Well, this is it. My last day afloat. In an hour we will put in to Dutch Harbor and tomorrow just after noon, I start my trip home. I’m not going to lie…I can’t wait to see my wife and daughters, eat food that I make myself, drive a car, and walk on a surface that is not moving:)
But I will miss life afloat, the people I have met, my mentors, the scientists and crew. And what a load of memories I take away!
The experience has been AMAZING. I have lived and worked aboard two very different vessels for nearly six weeks, I have expereinced work-life in a shop setting as well, I have loaded and unloaded ships, programmed computers, swung loads aboard in high seas, seen polar bears, whales, seals, wlaruses, and dolphins, fixed electronics, travelled farther north than most people will ever dream of, and made some lasting relationships with great people. I am humbled by the opportunity I was given by the people at MATE and honestly can’t wait to get back to school and brag about the experience:)
I am hopeful that next year by this time I will be working as an ROV Technician, back on the water, doing the job I have been trained for. If I am employed quickly, as I plan to be, I have no doubt it will be in large part due to this internship.
Well, I should go pack. The ship is slowing in the narrows and we have to clean our rooms and get ready to disembark. Hears wishing you all fair winds and safe travels and thank you very much to the folks at MATE!