Wow! What a day!

Wow! Monday was interesting. All of us that were not STCW certified had to get off the boat about 7:30 am for the coast guard inspection. We were taken to the Nekton offices that are in a large commercial type garage. We never went into the offices themselves to I have no idea what they look like but the outside was very unimpressive. The garage area was cluttered with junk and 3 new freezers. We had to use a special paint on the bottom and hinges that is suppose to inhibit rust. These are regular indoor freezers that are kept outside exposed to the salt air and they deteriorate rapidly. Anyway the paint was really for aluminum and not steel but we used it anyway. We then covered it up with white marine paint.

When we finished we were allowed to go off and run errands for several hours. I had to ride with Chance (the guy that lived in the car) and Brad. The car was a mess and full of clothes, booze and junk. I barely had room to sit in the back seat. I was seated right next to a speaker panel and the music was often turned up full blast. Chance drives like a mad man and the entire trip was horrible.

We started off by going to a storage facility to Chance could find out how much it would cost to store his car. He used his dad’s name and attempted to use his dad’s credit card number without actually having a card. After some discussion the facility just said he couldn’t stay there. It was just too fishy.

Next we hit a dive shop and Brad bought a $1000 worth of equipment and I bought a back up computer since I got instructor pricing.

We had lunch at some little pub and it was okay but not great. We all wanted some “real” food for a change.

I suggested we pick up the pace of things so we could get back to the boat. Both of the other guys didn’t like that idea and wanted to fool around for awhile so they didn’t have to work. I explained that the rest of the crew was working and it wasn’t fair for us to be messing around. They were not impressed.

Brad was upset and called the captain to find out how things were going. He determined the inspection wasn’t done yet but we had to go take a drug test. Suddenly the mood changed. Brad reached down onto the floor and pulled up two bottles of something. It was some sort of drink that is supposed to fool drug tests. They drank it down but it was apparently horrible tasting and they both gagged on it several times. Chance asked my to get him a bottle of booze from the back sit so he could mix it into this crap. I found a bottle of booze and he poured just a little bit into the bottle.

They started laughing histerically and said the hoped this $50 a bottle stuff would really work. Chance asked Brad it he thought it was worth while to “smoke” on the last night. Both agreed it was and kept laughing and joking about the entire situation.

Then we went to Lowes so I could buy some hooks and things to help create space in my crew cabin. I bought a few things but there were several items I wanted that I couldn’t find.

We headed off to another dive shop and every time a “good” song came on Chance would crank up the volume. I was so mad about the drugs, booze, crazy driving and loud music that I finally said “Stop the car, I want out”. They stopped and let me out at an Arby’s. I called the office and asked for a ride. Some of the staff was gone already so I had to call someone at the boat. I explained what I had witnessed and that I was standing on a street corner and needed a ride.

The president of the company showed up about an hour later. He wanted all the facts and details which I provided as best I could. He seemed genuinely concerned and we talked about it for a while and he drove me to take my drug test. Chance and Brad showed up at the same time. We all took the test but the results wouldn’t be known for 3 days. Chance and Brad proceeded on there way and John (the president) returned to pick me up. He purchased some immediate results drug tests for them to take. I was taken to the boat and he proceeded to pick them up at another storage facility. He took them to the office and did the drug test which they both passed. Apparently the cover up worked and I was now the bad guy with no proof.

John discussed the situation with me and still seemed concerned. I had said I wouldn’t be going on the boat if Chance and Brad went so he now wanted to know my plan. He recommended I stay since their test was negative so I decided I would give it a try.

As I said “wow, what a day”.