Tug Boat Life

Life on the Tioga has been a little slow this shift, It seems as though the shippers are using smaller ships and combining cargo loads, to save on fuel cost. We have seen a up turn in shipping though we're doing 12 to 16 more ships a month now. The weather has been crazy this spring it seems as though winter is going to hang on as long as possible.

Life on the tug Tioga is great. We have a great crew and I crew change so as to spend 1 week with 1 crew and 1 week with the other crew. Thus completing my 2 weeks on shift. We are doing a lot of running back and forth to Seattle as we have lost 1 tug to Oakland, and tug is down for maintenance. So being short a couple of tugs makes for a lot of traveling. I have been busy with inspections and some small repair jobs. How ever all in all the girl runs great. I'll try to keep up on my blog as I get more firmiliar with the system.

Well its been a great time off, I got lots of things done around home. The garden is looking good and the veggies are growing, I even sampled some of the raddishes there great. I was able to put some time together and go camping and get a load of fire wood for the upcoming winter. A good time was had by all, Devin, and Austen got there a little late but still had a good time befor bed. We cooked hot dogs over a open fire and had some marshmellows as well. On Saturday Devin and I went up and got a load of wood on Johnson creek. We then played horse shoes and Devin beat me bad. Well as all good things end I'm back on the Tioga for a shift.

February 09

Its Feb and I'm back on shift on the Tioga. The year is moving along faster it seems or I'm just so busy it seems that way. Were still waiting for a dry dock so we can get our propellors straightened. After all the deprise in the water did a fair amount of damage. Other than that the boat is in good shape. We have a cook from Mazitland, Mexico and he is really a nice ship mate he also makes some great tasty meals. The rest of the crew are the same old guys.

January 09

Its a new year and lets hope its a good one. Its also winter and the weather shows it. January sharted out with a splash, it rained for 3 days and several roads were closed along with tath several rivers flooded. Millions in damage through out the area. Down on the bay all the logs and stumps from up river are now down here floating around along with numerous other things. Were really hoping shipping picks up and we stay busy.

December on the Tioga

Well its the last shift of 2008 0n the Tioga for me. The weather has turned to winter and we ven have some snow on the ground. The ship work is steady and that makes the shift go a little faster. So Merry Christmas to all who comes across this blog. And have a Happy New Year.
John

Tioga/Guard

Well as it goes I spend 2 days on the Tioga then its off to the Guard for a shift. I haven't been on this class of vessel for some time so I have to kinda feel my way around again. Its like getting your feet wet when you haven't been in the water for awhile. Moving right along the conducts assist work through out the sound and we've been all over the sound in just the last few days. At this time were in Anacortes awaiting our next job orders. So for now were standing by just working on general maintance.