Once the vessel is loaded with cargo, whether it be in Dutch Harbor or at a peninsular port such as Sand Point, the ship begins to head back to Puget Sound. This return trip generally takes six to seven days.

After a short rest from cargo operations, the deck crew spends their time cleaning the vessel inside and out and doing maintenance chores such as slushing the cargo gear (applying lubricating oil to the outside of the wire rope of the cargo gear), lubing deck machinery, splicing mooring lines, painting, etc.

As usual, weather dictates what kind of work will occur on the southbound leg of the voyage. During the short summertime, the day is filled with maintenance chores. In the depths of winter, the entire crew may spend their time holding on for dear life as the vessel crashes through 30-foot seas.

Most of the time, the vessel will stop in Bellingham and Pier 90 in Seattle before heading to our terminal in the Seattle Ship Canal.