We did the same. Our fantastic chief steward would then prepare that tuna a half dozen tasty ways over the next few days.
Whatâs the story on Cabaras Marine?
I use to know a guy that occasionally worked for them in the winter for a couple of months. He liked working in shorts and flip flops, and getting out from under his wifeâs thumb.
The pay at Cabaras was horrible, about half the typical US rate, on a remote Island with a high cost of living.
The tugs that bring out the pilot are slow. Having to slow down sufficiently to allow the tug to come alongside on a car ship means a lot of leeway when the trade winds are strong. Iâve seen the tug/pilot boat operator have problems getting away after the pilot gets aboard the ship,
Not an issue departing port as the pilot gets off inside.
Getting turned inside is a little tight but never had any problems with the tug assist near the pier. The view of the tugs from the wing gives the impression of poor housekeeping.
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One of our boats got a charter to haul an undersea cable from the manufacturing plant in New Hampshire to Guam. When they go there they found out that the cable laying ship they were to transfer the cable to had been delayed. Our boat would have to wait two weeks. But the Navy brass didnât want the crew on the ship at the base. Security reasons. On the other hand, they wanted the crew nearby, because Typhoon Whatever may or may not come close, and the ship might have to head to sea.
So the Brass solemnly informed our captain that Uncle Sam was going to put up the crew at the Hilton Guam Resortâwith pay of courseâand they would just have to shut up and take it. The crew would just have to rent motorcycles, or go snorkeling, or just sit by the pool and be bored. For two weeks. With pay. Oh, and one more thing: because the contract was a security thing at the time, the crew had to keep all this secret. They could not tell wives and sweethearts until a month after the cable was delivered.
Our captain said, Anything for Uncle SamâŚ
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Please donât throw me in the briar patch said Brer Rabbit.
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The Hilton guam resort isnât a great hotel. Maybe it was 20 years ago.
Much better accomodations than the boat you think? Iâll take it. You wouldnât? Dude may have been talking about an experience more than 20 years ago Still, I hope better than staying on the boat perhaps no matter how long ago,
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The occasional hotel room in port is a good perk for the crew and a wise investment for the company. Especially if the crew has to climb ladders to get on and off. Assuming we are talking about seagoing sailors who are onboard for months at a time.
âRotational workersâ doing 14/14 can simply be imprisoned onboard. Itâs only for 14 days, then they can go do what they want on their own time.
In first or second grade we went out on a field trip to a tuna cannery. They showed a film of the fisherman wielding rods with barbless hooksâŚflinging the fish into the hold. Very cool.
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I wonât forgot my first voyage to Guam, watching the pilot crab into the harbor was impressive and educational. Young third mate me kept thinking âman, we are pointed right at those rocks!â
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There is some damn good snorkling at those rocks too. And good diving in the harbor. I forgot the name of the ships, but I touched two ships sunk on top of each other. I think one was sunk in WW1 and he other in WW2.
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The âSMS Cormoran IIâ, a German armed merchant rider, was in port when the USA entered WW1; scuttled by the crew on April 7, 1917.
The âTokai Maruâ was a civilian freighter used by the Japanese Navy in WW2. In port, January 1943, she was hit by a torpedo from the âUSS Flying Fishâ, but did not sink. On August 27, 1943, a torpedo from the âUSS Snapperâ finished the work.
Both ships are in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places .
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Guam can be a fun place, I loved the diving and fishing. If you canât limit your time at the Viking Club that is!
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They used to dump trash in the ocean at a place called âthe shark pitâ. After raising the Guam Bear (a Vietnam AND Supreme Court story), my father, the Navy salvage officer at the time, re-sank it about a mile offshore from the shark pit.
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Still there. I saw 2 Vikings clubs in October.
I stayed there last October 2022. Still great. The price was better in 1990s for sure. Still cool hotel. I paid 130 per night gov rate. Back in the 90s i paid 38 dollars airline rate. I didnât use airline rate because something about doing it online password crap.