News From Fort Schuyler

December 29, 2008 - Volume 8, No. 45

CHRISTMAS AT SEA - In the world of international merchant shipping, some sailors' "rotation off" coincide with the holiday seasons and thus they are fortunate to enjoy the holidays at home. For other mariners who must spend the holidays away from loved ones the Spirit of Christmas is often found in varying degrees.

On this 24th of December with the monsoon season over, we were enjoying relatively cool weather of India...93 today; and for the past several voyages through the Persian Gulf, Straits of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, calm seas. Our ship was docked starboard side_to in the port of Nhava Sheva, India. The sun baked our skin and the tangible stillness of the air could be felt. Pakistan, our last port just a few days ago has faded into the past. Its cargo already on the supply lines heading northward.

The vessel having just completed cargo loading, was bound for Salalah, Oman; route of ancient Arabian traders carrying frankincense, myrrh, pearls and rugs to distant trading ports along the Arabian Sea. Sailors were preparing the vessel for sea, closing hatches, readying the anchors for departure. On the bridge, setting out navigation charts and laying out the voyage plan. The ship's gangway log was checked to be certain all sailors made it safely back from liberty in Bombay_Mumbai. The hum of the Sulzer engine could be felt underfoot as the engineers geared up for another run.

Pilot time was scheduled for 1300 hours. Customs and Immigration Officials had concluded ship's business and departed the vessel. As the "gang" removed the cargo netting hanging under the gangway, (the netting catches dropped packages and on occasion a person or two returning from liberty) a large, white Port of Nhava Sheva transport bus pulled up to the gangway and out appears a Christmas bon voyage treat to be sure.

Christmas carolers, clad in Santa caps, glitter and playing their guitars came aboard the vessel singing ever so merrily. Up, up the gangway they came, all in tune with a gleam in their eye. Through the passage way they did go singing Joy to the World and Silent Night. The music so lovely and bright was piped to the bridge and engine room folks through handheld radios for all to hear. Up, up the ladder ways they did roam, to the mess deck for all to see strumming the guitars as they came and singing "Deck the Halls."

The ship's whistle extolled its proclamation of depart we must, for onward we go. Up. Up the gangway the Pilot did come and our benevolent singing group did go. "Last Line" was called and as the tugs' smoke filled the air we were outbound for Christmas at Sea.

Signed, A Merchant Mariner, anonymous.

[NFFS Editor -The preceding was a recent e-mail, received from a SUNY Maritime College graduate, an officer on a container ship in Middle East service, which segues into this nautical take on Clement C. Moore's poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.]

FAMILY TIES REDUX - As noted recently, SUNY Maritime College has a long history and many children and relatives of graduates have themselves attended the college. The suggestion of updating and expanding the family ties issue, last published ten-years ago, met with a positive response. ALAN ROWEN '65, wrote "This would be a nice idea. I can give you a list of four Rowens and I can go after two or three other families, but maybe you should call for input in several consecutive issues and then publish the whole list when it starts looking complete." [Submissions are welcomed so we can get the project under way.]

WELCOME ABOARD - New subscribers to NFFS include: ERNEST HEGI '63 - ROBERT KENNEY '92 - RYAN PETERKIN '02 - GREGORY THOMPSON '99 -

NO ISSUE NEXT WEEK - We are going to Georgia to celebrate the New Year with family. Best wishes for the new year to all.