It was a lazy afternoon working at Micronesian Divers Association on Guam.
After a day of dive guiding I was in the shop and overheard someone talking about finding a Golden Courie at a divesite called Pete's Reef. I had guided Japanese divers at that site many times but had never found a prized Golden Courie. Pete's Reef was just north of Facpi Point. It had a coral reef that started at the edge of the barrier reef and ran down to about 70 feet where it turned into a sand flat. Within a week or so I was headed to Pete's Reef with a group of Japanese Divers. As the captain of the dive boat, I didn't dive because I had to be in command of the vessel in case the mooring line broke or some other situation that would put the passengers in danger.
During the dive, as I would help the returning divers back onto the boat I noticed that one young female diver came up with 1000 PSI of air in her tank.
One lesson, while pondering, now comes to mind, a memory that’s still haunting me.
It’s a lesson, my friend, that I learned very fast, and I got off easy, you’ll see.
It could have been the worst mistake ever made, by a sea-going farer, like me.
It’s really a simple thing, unworthy of much, compared with some perils of the sea.
But it’s a significant lesson I learned; so much that it influenced me.
In the dark of the night, on the island of Truk, I’d been diving the wreck of a ship,
When running to soak in a tub to get warm, in my haste, I took a bad trip.
Now you who’ve not spent much time on the sea, who’ve spent most of your life on the shore,
Don’t know that it’s bad form to run while on deck, as you might trip and fall overboard.
Well, I didn’t fall overboard, “lucky” you say, well my answer to you’s yes and no,
For as I was running barefoot on the deck: on a stanchion I caught my big toe.
I let out a scream as I fell to the deck, the pain shooting up to my hip.
And rolling, and bawling and clutching my toe, wisdom said, never run on a ship.
And then as I cradled my sore, throbbing toe, I bowed my head sullen and meek.
I’d broken a rule I knew better to break, and I hobbled and limped for a week.
Now my lesson to you, my truth-seeking friend, is to do what you know to be true.
If you haven’t chosen well ahead of the act, you might do what you know not to do.
So sit and decide what you will and won’t do, choose what you will and won’t be.
And then, in your haste, as the crisis unfolds, you’ll be amazed at how clearly you’ll see-
That life is made up of the choices you make, choosing wisely or most foolishly.
That a clear conscience brings sweet peace to your soul; it’s true, please listen to me.
So now as I finish my nautical tale, there’s wisdom I’d like to impart. Just little things, really, but value galore, that will help on the life’s voyage you start. Make sure you take map and compass, so you’ll know which way you should go. And hold on tight in a tempest, as you might get tossed to and fro. But above all else that I tell you, and before you depart from the slip, Choose now how you’ll act in the moment, and no, . . . . . . never run on a ship!
This poem is based on a true experience that actually happened to me while captaining a live-aboard dive vessel in the Republic of Chuuk in the Micronesian Islands. It is a 140' Norwegian Whaler that was converted to a dive vessel. I worked on it as the captain in the summer of 1994. The captain/owner went to England to a tourism convention and wanted a licensed captain on board while he was gone for insurance and liability reasons but also because he needed a person in authority to keep the crew on the ball while he was gone. I was onboard for 10 days. The company paid for my flight and also paid me while I was there. It was great.
One night I did a night dive. It was a night that I saw the most unbelievable phosphorescence. At night when the sun goes down it can get chilly even in the tropics. After coming aboard I made a bee-line for the hot-tub on the upper deck to get warm. Running to get in the hot water, I stubbed my big toe on a stansion. The poem is very accurate as far as details.
S/S Thorfin
140' Norwegian Whaler
Me, sitting with my feet up on the hot-tub that is mentioned in the poem.
Oil used for spreading on the sea in heavy weather to prevent or reduce the breaking crests. Vegetable or fish oils are better than mineral oils for this purpose. It was used as early as the 5th century.
Oil Bag:
A contrivance from which oil is allowed to drip slowly and spread on the surface of the sea in order to form a slick and reduce the seas.
The Sea and the Soul
By J. Brad Chapman Written August 24, 2013
When the sailors of old plied the wide, open deep,
in tempests of trea-cherous degree,
with fierce rage in the wind, and dark fear in their hearts,
they sought ways to calm the rough sea.
It’s the spindrift that blows from the crest of the waves
that blinds eyes, causing brave men to fret,
and the breakers that roll o’er the storm-tossed deck,
washing men overboard - that’s the threat.
So, . . with a bag poked with holes, filled with oil that drips,
slowly coating the face of the sea,
it then causes the breakers and mist to subside
it affects surface tension, you see.
Now men through the ages have diligently sought
to quell the harsh seas of this life,
by reducing the sadness, the troubles, the hate,
the evil; so pervasive and rife.
Turbulent, buffeted, tormented, distressed,
these are words of the sea and the soul.
but there‘s a solution, like spreading the oil,
that helps soothe, comfort and console.
Prayer is the tool, that God-fearing men use,
to put joy and peace in their lives,
like sea-calming oil, which coating the soul
lessens the hardships and strife.
The effectual prayer of a righteous man, (James 5:16)
availeth much, so you see,
a just, upright life, that is moral and pure,
is a heart-felt prayer’s best guarantee. (D & C 100:15)
So, . . . kneel down on the deck, with firm grip on the rail,
head bowed in meek humility,
remember that oft, life’s sore tempests and trials,
prove our worthiness and sanctity. (D & C 101:4)
Yes, the prayer of the righteous, is His delight, (Proverbs 15:8)
so scanning this life’s ruckus sea,
pray to the Father with real intent,
you’ll “endure well” storms He may decree. (D & C 121:8)
(Psalms 107: 23-31)
He’ll strengthen you, guide you, and cause you to stand,
on the voyages you choose to embark,
He’ll steer you ‘round obstacles and treacherous shoals,
if to His charts (the scriptures) you’ll hark.
So, . . . with stout-hearted Amen, resolve now to “sail on”,
with prayer - like oil, smoothing the sea.
Square your shoulders to windward, like a brave mariner:
Destination? . . . Eternity! (Moses 1:39)
This is a photo of a contraption that someone made to spread oil on the surface of the sea to minimize the breaking seas and spray. The item was thought to have been constructed in the 1950's or 1960's.
In this photo I am delivering the M/V Sounds of Pacific to Japan from Guam. We had to cross through the infamous "Devil's Triangle" which actually has a worse reputation than the Burmuda Triangle.
