[M0rd3kaI]

Constellation one Rig Move - Part 2

So it is 13:00 the 18th June, been on the water for a day and a half, woke up around 9am this morning and went down to grab some Corn Flakes for breakfast.

We are long out of visual range of land, I saw today one of the tow boats have been disconnected and is now just leading as a support vessel I believe. We are in deep water now, high swells and choppy waters make this rig feel like a cork in the water. Every so often we'd get a tremour, like a light... very light earthquake, I asked my supervisor what exactly that is, but he couldn't directly answer me, said it has many factors that contribute to it and the waves are one of the key ones... fair enough.

Access to the Helideck is at high caution, you can go onto it without problem, but they don't allow us to stay there and talk or look for too long, specially not too close to the edge seeing as a high tidal movement can still appear and ruin your day... falling a good 70+ feet to the water isn't fun, being run over by a rig... is right up there to be honest, anyway, that's all understandable. Elevators are out of order for the time being, and the stairs are the only option from now on, not really an issue, but as the rig lifts it feels like you're a bit heavier, climbing up the stairs feels like as if you're carrying an extra 50 kg's on your back... as soon as the rig goes down on the wave though... that's when the fun starts, it feels like you weigh about 50 kg's in total... running up the stairs was never easier... then again, of course I did not run up the stairs that's dangerous and actually not permitted, well, running in general is not permitted, but doesn't stop people from turning a brisk walk into a jog, soon followed by a sprint. I wonder how an emergency would feel, say for instance if someone has a tremendous injury and they need to get him to the hospital ASAP... wonder if they run then?

Had Pizza on the menu for lunch... olives... goddamn I hate those grapes from hell, taste like... well, nothing I can describe sarcastically or honestly, I suspect even shite will taste better in comparison. luckily the pizza wasn't too bad after all, nice and fresh make all the difference.

I asked my supervisor when we can expect to be back on duty... his answer: "Maybe tomorrow... maybe the day after" so... this is nice Anyway... I don't have much else interesting to say other than this for now... time to watch something...

[GaryO]

I’ve been around offshore rigs some, Kai,
That’s dangerous work.

Get yer rest.

Keep yer eyes open.

Don’t get distracted.

Give yerself a chance to get old.

Oh, and when off duty, learn to notice the unnoticed…and write it down…and post it.

[GaryO]

So, wunna my projects today was to build a back seat for my grandpuppies, since we’re gonna haul their narrow behinds down to the cabin with us this time.
Had some 2x2 and thin ply, so, banged out the bench seat.

Simple frame but needed a bit of a slant for the back rest.
22.5° was right on, and made the little pressure brace behind perfect at 45° on one end and 22.5° on the other (both positive settings on the miter saw).

I can tell I’m getting’ slow of foot, ‘cause this took a good portion of the morning, aside from trimming the grapes, mowing, trimming the lawn, and making sun tea….and posting here….
I’ve still gotta drill a slot for the seat belts and make a couple cup holders…puppies get thirsty too.



Made the frame and kitted the components





Just need a slot for the seat belts...and need to steal the lawn chair cushions

[Mooooooooooooooooooo]

Dear Gary.



I love you.


Humbly, Moo+

[GaryO]

LMMFAOF

(I love you too….but we’re not going to sniff hind ends or anything, right?)

[Mooooooooooooooooooo]

LMMFAOF

(I love you too….but we’re not going to sniff hind ends or anything, right?)

Maybe just a quick one.

[M0rd3kaI]

Not advisable if hayfever is an issue...

Time for part 3 of my Rig move story.

Constellation one Rig Move - Part 3

Interesting story I found today, the rig is at its final position, or within a mile of it (Nautical or standard I am not sure, but either or, it's not that important) but we can't lower the legs and set up just yet... the swells are too high and the legs can't be lowered in such weather, because in the case that the leg is almost in position and the rig goes down due to a swell and the leg hits the bottom... bent steel on the structure supporting the whole weight of the rig is not ideal, SO we have news... it is Monday and they see a gap in the weather that will enable the legs to be lowered safely to the seabed... only problem with that is that the 'gap' they predict to be good enough will only be on Friday... another week in this bohemoth. Oh well, could be worse... wait, no it is, this rig is designed to take nothing more than 3 degrees of pitch from dead vertical... at the moment we're hitting 5 degrees on a common base.

We moved earlier in time to possibly miss a storm, but sadly that plan is now placing us directly in the storm and waiting for it to subside. There is way too much movement to safely land a chopper in the case of an emergency and taking a life boat is dangerous seeing as all 3 life boats are at the bow of the rig... directly in the path of this giant as it is being towed by the anchor-handler boat.

Interesting...

Anyway, the rig's hull has started to twist... to such an etent that there are apparently tiles coming loose due to the torque on the hull... I have not seen these tiles so can't say if they are true or not, but at this time I'll believe anything. (The rumours were true, saw numerous tiles missing that were there few days earlier.)

Another re-assuring thing I saw not too long ago is the fact that the legs are swaying... not such a problem, I mean, the whole rig is swaying... right? Well, yes, the whole rig is swaying, but when looking at the leg and comparing its movement to the (for example) accomodation block's movement... they don't match up, so... the legs are 548foot pendulums... Great

Saw a few Dorados not too long ago... nice sized ones as well... too bad the OIM won't allow the catching of said Dorados... damn... Oh well... easy come, easy go.

Will make another entry in my 'journal' of sorts soon...ish, going to see what I can do to keep myself busy with.

[GaryO]

Do you recall the difference of sea weather, the aromas blown in, the possibly broken sky with storm clouds on the horizon?
I recall feeling most vibrant while on the water.
I know my son does.
Hell, he’s been on the sea so long, he can’t walk straight on land….watched him zigzag down the grocery aisle.

Are your sleeping quarters cramped?
Do you have trouble keeping food on the table?

Most importantly, while out there, do you feel closed in or free?

[M0rd3kaI]

All the questions!!!! (Jes kiddin, I don't mind... really)

Well sadly no aroma actually reached my nose other than diesel fumes and mudpit exhausts... so no, the sky in Gabon is almost permanently hazy due to the crappy humidity so the only clouds you saw were the ones pissing down on your head.

I don't mind the water, motion sickness gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, but not the good kind in general, but I don't mind being on the water on a rig so far.

Sleeping quarters can become shite on a rig, but luckily the Constellation one is very nice, 2 man rooms and a bathroom per room, I have been on the Trident 4 and the Adriatic 2 that had 4 man rooms and 2 rooms sharing a bathroom, but it is really very comfortable living quarters.

The rocking motion even at it's extremes is unbelievably gentle, the most we ever got was a full glass of drink having signs of movement in the surface of the liquid, but everything stays quite nice and firmly in place while eating/ working etc.

I feel free, because although outside of the living conditions everything can take off your hand or kill you in an instant, you are allowed to roam the rig as you please if adequate PPE be worn in the required areas, otherwise everyone is chilled and doesn't mind you being around the (example) Helideck standing 5 feet away from a 8+storey drop with no handrails, so Personally I feel free.

[Schultz1]

I have no idea what to write.