On our last day on the ferry, we were invited on a tour of the bridge and engine room. While on the bridge Darrin of course asked, “Can I drive?!?” The Captain, a young woman, thought about it for a few seconds, shrugged and said, “Sure, I guess so.” Darrin took the wheel and the captain ordered a small course correction. Darrin quickly realized the wheel was very sensitive, similar to flying an airplane, small corrections, overshoot the heading, correct the other way, small zigzags that from a distance look like a straight line (hopefully). Darrin only had the helm (sailor talk) for a few minutes, but I think he really enjoyed himself.
I, Darrin, went down to the engine room next as Melissa wasn’t too keen on the noise below. The small group of passengers were met by Richard the Chief Engineer of the boat. Richard asked where everyone was from, when I said, Vermont. He replied, I would like to talk to you after about some other things. I knew the wee Rover had been spotted again!
We had a great tour and learned a lot about the ferry and what it takes to keep a little city running 24 hours a day. He showed us how the power moves the ship, heats or cools the ship, pumps the water, all of the things that happen, that as a passenger, we take for granted.
One funny thing I wanted to pass on. Before going on the tours, we were standing on the veranda of our Aft Lounge/stateroom with another couple watching for wildlife. The same couple was on the tour with me when I noticed on the wall was a security camera feed of our little veranda giving a view behind the ship! I pointed it out and we all started laughing. I guess they caught our little show as we were jumping around high fiving each other when we saw the whales, porpoises, sea lions, and otters!
Darrin must have been like a kid in a candy store!!
When isn’t Darrin a kid in a candy store?
So true, so true!!