Sunrise in Valdez

We just finished loading 900,000 barrels of Alaska North Slop Crude Oil as the sun rises in Valdez. Headed back to the west coast!

Setting Sail

About to let go of lines and head to Valdez for the first time!

Whiteboard Lesson: Tank Soundings

Today's whiteboard lesson from the chief mate: taking ullage and interface soundings (aka how much oil and water are in the slop tank). Cadets look like park rangers these days...

The Final Sea Project Begins!

I don't think I'll be able to commit to a daily photo update this time around because there will be days where I won't have a signal at all, but I'll try to post when I can. 

Here is a photo from the dock this morning before I boarded the ship for the first time!

Orientation Week

After a week of orientation at the ConocoPhillips / Polar Tankers HQ in Houston, I'm headed out to begin another 3 month journey at sea to complete my sea time for my license. This time I'm off the lakes and will be joining my ship, the Polar Endeavour, in Port Angeles, WA! 

Part 2, Day 92: Sea Time Complete!

Day 92: All done with my second semester at sea with 92 more days in the books and on solid ground in Seattle for a little time off before school starts!

In my time on the Sam Laud this summer, we transported 343,000 tons of iron ore; 220,000 tons of stone; and 45,000 tons of coal while traveling more than 25,000 miles all over 4 of the 5 Great Lakes. 

Part 2, Day 91: One Day Left

Day 91: As the sun sets on this day, so it does on my second and final sea project on the Great Lakes as I'm off the boat tomorrow! 

Day 90: Last Lock

Day 90: In the last two summers, I have made the transit through the Soo Locks more than 50 times. Today, the gate opens on my final trip through the locks as a cadet!

I've been on the boat for three months today and only a couple more days to go!

Part 2, Day 89: Final Ore Load

Just finished loading my last load of iron ore for the summer! This photo is from the end of the unloading boom which is swung out over the ship's side during the load. It's hard to believe I only have three days left on the boat this summer. 

Today's #greatlakesfact: Minnesota's "Iron Range" produces over 40 million tons of high grade iron ore annually which is shipped from ports on Lake Superior to steel mills in Ohio and Indiana.