Becahcomber ALERT - Beyond Tiki

M martiki Official Mixologist http://www.smugglerscovesf.com Joined: Mar 29, 2002 Posts: 3059	M martiki Posted posted on Tue, Jul 15, 2003 8:16 AM On 2003-07-13 15:12, Tiki-bot wrote: Apparently working around the containers on the docks is one of the most hazardous jobs there is. BTW, Martin, I'd KILL to get a tour of a container loading facility. Do you ever get (have) to do that? Well, the danger has been a bit exaggerated. It's more dangerous in the US because of the lack of modern technology and poor efficiency. Carelessness leads to accidents as well. It's not exactly like being a cop in Oakland or a firefighter or something. But, yeah, a container can fall on your head. Just like a driver can jump the median on the 280 and kill you. Life is a dangerous place. Believe me, they are HANDSOMELY compensated for their work on the west coast. I'll leave it at that. Get me drunk if you want a real rant. (But you probably don't) I have been on a few vessel tours and it's amazing. Watching the cranes work and toss these 50000 pound boxes around like they'e Lego blocks is very impressive. I used to take customers out on them. Nothing like standing on the deck between the rows as they are lowering them into the hold 35 feet down in front of you- and having this 40' long swinging box clang against the bulkhead about 10 inches from your face. Scary as hell but cool. We would then go up to the bridge, meet the captain (who always offered everyone a beer) and look out from about 12 stories above the water at the view. The quarters for officers are prety nice, and they usually have a nice lounge (some with draft beer). Most large container ships have a pool on board as well. On those ships that I posted going through the canal, it's on the roof behind the bridge- they pump up seawater and let it warm in the sun. The engine rooms are pretty phenominal as well. Most of the ships basically have a straight 8 engine. It's just three stories high and the cylinder heads are 5 feet across. I'd love to make an excuse to take people on a tour, because it really is fascinating, but A) I no longer work for a ship owner, so I don't really have the option and B) They don't really have tours anyway since 9/11. Sorry to be long winded.

On 2003-07-13 15:12, Tiki-bot wrote:
Apparently working around the containers on the docks is one of the most hazardous jobs there is.

BTW, Martin, I'd KILL to get a tour of a container loading facility. Do you ever get (have) to do that?

Well, the danger has been a bit exaggerated. It's more dangerous in the US because of the lack of modern technology and poor efficiency. Carelessness leads to accidents as well. It's not exactly like being a cop in Oakland or a firefighter or something. But, yeah, a container can fall on your head. Just like a driver can jump the median on the 280 and kill you. Life is a dangerous place. Believe me, they are HANDSOMELY compensated for their work on the west coast. I'll leave it at that. Get me drunk if you want a real rant. (But you probably don't)

I have been on a few vessel tours and it's amazing. Watching the cranes work and toss these 50000 pound boxes around like they'e Lego blocks is very impressive. I used to take customers out on them. Nothing like standing on the deck between the rows as they are lowering them into the hold 35 feet down in front of you- and having this 40' long swinging box clang against the bulkhead about 10 inches from your face. Scary as hell but cool. We would then go up to the bridge, meet the captain (who always offered everyone a beer) and look out from about 12 stories above the water at the view. The quarters for officers are prety nice, and they usually have a nice lounge (some with draft beer). Most large container ships have a pool on board as well. On those ships that I posted going through the canal, it's on the roof behind the bridge- they pump up seawater and let it warm in the sun. The engine rooms are pretty phenominal as well. Most of the ships basically have a straight 8 engine. It's just three stories high and the cylinder heads are 5 feet across.

I'd love to make an excuse to take people on a tour, because it really is fascinating, but A) I no longer work for a ship owner, so I don't really have the option and B) They don't really have tours anyway since 9/11.

Sorry to be long winded.

Post #43056 by martiki on Tue, Jul 15, 2003 8:16 AM