News from Nate aboard the Vigilant

Well, apparently their internet does work - here is a recent response from Nate.

Hey mom,
Everything is going very well, I'm not quite close to being fully qualified yet, im about a third of the way on drawings and the information on how the systems work (6 out of 15) I need all 15 signed off along with their packet, so I'm looking at about a week or so from now to get all the drawings done and maybe 2 weeks till I get all the JQR's (info packet) signed off (showing I have knowledge of the systems) other than that my job is basically to fuel the small boats after they go out, stand watch in the engine room, and for helicopter operations I am a fire party team member so when the hilo comes we get dressed out in case of emergency. We've already had a hilo stay for two days thankfully its gone now, when it is here you don't get to sleep as much as usual because it takes up your time being dressed for 2 hours in case of a crash. I have A LOT of pictures of everything from the clouds and sunsets, to the small boat and another cutter (110 ft) that we transferred migrants to (we have a few on board) but I guess all is well I get plenty of time to write so if you have any questions or anything just ask and I'll get back to you I can get on the comp basically before and after each watch and I have watch two times a day, say hello whenever and give me updates please! Im about to go on watch now or I'd write more...
-Love Nathan

PS I will probably get moved out of the apartments in January or February when we get the boat back so I will have to move some things home if that's alright.

Hmm for you questions... I'm eating just fine, sometimes not even having some meals cause im still full from the previous one.. but exercise not really I have the time but after 8 hours of watch a day and working and doing other things I'm just too unwilling. I don't like ship life how could I? No phone or direct communication, but eh I'll get over it, it'll be better once I'm qualified. Living quarters and duties are pretty much fine I've adapted and all that just would prefer to live in a house and fly in helicopters yah know? And the duty in Baltimore... no list as of yet but I will be taking some peoples duty weeks since they don't want to come up just so I can be by home for a little bit longer plus we get paid like $275 for the 2 weeks alright well I got to go fuel the small boat so I'll talk to you soon.

Borrow a boat, get underway

Nate's assigned vessel, the Valiant, still sits in Baltimore, being upgraded. As a result, while another ship's crew is receiving training, he and his shipmates will borrow their boat, the Venturous, and they will be underway the last weekend of July. They will go to Key West (which I hear sometimes involves rescue or police action due to the huge parties people have, hooking their boats together), Cuba, and Nassau/Bahamas. They will be underway for 8 weeks. He will not have cell reception much of that time, so hopefully the internet connection on that boat WILL work (Nate's boat, the Valiant, lost its connectivity several months before his assignment to it...).

While on liberty this week, he took up skateboarding - idle time, get a new hobby!

Will keep you posted...

Nate Update

What do you do without a boat? Train. Pass requirements. Nate has passed his basic and advanced Damage Control requirements. He has completed basic police training - from use of weapons, how to subdue hostiles, how to use a baton, how to handcuff, to practice with "OC spray" which is a mean pepper spray. What is left is for him to be watch qualified, but he will need a boat for that...

They are scheduled to borrow one while its crew goes to training - at last check, to travel to patrol the Miami area in a few weeks...