Captain Ben Brown's Blog

More Photos NW Australia, Indian Ocean

2008-01-03T00:13:00.001-08:00

Photos NW Australia, CGGV Symphony

2008-01-02T23:34:00.001-08:00

2008-01-02T23:08:00.000-08:00

19 degrees 57 minutes south
113 degrees 21 minutes east
100 nautical miles east of Barrow Island, North Western Australia, Indian Ocean.

It has been 8 months since I last updated from Brasil, and in that time I have started a new position as an independent Health Safety Environment representative aboard seismic exploration vessels in Indonesia and in Australia. I represent a highly respected and regarded firm in the United Kingdom. The clients I work for are large Oil Companies in ensuring HSE Plans are adhered to, no one is injured and the environment is protected. The vessels I have been on so far are the Pacific Titan and currently the CGG Veritas Vessel Symphony, a 400' behemoth that is a converted Russian fishing trawler. Both vessels are chartered by the French Company CGG Veritas. On Symphony the accommodations are very comfortable and the food is good. Perhaps most rewarding is interacting with on a daily basis with multi-national crews in learning about respective cultures, customs and courtesies and language.

I am grateful of all of the training, secondary and technical schools and leadership training instilled in me from my 20 year career as a CWO Bosn in the US Coast Guard as I draw on my experience in delivering quality customer service.

I'll post a few photos to get a glimpse of our operations. Have a great New Year.
More Later,
Captain, Ben Brown

Cabo Frio Brazil, Anchorage

2007-05-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

Cabo Frio Brazil,

Small vessels in the background protected at anchor in Cabo Frio. We hired a launch to take the crew ashore while we waited on the weather to improve for a few days. Subsequently we are now at the work site 50 miles offshore, S. Atlantic ocean. Still on the night shift working 6 PM to 6 AM (+3 Papa Time Zone). Today was the first day in many days that we were able to set up on 4 anchors and continue our survey consisting of core sampling. My grandfather Frank Fava would be proud as he retired from the State of Louisiana as a Geologist (where he worked for 40 or so years), and would be familiar with our work. I am working with Geologists on a daily basis as we continue our work.

My anchor handling is improving and I can now set all 4 anchors with confidence, but still have some more to learn in maneuvering our 1405 Ton, 270' Vessel. Night and day differences from the 110' Patrol Boat and 175' Buoy Tender I maneuvered while a Deck Watch Officer and Executive Officer during my 20 year career in the US Coast Guard. It is all good.

Captain Ben Brown

Waiting on Weather Again, Cabo Frio

2007-05-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last posting. Last week while on our four point anchor spread our starboard anchor cable parted necessitating a ride back into Niteroi where we replaced the cable and anchor. Good thing we had a spare anchor with us as a replacement anchor costs $30,000.00 USD in Brazil. My mate Jesus went back home to Tepic, Mexico and we are sailing with a Brazilian Mate which has been helpful, especially in translating. I switched to the night shift and still getting used to the time change. Anyway, after repairs we went back out to our work location which is 50 nautical miles South East of Cabo Frio and were able to get two days of work in before getting shellacked by a strong storm system that produced 49 knot winds and seven meter seas. Thank god we were not far from the protected anchorage of Cabo Frio ! Our eight hour ride into Cabo Frio was a little lumpy in 4 meter side seas but we are no worse for the wear.

I plan on going ashore tomorrow for yet more souvenirs as the beach we are anchored in front of has nice things and some bargains. It reminds me a lot of some anchorages I have been to off of California like at Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island and maybe Avalon but a lot less built up and crowded plus the sand is sugar white with warmer water.

I miss everybody back home Katie, Julia and Hayden and our friends and family. It was nice to get e-mail's from Chris Allaire and Tom and Amy Larson who are cruising in Australia. I am really glad to have internet via a satellite link and was able to buy flowers for Mom and Ann and would have sent some to Bonnie if she wasn't in Ireland with Vern.

Caio,
Ben Brown

Waiting on Weather

2007-04-29T03:37:00.000-07:00

In the vicinity of Cabo Frio at anchor waiting on weather, there is a high pressure system off the coast that has created 17 to 18 foot seas which is way out of our league to operate safely. Last night when we came in to anchor we were in 10 to 12 foot beam seas and 45 knot winds for our 6 hour transit which was not fun but all is OK now.

The Prainha (Portuguese for small beach, Praia is Large Beach) where we are anchored is a family vacation spot and is very nice, quiet and off the beaten path. These beaches do not have individual names according to our interpreter Helio (pronounced Ell - e - o). There is a small section at the end of the beach that costs $3.00 Reai's ($1.50 US) to enter but I have yet to figure out why, as the rest of the beach is free with plenty of restaurants, beach chairs and food and beverage service on the beach, emerald green water and sugar white sand that the shopkeepers keep clean by sweeping with brooms and raking. I found some really cool homemade paddles yesterday that looked hand carved in the men's restroom which serves double duty as a storage locker. There are vendors who sell their goods on the beach; yesterday I had green mussels that did not taste the greatest and also fresh Cashew nuts that were warmed and salted for $3.00 Reai, which were very good. There was a gentleman who walked down the beach with handheld portable BBQ that he used for making toasted cheese on a stick, perhaps I will try it today. I was able to get more souvenir's yesterday to add to my collection but would like to get more today.

When we go back to work I am hoping it will not last for more than 3 weeks so we can return to the US. I am missing Katie and Julia and Hayden and family and friends tremendously.

Laguna Rodrigo De Freitas

2007-04-25T03:35:00.000-07:00

This is the lagoon as seen from Pico do Corcovado (Christ Statue). The strip of land is Barra Da Tijuca west of Rio proper as the crow flies. The brochures found at Pico do Corcovado claim the christ statue faces a similar statue in Portugal, in perfect true compass alignment actually which is pretty remarkable for the time before true compasses.

The islands in the background are Ilhas Tijucas. Tijucas is an old Indian name of the indigeneous people of Rio before settlement.

April 25th at Sea + More Pictures of Rio

2007-04-25T03:21:00.000-07:00

Last night we had to move off of our work location due to weather. I thought I had anchoring down pretty well in the Coast Guard but have learned that I am a novice compared to other Captains who have been handling four anchors at a time for many years. Last night we picked up three of our anchors and are riding our port bow anchor as the weather is preventing work. We have winds out of the North East at 25 knots gusts to 30 and 8 to 10 foot seas - which is not too bad. However, When you factor in the water depth of 100 meters (328 ft) and the core sampling of 500 feet, the length of drill pipe adds up quickly. Last night we were 11 meters off of our location with 700 ft of drill pipe down and had to pull pipe back onto our work deck or risk bending the pipe and/or damaging the equipment. Now we are at anchor and riding nicely with our bow into the seas, waiting on the weather to cooperate which is a humbling experience as out here you realize quickly that you are always in the hands of Mother Nature or King Neptune if you prefer.

I miss everyone at home especially Katie, Julia and Hayden and can't wait to get back home in June and be with my family at our camp (Solitude) in St. Francisville, Louisiana where I have been going since I was a child and which holds special memories.

Best regards,
Ben Brown

Tuesday, April 24th

2007-04-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

A black and white whale a little smaller than a full grown Killer Whale has been circling the boat for a few days now. I believe there is more than one as there is another Whale of similar size but with more white coloring than the other. Photo below. Next trip a bird and marine mammal book will be mandatory items when packing.

Little Whale circling the boat

2007-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Photo's of Rio and Whales

2007-04-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Entering Rio de Janero,

Christ Statue on Pico do Corcovado. March 12th, 2007 after a 31 day transit from the USA. As seen from M/V Discovery entering port. We wound up berthed in Niteroi across the harbor and had to take water taxis on and off the boat to get to Rio as we were berthed on Illa Do Viana.

S. Atlantic Ocean, Cabo Frio Brazil Coast

2007-04-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Can't believe that it has been nearly 60 days since my last posting. Since then I have been very busy delivering the vessel from Carmen Mexico to Galveston Texas, then accompanying my boss "The Master" as we traveled from from Galveston, Texas on March 13th across the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and SE along the S. American coastline until finally sailing into port in Rio De Janero on April 12th. There is not a whole lot to report about the trip other than the current being such a factor as we were sailing into it most of the time sometimes only making 5 or 6 knots which made the trip a few days longer than anticipated. We had a pretty mean side sea along the Nicaraguan Rise coming from the Windward passage during which we lost our moon pool cover and our port stern anchor along with the anchor bracket ! We had pilot Charts to take advantage of the currents but our Pilot Charts were for the N. Atlantic ocean only, we will try to get a new Pilot Chart for the S. Atlantic Ocean for the return trip.

Anyway I calculated all of our time changes including the N. American daylight savings time adjustment so when we arrived in Rio we were predictably 1 hour ahead. Clearing through Brazilian Customs was quite an experience as was the expense of berthing, divers and repairs. I find the Brazilian people to be quite friendly and nice to work with. We were actually berthed in Niteroi on Illa Do Viana at Renave Shipyard across the Bay from Rio and had to take advantage of water taxis to get back and forth from the ship to town. I am very glad I have an interpreter assigned to me as I report daily to the Brazilian Navy and Port Authorities on vessel movements and other written and radio requirements. I know a little Spanish and actually understand a lot but Portuguese is a whole different ballgame.

In Rio my favorite items were "Shop" which is draft beer, "Brama" which is a local brand of bottled beer and by far my favorite restaurant is the Churrascaria where there a roving waiter delivering all sorts of meat on a stick and unlimited Sushi.

All I have time for at the moment. Fixing the Furuno echo sounder.

Photos coming soon.

Smooth sailing,
Ben

Middle of the Gulf of Mexico

2007-02-28T08:24:00.000-08:00

It has been a long while since my last post and time has flown by as I have been very busy !

This is the third day of our voyage from the anchorage near the entrance to Del Carmen, Mexico en route Galveston Texas where we will outfit Discovery for our upcoming trip to Brazil. For anyone not familiar with Del Carmen, it is located in the Bay of Campeche west of the Yucatan Peninsula or about as far south as once can travel in the Gulf of Mexico. Our client FUGRO has a drilling rig on our 180' work-deck where they have been taking core samples ot depths up to 450' off the coast of Mexico.

Our current position is 24 degrees 30.89 minutes North Latitude and 93 degrees 24.79 minutes West Longitude at a speed of 8.5 knots. our Estimate Time of Arrival is 21:00 hours on March 1st, 2007. I'll be glad when we arrive because my cell phone will be working if only for a short time before we sail for Rio.

As Captain this is the first time I have had the vessel alone while my boss Captain Wakefield Ball who is the Master of the vessel, took some time off. As Captain I have been responsible for anchoring the vessel on four points on location with four 10,000 pound anchors that have 6000 feet of 1 1/4 inch cable each. This is quite a challenge as running anchor wires in this fashion requires a lot of skill and experience, but this is part of why I love this job and what attracts me to the work. Wakefield Ball is a Master at this craft and I have learned a ton from him, he has been an invaluable resource and has been very supportive as I hone my skills. Also some of my other duties have been completing customs paperwork with Mexican and US Officials, processing payroll, ordering supplies, supervising ships work, etc.

I extraordinarily miss my beautiful lady Katie who has had family and friend visitors for the past two weekends in our CONDO in San Pedro. Very much looking forward to coming home sometime soon. Our swimming pool and Spa's will be refurbished and we are getting interior shutters installed. Having her in my life has inspired greater confidence in my abilities and for that I am grateful as well as having regular communications with Julia and Hayden Brown, Hayden just started Track at his school (Spencer Butte) in Eugene Oregon and Julia has learned to drive a stick shift, both are getting good grades in school and I am very proud of them.

Passage to Del Carmen, Bahia De Campeche

2007-02-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

At sea - Bahia De Campeche, In position 19' 25.30" North, 094' 43.57" West, making 8.5 knots headway in 10 to twelve foot quartering seas out of the north, on course 104 degrees true.

So far it has been a slow rolling journey in moderately rough conditions with infrequent rain squalls. Load on deck is A-OK, 21 souls on board. Enroute Del Carmen Mexico where we will load additional FUGRO personnel and continue core sampling operations. I am standing the 6 am to 6 pm watch and my mate Jesus is standing the 6 pm to 6 am watch. Communications are good with our satellite service that includes internet and two "land lines" however the SSB with Digital Selective Calling that is routed with our GMDSS equipment is inoperable though we have a separate stand alone SSB that is operational.

I've seen a few flying fish and when departing Tuxpan noticed a healthy pod (about two dozen) of Dolphin's though these seem to be more stout and dark in color than the Dolphins around the Channel Islands off California whose pods are vast, often times surrounding the various vessels I have sailed there. I also spotted an large albatross or possibly a frigate bird. Wish I had my bird book for positive identification as I am noticing brightly colored tropical birds that like to hitch a ride sometimes on the shrouds of our forward mast.

All in all things are very good. Good Mexican food with fresh grilled tortilla's at every meal. Asada, pollo, and all the accoutrement's. Especially like the homemade salsas.

Missing my lady Katie and Hayden and Julia Brown very much and hopefully will see everyone soon, about the middle of next month.

Passage to Del Carmen

2007-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Leaving this morning to Del Carmen at approximately 10:00 hours. Total time is 42 to 44 hours at 8 knots. Watched the Superbowl in Spanish last night at the Jarr Cafe in Tuxpan.

Will get our bow thruster fixed in Del Carmen and have FUGRO personnel from Houston meet us there to continue core drilling operations. The plan is the drill at least four more holes and then return to Galveston Texas to prepare for the trip to Brazil.

Todays Events

2007-02-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Another day at the dock in Tuxpan (pronounced; "tooks-pan") waiting on weather to improve before sailing to Ciudad Del Carmen Mexico this coming Monday. Ciudad Del Carmen is commonly referred to as Del Carmen which is located on the Gulf Coast 100 miles north west of the Mexico Guatemala border and twice as far (200 miles) north west of Belize. The trip down the coast from Tuxpan will take approx. 48 hours. Although it is about 450 Nautical miles to the southeast of Tuxpan, Discovery makes only 8 knots at full throttle ! I've sailed faster than that in my 1988 Hunter Legend 40' Sloop down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles. But that is another Sea Story.

Today we have just our crew on board as FUGRO personnel have gone home to Houston for a break and will join Discovery in Del Carmen next week.

The food and drink in Tuxpan is quite inexpensive. At the local watering holes a Cerveza will set you back about 150 pesos ($1.50 USD) but can go as high as 200 pesos ($2.00 USD). Taco's are .50 each ! Also Tuxpan is relatively close to Mexico City which is 150 miles to the southwest of Tuxpan. Although we are right on the coast the seafood isn't the best and by far the best food I've had is BBQ'ed chicken and Steak also there is a restaurant near the inland river front that serves a mean bacon cheeseburger for just 400 pesos.

The people of Tuxpan are very friendly with no problems so far. The streets are pock marked with a pothole count that would put New Orleans to shame. And that's saying a lot. Also there are huge speed bumps, more like knee high concrete cattle guards where the driver is forced to come to a complete stop and traverse sideways to keep from bottoming out.

We have a football pool going on board to make the big game tomorrow more interesting. Also our crew of cooks and steward do a great job of cooking the local cuisine with fresh tortilla's, salsa's, homemade guacamole, etc. This is a good thing.

Until later I bid you farewell.
Ben Brown

Today's Events, M/V Discovery (Vanuatu)

2007-02-02T14:52:00.000-08:00

Captain's Log,

Today was quite uneventful. At the dock in Tuxpan, Mexico waiting on weather to cruise down the coast to Del Carmen where we will work with Geologist's, Surveyor's and Drillers from FUGRO in Houston, Texas. FUGRO is doing sampling of the earth at depths up to 400' for PEMEX which is the one and only oil company in Mexico. This work is accomplished with a drilling rig we have welded to our work deck.

In addition to the our full crew compliment of 13 people we have 22 FUGRO employees on board for a total of 35 people. All hands are accommodated on the ship with room to spare as we are 270 feet long at 1405 Gross Ton's.

As of today the plan is to leave on Monday morning February 5th to Del Carmen.