Moving again

It’s a big day for all of us on the tug. After sitting at anchor for what seems like forever, we got underway today for Guayanilla, PR.
The change in attitude of the crew was instantaneous and very evident upon hearing the news that we were actually going to go somewhere. Everyone was a bit more chipper. The smiles emerged again. You would have thought we were making a Trans Atlantic crossing or sailing South beyond the equator, instead of preparing for a trip that would take about 6 hours from beginning to end.
It really is a study in human nature. The crew on this boat spent the last 3 years running from port to port nonstop, it was a very busy boat. And then, all of a sudden we stop, and anchor, looking at the same coast line for weeks on end. It’s just unnatural to stay in one place for more than a day.
Working onboard an active tug boat is unique in that, every day brings something new. The work we do one day differs greatly from the work we do the next. The absence of routine might subconsciously be one of the appealing aspects of working at sea. And when that all changes and we find our days very routine, while at anchor, I have witnessed the atmosphere on the boat slowly deteriorate. It’s very odd.
The simple act of starting the engines, putting the barge on the tow wire and heading out to sea, if only for a few hours, is like a shot of adrenalin to the crew. I was taking pictures today like it was my first trip.
Now, we are anchored again, waiting on new orders. The good news is, tomorrow we’ll have different scenery to look at as we slip back into a routine once more.
Hey, maybe the fishing will be better here.