Comments on: Lions of the Hindu Kush

By: Curtis

Curtis — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:32:21 +0000

Mongo,

The bow wave and the wake are actually tiny in deep water. The bow wave is just a single slope to get over which is easy enough and the pirates are not operating Boston Whalers. All the one’s I’ve seen are deep V hulls with outboards and would have no difficulty with either the bow wave or wake. One has only to look at the record of piracy in the SOM where the pirates routinely track their targets and then come alongside while the ship is in full cruise mode, board and rob the ship’s safe and crew. I’ll admit, it takes a reckless character to do it routinely but let’s not compare these guys to 50 year old pilots boarding off the pilot boat who have a lot of trouble climbing a Jacob’s ladder. Think of our pirates as more akin physically to our Level III VBSS teams in good physical condition in their early 20s.

By: Mongo

Mongo — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:22:06 +0000

Okay, now you guys are onto hootch? Don’t get me started…
Oh wait a minute…a little late for that. Okay. Never mind.

By: Mongo

Mongo — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:21:06 +0000

Yeah, but, Curtis, the wakes (yes, that’s plural) off of the tanker would roll just about anything smaller than a destroyer. Get one of those critters moving at 25 knots and wake jumping becomes the sport of choice. Try to bring a Boston Whaler alongside at speed, and the whole situation becomes very problematic, if not lethal, for the would-be boarders; requires the utmost in skill and attention.

I still contend that the whole situation was contrived, and that we might have trouble distinguishing between Guest and Host were we to walk into the room unannounced.

By: JoeC

JoeC — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:16:20 +0000

Sid…I should be arrested for even LOOKING at that! Whooooo. Where’s my nitroglycerin? (And nothing like a total thread hijack.)

Lex… I hope you find what you’re looking for wherever the job interview takes you. Whether its in the sunny south or remaining out on the left coast. I’ve made good friends and acquaintances wherever I have lived and if you come across in the ‘real’ world as you do here in the fantasy world of the blogosphere…you will do well. Good luck!

By: Curtis

Curtis — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:46:57 +0000

Answer to technical question, how does one board a tanker or ship at sea underway? One throws a grapple hook over the side with an eye at the back through which runs a fairlead which is used to hoist a line that lifts a boarding ladder to the deck’s edge, climbs swiftly and shoots up anybody standing around. I won’t say it’s easy but it is straightforward and works on tankers best since they actually have very low freeboards when loaded. Should you ever see a tanker out of ballast and unladen, you would be amazed at their freeboard. This generally only happens when they are about to enter dry dock.

Apocryphal data I’ve heard is that if a VLCC tanker puts its helm hard over it takes 3 miles for it to have any effect. The advance and transfer for such ships is huge.

By: Da Yooper

Da Yooper — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:45:54 +0000

Byron,

Ah, a man after my own heart. When out and about on a trip I will head off to a suitable establishment and order a Bombay Sapphire Martini, up with a twist.

If business ever brings you up north I highly suggest the Rotunda Bar at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia. Best ones I ever had. Pair that with the “veal 3 ways” from the grill for the perfect refined experience. Just ask them to bring it from the restaurant and serve you at the bar.

The Ritz, whatever the location, is a guilty pleasure I allow myself once every two years or so. Every time has been memorable.