Day 94 - At Sea

Day 94 – Monday 14^th April 2014 – At Sea

It is a hot clear day with calm seas and many are taking advantage on the open decks, though some appear to over indulge and are turning the colour of lobsters.

The theatre lunch time lecture was given by Ken Vard on the story of the three sisters, the ocean liners, Majestic, Titanic, and the Britannic, also known as, the loved, the damned and the forgotten, I thoroughly enjoyed the talk and learnt some more facts about these great liners of their day.

The anti-pirate lookouts are more in evidence today, as we have additionally to those on the bridge.  On the open promenade deck 3, there are posted either side of the ship, one forward, midship, and aft personnel armoured with binoculars.  It was interesting talking to them and learning their backgrounds.

In particular, I was intrigued by the six empty beer kegs tied together with rope at the forward end of the ship on either side. Seemingly, when you spot the pirate boat nearing the ship, you throw over the side the attached beer kegs, which are supposed to become entrapped in the boat propellers, and stop the pirates in the water.  Interesting, who dreams up these measures to save our souls.

While I was patrolling the decks the Captain gave an announcement over the speakers for blood donors of the Group A, as we have on board a very ill patient, requiring a transfusion.  An hour later, a further announcement informing the medical staff had been overwhelmed with the number of volunteers and very grateful.

It is another formal night and invited to the Captain’s party for world cruisers.  The usual grand affair and the waiters whom we know, as usual kept us well supplied, as it only lasts at the most forty five minutes.

The Captain informed at the party, we were now doing our maximum speed to be able to carry out a medical evacuation (Medivac) tomorrow afternoon, off the port of Muscat in Oman, and land two very ill patients.

After dinner, we finished off the night in the Golden Lion with Karaoke which is proving to be very popular, as the usual suspects tried to keep us entertained.