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USNS Gianella fuels operations at McMurdo Station for another year The AMO and SIU crew aboard the USNS Lawrence H. Gianella during Operation Deep Freeze 2008 included Capt. Robert Lee, Ice Pilot Robert Mills, Chief Mate Patrick Rathbun, Second Mate James Cunningham, Third Mate Amanda Roberson, Third Mate Timothy Beaugard, Bosun Trevorous Ellison, Assistant Bosun James Hall, Assistant Bosun Yves Marcel Goiset, Assisstant Bosun Clifton Doonis, Assisstant Bosun Stag Rye, Assisstant Bosun Ronald Williams Jr., Chief Engineer George Arsenault, First Assisstant Engineer Casey Cooper, Third A.E. Jamie Landeira, Pumpman Darrell McDonald, QMED James Summers, QMED Lamar Parker, DEU Victor Stewart, DEU Enrique Nunez, Steward Mary Brayman, Chief Cook Alfonsa Eligio, GSU Ali Salim, GSU Regina Flores Miguel, Engine Cadet David Hume, Deck Cadet Laura Ladd and SIU Apprentice Christopher Shivalier. Photo courtesy of Capt. Robert Lee By Capt. Robert Lee February 21, 2008 The USNS Lawrence H. Gianella is now returning to the U.S. after participating in Operation Deep Freeze 2008. The crew of the Gianella brought down 6 million gallons of fuel that will keep the U.S. operations at McMurdo Base and the South Pole station running for another year. The pack ice was very thick this year and never opened completely until late February. Also, the Southern Ocean storms were active, as usual, serving up 30-foot seas almost daily. The conditions were harsh, but the AMO-SIU crew was up to the task. Some appeared a bit green around the gills coming through the storm belt of the Southern Sea, but that's expected in the roughest ocean of the world. None complained and all continued to do their job in a very professional manner. This was the first such trip for many in the crew and their eyes were wide open as we pulled into the ice channel that was full of penguins, orcas, whales and seals. Upon arriving at McMurdo Station, the hectic schedule of discharging cargo, refueling other vessels, cleaning tanks, loading storm ballast and giving ship tours to scientists and local workers all occurred efficiently and without incident. When you venture to Antarctica by sea, your mind always contemplates the experiences the early explorers enjoyed, or just endured. You consider the bone-chilling experience of surfing down 30 foot seas in 33-degree water, with 45 knots of wind trying to blow the rigging off the bare poles of a large square rigger. All the while, a helmsman struggles against the hydraulics of it all, and a captain fears the icebergs surely hidden in the cool fog. They were truly iron men and wooden ships. The soft sweep of the radar and clicking of the gyro repeater remind me how much things have changed. Today much of the iron is in the ship and her machinery, but I still see some iron in their eyes after pulling lines in a blizzard, wrenching out the Gieslinger, hand-steering for days through the ice or putting out meals in a rolling galley-a job well done, indeed. Capt. Robert Lee is master of the USNS Gianella, which is operated by Ocean Ships Inc. for Military Sealift Command and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers. Front Page       Return To Section-Front

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