. We have been here for about a week, working around the Gryphon Oil Field, doing a range of survey work with the clever little mini subs.
Gryphon is an FPSO, or Floating Production and Storage unit. Effectively it does the same job as an oil rig, but is a large ship, as you can see from the picture.
The work has been really interesting and I am finally getting used to taking the vessel to within 20metres of a big ship and not been scared any more. Although I don't think I'll try it when I'm on a normal watch deep sea!
The next picture shows me part way through a hectic 12 hour watch.
The next photo is courtesy of a helicopter pilot, and shows just how small a ship the Ernest Shackleton is compared to the some what bigger Gryphon.
An ariel view will also be the last sight I will have of the ship for this trip, as we are due to do an at sea crew change by helicopter on Monday. Fingers crossed everything goes well, and I will be back in sunny Spain by Tuesday evening.
Hi Jo, the usual very interesting blog - many thanks. Standards must have slipped in the Merchant Navy - feet on the desk and civvy clothes!
I have just been speaking with an old friend here who is off to the Antarctic in December repairing buildings and museums. He is working hard getting fit and has a practice session on an old nissan hut in North Wales later this summer. If you come across Joe Leavy from near Brecon, buy him a pint on me.
Lots of love Peter (and Tot)