"That reminds me.. is this boat named the Minnow, by chance?"

 "Tranlates as Wave Bait actually" grins Capt'n Kim

Darryl addressed everyone present as the morning grew later.

"All right. Looks like the boat is finally ready. Make sure you have all the gear you need. It's stopped raining, at least for now, perhaps the weather will hold long enough for you to get there."

In reply to Darryl 'Sabio' Weaver (msg # 149):

"I'd like to bring along my kayak. If you have a dinghy or other smaller boat I can handle that as well."

"I think advanced wet weather gear.... Sure Leaf, get with our captain and see if we can stow it, if we can, it's on."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 151):

There were Gore-Tex rainsuits available in Project stores, but no advanced open-ocean survival suits that would keep them alive if they went overboard in the ocean.

With all the people onboard it was getting to be a tight fit on the boat. A kayak would probably not be pushing it either way. They still had to decide whether they were going to take an inflatable raft, or tow/stow a Zodiac for ship-to-shore transfer.

Jimmy will attempt to get one of each, and make sure everyone has damn life preservers... and they had plenty of rope to lash things down.  This was going to be a rough one.

"life preservers???? That water is COLD. If that will make you feel better, find some if you can" Capt'n Kim shakes his head.

In reply to Captain Ly Cong Kim (msg # 154):

"Right, two boats.  I bow to the expert.  Maybe some lightweight space blankets everyone can carry in a pocket?"

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 155):

Acting as liaison to the team with the local Project supply depot, Darryl was able to obtain a 4-person inflatable dinghy. This was kept in a case and inflated via CO2 canister, and maneuvered by paddles.

The other was a 6-person rigid inflatable Zodiac. It was powered by an electric outboard motor.

"Do you want the Zodiac stowed on deck or towed behind? Depends on how much space you need, and the deck is already getting full."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Tue 10 Apr 2018.

"I will leave that up to the Captain, his boat, he will know where he wants it."

"Last chance to get a bag of Doritos folks, everyone good?"

Elliot is ready to board the boat. "I'm pretty sure I will have to throw up at some point, but other than that it should be a great boat ride." He smiles and stands ready to load up.

Lina stowed her pack and carbine below deck and then helped to bring aboard the team gear. While the others discussed where to put the zodiac and kayak, Lina made sure that all of the radios had compatible encryption keys and performed radio checks on the team channel and long range to the Morrow Base command post.

Capt'n Kim doesn't hesitate with the answer about the Zodiac "No question... we tow it. Standard procedure for a craft that size. New line or double it up, it looks expensive."

"Doritos???  (looks left, right and over the shoulder) Bring all you can in a unmarked box"

A slow nod.

"Yes, how about both.  Valuable asset."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 161):

The old fishing boat was lowered into the water and final checks commenced. Occasional showers of rain pelted them, then temporarily ceased. Gear was stowed on deck and in the deep holds that still reeked of fish. A portable raft was stowed on deck and a zodiac rigged on a tow rope behind.

"Anyone who dares sing it gets a double watch."

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 163):

Tina finished loading a ration pack into the tiny galley. She sighed, looked up at the rainclouds, then over at Jimmy. "Sing what, dare I ask? The theme song to a TV show I dare not name? Huh? I think I know which one!"

Taking his place out of the rain, Elliot rests his hands on the wood of the cabin and smiles at the others. "Let's go!"

Capt'n Kim ponders "Sponge Bob?"

Jimmy looks to the Captain, mildly confused.

"Fraid' I missed that one."

Lina, never having been much of a boat person, stayed on the dock until the last minute.  She stood by the stern line until the order to until was given to finally load up.

In reply to James (Jimmy) Gerrold MacGuire (msg # 167):

Having been deployed (frozen) in 1987 before WWIII (in 1989) there was no way Jimmy could know of the beloved local character known only as "Sponge Bob". Some time after the war, in the aftermath of the Plague and eruptions that wiped out most of the population of the Puget Sound, a survivor and refugee fleeing California named "Steve" had wound up in the Viet encampment in the northernmost reaches of the ruins of Seattle. Formerly a marine biologist, Steve helped the Viets recover lost skills in fishing and harvesting marine life to help them survive.

He was also an artist of sorts and drew cartoons and murals on the walls of some of the Viet settlement's buildings of an anthropomorphic sea-sponge character he called "Sponge Bob". further amusing the children by making up stories about Sponge Bob and his friends, his storytelling even including singing a made-up theme song for a TV show that would never be reproduced in this timeline, at least not until there were TV stations again! Like so many others Steve died in the winter of '96. But Sponge Bob was remembered and passed down to keep his memory alive and to amuse the Viet children for many generations.

That said the supplies and equipment were loaded. Passengers started embarking. It looked like only Captain Kim was willing to take this trip, although with the new engine there was much less need of a crew. Out across the slate grey waters of the sound a cold wet wind blew, driving on dark rain clouds before it although it hadn't started raining. Not yet.

In reply to Project Director (msg # 169):

Finding a cramped seat in the cabin next to the helm Leaf commented, "if the weather gets too bad, or we are not there before dark, I know of a few places we can drop anchor for the night."

Capt'n Kim smiling.  "Know of a few places myself. But after 60 clicks its a bit fuzzy. Glad to have someone who knows some more. AND PLEASE point them out even if we don't need to stop. Cause I'm going to start pointing them out as we pass the ones I know"