Keeping Us Afloat

It takes a lot of people to run a ship. The Knorr has a crew of 22. These include Captain Adam Seamons, Chief Mate Dee Emrich, Second Mate Derrick Bergeron, and Third Mate Alyson Paz. The Chief Engineer Steve Walsh and engineers Pete Marzac, Wayne Sylvia, and Sacha Wichers keep the ship moving. There are also oilers, communications, electricians, the boatswain (bosun), and so-called ordinary seamen. The Knorr has a diverse crew hailing from several different nations and cultural backgrounds. All have interesting personal histories.

One of the most extraordinary members of the crew is Jose Andrade. Jose is a friendly, outgoing, man with a ready smile. Jose was born in Cabo Verde, a small island country off the west coast of Africa. After his father died when he was 14 years old Jose started working full time as a fisherman to help support his family. At age 16, in the middle of the winter, he moved to Lisbon to work in construction. Eventually he emigrated to the US where he raised his own family. Today he is building his dream home near Natal, Brasil. His story of determination, hard work, and eventual success is moving, but not atypical of many on board.

Another of our new friends is Mess Attendant Tony Reveira. Tony was happy to start the cruise in his native country of Barbados. Too bad we didn't get to know him until after we departed Bridgetown. Tony works in the galley along with Chief Steward Bobbie Bixler and Cook Erskine Goddard (also a Bajan). These three are responsible for the health and happiness of all on board, and they do a great job! So good, in fact, that Catherine curses them every day and all of us are having a hard time with our shrinking clothes.

Which brings us to the "gym." I myself have not spent much time here as it is hot and loud. Some of us work on the theory that maintaining balance on a rocking ship will burn sufficient calories to allow us to indulge at the next meal (and in between).