Sailor for Two Weeks

With all the disasters going on in Japan, the Navy elected to pull the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON out of Yokosuka. We were in the middle of a maintenance period, so there was more work to do, so several hundred shipyard workers got underway with the carrier to continue on with the work. The ship really claimed us as members of their crew and we began to experience the life of sailors at sea.Me posing in front of the island during the "Steel Picnic". They set up a barbecue, music, and games on the flight deck and we all took a long lunch. There were people doing Sumo Wrestling, radio controlled car races, tossing footballs and baseballs. The deck is covered with non-skid which would feel like you fell on to a cheese grater, so I didn't see anyone diving for any of those balls.

I was assigned to a two man stateroom. My room mate was a very nice Lt. Commander who showed me the ropes on how to live on board and gave me a nice tour of the bridge. The cabinets above housed most everything I brought with me (which was a fair amount since I packed like a refugee...)

Slightly different angle shows the sink and mirror where we kept all our toiletries.

My rack. Even though I am 6' 3" tall, it took me quite a while before I could easily get in and out of the top rack. I brought a sleeping bag and was glad I did so. Once I got used to the odd sounds, motion, and schedules, I actually slept quite well. You can see that we get curtains for privacy and a light for reading.

The view in the other direction showing the door and how the cabinet opens up to be a desk. The bags hanging on the bulkhead (wall) to the left are laundry bags. They are net bags you fill half way full of dirty laundry, clip shut, and then signal for pick-up. They come and pick up your laundry bag and wash and dry it all in the bag. Our shipyard laundry was slightly different, but still used the bags. I always wondered how everyone didn't lose all their socks...

The passage way from our state room to the head (bathroom). One is required to be fully clothed when walking between your state room and the head. And when you accidentally lock yourself out of the room, it makes the walk up to the office a bit more dignified... :-]

They open up the flight deck for physical fitness quite often and I got out twice to run. It is just short of a half a mile around. One has to watch out for some obstacles, but it is generally safe and clear for a good work-out. There is a wonderful view of the ocean in all directions. You get the feeling that you are running on your own little private dessert island with one big rectangular palm tree. And, there is definitely an upwind and a downwind leg of each lap!

Every once in a while, the ship would get fresh food and supplies brought to them from a supply ship. All the supplies were carried over by helicopters and then stowed below. Quite an operation. The video below shows some of the operation.

After a little over two weeks at sea, our work was complete and we had a chance to get off the ship. We pulled in to Sasebo, Japan, which is a Navy base, but isn't big enough to allow the carrier to pull up to the pier. So, the ship anchors out in the bay and barges of supplies are brought out and water taxis run people back and forth. The picture above has our water taxi in the foreground and the aircraft carrier WAY in the background.

Took a little video of the vertical replenishment operation: