S.S. Curtiss

These past week I have been part of the large scale Turbo Activation. Across the industry, the US Government conducted a stress test on the Merchant Industry and called to action over 30 reserve ships. Based out of San Diego, my assigned ship was the S.S. Curtiss. I was called to serve at last minute to be the Third Mate for the mini 5 day mission. I got to the ship within an hour of setting sail. The intention of the mass activation was put each reserve ship under extensive sea trials to know first hand capabilities, but to also test the crewing capacity of the Mariners in the event of a large scale call to war or humanitarian aid relief. Personanally it made me proud to be called. Sailing is my craft. Take any ship in the world and I can set sail confidently. But given how short the mission was, it was just a chance to set sail and have fun.

The S.S. Curtiss is an old aviation maintenance and repair steamship built in 1969. For being as old as she is, I was astonished at how good of a condition she was in. There was no rust anywhere – a Mate’s dream!

I got sail out of and into San Diego which is a beautiful port. For me, it was awesome to get to sail into a City I once lived and knew in such an intimate way. The first few days underway we spent doing traditional sea trials – anchoring, full speed runs, different steering. The whole point is to teach each and every piece of equipment. To my surprise all equipment and machinery worked well on the Curtiss. Now, that might seem to be the expectation but you have to keep in mind this ship’s only last about 25years, and the Curtiss is 50!! The last two days on board were testing Navy communications and sailing tactics. For this we conducted a synchronized fleet sail with the Cape Inscription. I’ll tell you what making multiple ships turn simply by the sound of your voice must be the manliest feeling in the world!! It was definitely a fun day.

Pics from the mission: