| In 1972 we were in Gitmo and most nights had to anchor out which meant we had to keep at least one plant operating. At that time our evaporators could only make about 500 gallons of water a day for potable and feed water. The problem was the boilers used between 800-900 gallons a day. Hence potable water always suffered. In Gitmo they made their own water so they would let us take on only a few thousand gallons every couple of days and had meters on the pier hookups. We would be on water hours even when we were tied to the pier. One night, after taking on our allotted water Lobo (Bob Lobianco) and I took the midwatch as he wanted to go out and investigate underneath the pier for an unmetered water outlet. Shortly after the beginning of our watch Lobo came down to the Engine room and said he had found one and we needed to get some fire hoses to steal some water. We strung the hoses and proceeded to take on water. We filled forward peak (175,000 gals) then the two culinary tanks. By then it was 4 am and we were starting on after peak (125,000 gals). I was in after steering watching while Lobo was in the engine room. Well, I fell asleep and when Lobo came back to after steering it was already flooded with 4-5 feet of water. We had to round up some pumps to get all of the water out. The next morning the fuel and water reports were given to Captain Stone. I think it was Mr. Lose that officially reamed us at quarters but took us aside and told us the "old man" said good job. For a few days anyway we weren't on water hours. On the Nasty Nan we always had to be innovative, it was just our way.
Gerry McPherson MMFN |