Mids at Sea

JMC0759

S-USMMA '12 SUNY 15, D-USAFA '15 TTUHSC '20
10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Jan 11, 2008
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Wife and I are a little worried about DS (2012A) who is on a tanker headed into the Med for Israel. Any other parents have a Mid in the Middle East?
 
If you are tracking your mid’s ship on one of the tracking programs on the internet do not get upset when the ship disappears for a couple of days around the Suez Canal. They seem to stop reporting for a while. Both trips our son made over there were a little tense until the ship would appear somewhere on the other side.
 
ds

I am with you in the parent worry boat. DS is on a tanker also going thru the med sea to malaysia. He said that they have altered their stops just a little and they are quick at their ports. He also reminded me that other mids have sailed in dangerous times and mentioned the 142. Sometimes it is hard to remember that he is 20 yrs. old. He is doing and seeing so much and he does make us proud. :smile:
 
Times sure have changed. I remember when I made my first six Cadet trips that there was no vessel tracking. The only calls home were from the Seaman's Clubs or other places with international calling. Schedules often changed anyway; port added or subtracted. It wasn't much better for the first few years after I got out, either, even up to when I came ashore in '88. I don't know if having daily, often continuous contact is better or not. Often family at home didn't know where I was for weeks or more at a time.

Now, even when I go offshore for a few days, I have steady email and phone contact. It seems strange to me. I actually like the disconnection with shoreside life. I seem to recall that John D. McDonald would sail as a passenger on cargo ships to write his novels. Not a bad idea. Most of the passengers that we had on our ships back then were like that. Very interesting people that wanted to really "get away".

As a parent, I can see how it can be difficult, but I also know that my kids, as young adults, also need to feel that they are living their own lives. Very few things give that feeling more than being at sea and in distant lands.

I am not editorializing as much as I am just thinking out loud, so to write.
 
Proudmomcolorado,

In the days of the "142" you knew who the enemy was. It's a lot more difficult now to figure out who the bad guys are.
 
I hesitated to post here and I'm nervous enough that I won't say what ship or where. But DS is headed in that general direction. I'm just hopeful I won't be completely gray by the time he finishes this sea term. What helps me is that he loves what he's doing. It's a good ship, great crew. A couple of years before he applied to KP, he made the comment that he really didn't want a job like DH (college professor/software engineer) or I (lawyer) have - he didn't want to be at a desk 9-5. Well, he's not.:thumb:

I love the tracking sites. However, you do have to use them with the understanding that you need both a transponder and a receiver. If the transponder is turned off, you won't see the ship (DS was on a MSC ship last year and they do not normally use the transponders). If the ship is out of range of a receiver, you won't see the ship. Remain calm, all is well....
 
Yes we have a ds on an full LNG who is headed for India through the Med, the Red, the Suez, Gulf of Aiden and Arabian Sea. I do look at the live piracy reporting maps. Keeps me humble and in prayer. Rest assured your ds/dd ships are in my prayers too.
 
Yes we have a ds on an full LNG who is headed for India through the Med, the Red, the Suez, Gulf of Aiden and Arabian Sea. I do look at the live piracy reporting maps. Keeps me humble and in prayer. Rest assured your ds/dd ships are in my prayers too.
PM coming your way....
 
Our DS just got back and I was very worried. However at no point was DS worried about his safety. DS stated that the complaines want to keep the ships safe and would not take any risks. Knowing that helped keep me calm(ish)
 
Security Teams

Our DS just returned as well and came through the Suez when the unrest was at its high point. My understanding is that most ships use security teams when they are in dangerous waters, at least US flagged ships. My DS had a 15-man security team come aboard from SriLanka to Greece. All were ex-special forces and were well armed. Ask your DS/DD if this is going to be the case with their ship and it might reduce the worry factor.
 
KPMom2013 what type of ship was your son on? Container, RO/RO, bulk carrier, cargo, tanker? I've heard if there is oil or gas, security teams aren't used. But that could be wrong info or old. Our ds is not mentioning where he is on his personal messages to us though we know his route.
 
It was a RORO, but I understand the new standard is for most US ships of all types to take on security in questionable waters. Someone in the industry please correct me if I am mistaken.
 
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