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About the Header Image: Idlebrook Wendy Darling Evensen "Wendy" one of our four Labrador Retrievers.

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Sunday, January 30, 2011

Who is Steering the Ship?

Good morning,

While cruising along on a huge cruise ship on a sea day, the waves crash against the side as the ship slips through the water.

If you don't want to spend all your time at the pool during all those hours there are many events that are both fun and informative for the guests.
One of those events is the Captain's Corner.  It's an opportunity for guests to meet the Executive Committee who will answer questions about the ship and life at sea.

A regular question from guests is, "If you are here, who is driving the boat?"
Captain Tor immediately informs everyone that this is not a boat, it is a ship.  Those yellow things in the image above are life boats hanging on the side of our ship.   Anyone who calls our vessel a boat will owe everyone else in the room a drink.  And, ships are steered, they are not driven.  That always brings laughs and a very important lesson is learned about boats and ships.  ;) 
There is always (24/7) a bridge team of officers on the bridge;  and, as necessary when not on auto pilot, there is a helmsman at the wheel while at sea.  Although there is an autopilot program that can be set, there are always eyes on the sea.  The Captain, Staff Captain, or Chief Officer take over to take the ship in and out of port and when the ship is in congested areas.

There is also always an engineering team under the supervision of the Chief Engineer in the Engine Control Room who monitor all systems that provide all the power for propulsion to get the ship from one port to the next, electricity, heat, air conditioning, clean water, galleys, laundry, toilets, etc. 

 Happy cruising!

Lois 


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11 comments:

Montanagirl said...

Interesting! They're just so huge, I don't imagine there's much room for error when going in and out of port.

Anonymous said...

NOW!! who in the world would run out of things to do on THAT ship!! And even if it were possible!! People watching is such fun!!...debbie

Sherry said...

Now if I were on a cruise, I would be more interested in having a good time than knowing "who is DRIVING the BOAT!!!"

Christmas-etc... said...

Nice to know!! Nothing can replace human eyes!
Blessings to you and your hubby!
Ann
PS Where was that photo taken??? :)

grammie g said...

Hi Lois...Interesting bit of info...just seeing those big waves, no matter how big the ship is or who is steering it makes me real nervous!!
Then again I felt that way about airplanes until I had my first flight..then I loved it : }}

Karen said...

that first picture reminds me of a trip I took round San Francisco Bay in a speedboat, really exciting but I got drenched!! Had to go back to my hotel on the F train like a drowned rat!! I am sure everyone was muttering ''crazy tourist''!!

Diana said...

I knew that there was an extensive staff aboard ship. I was amazed when we went on our cruise!
I love that first photo Lois, the water colors are beautiful!
Love Di ♥

Elaine said...

A nice behind the scenes look. I'll bet at every Q&A event there's at least one really stupid question.

Lois Evensen said...

Good morning,

You are right that there are many very interesting questions. The Executive Committee often has some pretty funny answers, too, but always followed by straight answers.

To put size into perspective, that first image was taken from Deck 4 above the water.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Very best,
Lois

HMSDOS said...

Okay... a quote from you "the waves crash against the side as the ship slips through the water.".... please save some of the waves crashing until we get there :-)
doris

Lois Evensen said...

Hi Doris!

We sure will save some of those waves. I have thought of you and Harry often this winter as the waves have had us rocking and rolling. :) See you on board in May!

Hugs,
Lois