By Michael Carr – Maine Maritime Academy sits on the shores of Penobscot Bay Maine, where the surface water temperature rarely exceeds 50 F, and that only occurs on the one weekend in August called “summer”. Below the surface layer, the 50 F water temperature quickly drops to the low 40s F and...
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Is He Dead? Or What Is a Stomata?
By Michael Carr – “Is he dead?” the diver asked. “Shit, I have no idea,” his buddy said. “Is he breathing?” asked the first diver. “You guys need to start CPR,” said the helicopter crew chief, we are taking off now. “Right,” said the first diver, as he and his buddy tried to position themselves to...
Sometimes There is No Solution
By Michael Carr – He looked in through the C-130’s rear cargo doors. He could see all the way up to the cockpit landing, and just stared as he and his dive buddy bobbed in the large ocean swells. Looking below he saw the immense depths of the ocean, everywhere the endless ocean. But in front […]
SWITCH ON!
By Michael Carr – “SWITCH ON!” the diver yelled into the speaker inside his Superlight 17 fiberglass diving helmet. This command was received on the surface by the topside supervisor, who replied to the diver with the same words. “SWITCH ON.” He then turned to the generator operator and repeated,...
Close Reaching to San Salvador Island
By Michael Carr – He pondered the sailing chart, visualizing the route they would take tomorrow. He was still comparing options and resolving in his head the effects of set and drift, sailing angles, ocean currents, and arrival requirements. A warm tropical breeze blew in through the pilothouse’s...
Carr: Going 50 Knots with Your Hair on Fire
By Michael Carr – “All boats, comms check, report when ready.” Three Riverine Warfare boat captains respond with “loud and clear”, and then four green and brown camouflaged boats slowly and quietly head out into the muddy river. There are no lights, no sounds, and barely perceptible ripples on the...
Carr: Tons Per Inch Immersion, or What Was I Thinking?
By Michael Carr – A 70-ton, 75-foot tug hung in the air 10 feet from the bridge windows. The ships master was attempting to maneuver his vessel sideways, out from under the suspended tug, using his vessels twin screws, and bow thruster. But his plan was not working. A flood current was pushing him...