Weeklies, Monthlies and Furries!

Hi Guys.  The weekend is finally over, and my liver survived.  We had a Bonfire on the beach (photos to follow) and Sunday, the Pharos was in and it was Roman, the Chief Officer's birthday so we were invited aboard for a barbeque.
First order of the day was base meeting.  Every Monday we all meet in the dinning room after breakfast to discuss Shipping Movements, notices, events, problems etc.  Its a good opportunity to convey information and organise your week around things.  Once the base meeting was over, Richie (the Electrical engineer) provided some fire drill training to the new winterers, then once complete, George and I were rota'd to assist the Mech with refuelling the day tanks for the Boilers, and then assist the sparkies with testing the fire alarms.  Its a straight forward process, and not a particularly exciting one.  It really is a case of monitoring the pump and lines in the fuel store during the refuel, and then standing by the panel in the Laboratory building silencing, resetting, and confirming via VHF radio that the correct alarm sounded.
The remainder of the day was spent on the jet boats.  All the boats in our fleet here undergo a great deal of planned maintenance.  Each has daily (pre-start), weekly and monthly interval checks, as well as 3 monthly, 6 monthly and yearly.  Each schedule is computerised and the computer generates work orders stating which service is required, and for which boats.  PIPIT and PRION got both there 3 monthly and weekly check ups today as they are both due.  No significant problems were found with either vessel and they were given a clean bill of health, although I am keen to loose a bit of weight to aid scrambling around in the confined engine spaces!
The afternoon was spent on DOTTY (the 2.5m tender with a 3.3hp outboard) as I assisted with a modification to the tide guage which is clamped to the seaward face of the quayside.  it was easy enough to remove, despite the bolts being corroded in the salt water.  I drove the tender round the bay after the work had completed to give the motor a good run as the tender gets very little use.
This evening after dinner, Ashley, Rob (the base commander) and I took a walk round to Sooty Bluff, the most Eastern extent within the single-person travel limits (more on these later).  Its a nice spot, and very close to base.  We took Bodgers (otherwise know as Broom sticks) to fend off any hostile fur seals.  Fur Seals are beginning to return ashore after some time breeding at sea, and they are far more aggressive than most Elephant Seals.  They seemingly prefer to lie amongst the tussock grass and leap out as you pass with an aggressive deep growl.  The bodger is designed to tickle there whiskers, which usually frightens them off.  If your cornered un-armed by a large Fur Seal then you can get a nasty bite.  Quick little critters too.
Sorry for the lack of photos this time guys, I have struggled for time to process any.  They will follow.  Signing off for tonight, but wishing you all a great Tuesday!