It may not be big, but it's heavy, nd it's storming out there. I'm going to tie it up securly with no slack against the ship. I think this will cause the least damage to your ship captain and the least damage to mine, as nothing is bumping aroung with the hulls.

We have a crane loady thingy. It is no problem to stow it in the cargo hold. We will baton our hitches when the storm starts...

My doctor says my nose would stop bleeding if I'd just keep my finger out of there...

Anyway, Gopher has the most experience with this sort of thing. If we're going to leave them tied to the Sea Ghost, slack or no slack to avoid damage?

Anyway, Gopher has the most experience with this sort of thing. If we're going to leave them tied to the Sea Ghost, slack or no slack to avoid damage?

No slack and double roped, forward and aft. Otherwise it will keep banging on the side... I still think we should bring it onboard, possibly after removing what makes it so heavy.... ;-)

Bringing on deck and securing it there should be much easier and quicker than trying to tie it so tightly to the side.

Bringing on deck and securing it there should be much easier and quicker than trying to tie it so tightly to the side.

Actually it can be done quite fast. I recall a time when I was in the Navy where we did a cold move, that is engine off, of a Destroyer with just manpower. We did that, and resecured it, in under an hour with only around 20 people. Tying up your cute little bath toy with four ropes should take 4 guys about ten minutes. But I'm easy. If you'd rather bring it onboard that could be better; how flat is the bottom of your boat?

Bringing on deck and securing it there should be much easier and quicker than trying to tie it so tightly to the side.

Let's do that, then...

It points down pretty far to occomodate the ocean's waves. But if we can bring it onboard, let's do that.

Actually it can be done quite fast. I recall a time when I was in the Navy where we did a cold move, that is engine off, of a Destroyer with just manpower. We did that, and resecured it, in under an hour with only around 20 people. Tying up your cute little bath toy with four ropes should take 4 guys about ten minutes. But I'm easy. If you'd rather bring it onboard that could be better; how flat is the bottom of your boat?

Interesting. I didn't realize something like that could be done so quickly. It doesn't really matter which we do, as long as The Minnow is safe. Whatever we do, we should do it now.

Captain, if we do bring The Minnow aboard, could you please make sure your crew doesn't do anything to it or its contents?

How many crew do you have, anyway? I've only three or four men... doesn't it take more than that to run a ship like this? 8-|

how flat is the bottom of your boat?

It seems to be completely flat except for four "bumps" that are for gliding it on the carpet or floor, making sure it doesn't scratch any surfaces. :-$

It seems to be completely flat except for four "bumps" that are for gliding it on the carpet or floor, making sure it doesn't scratch any surfaces. :-$

Yes, those come in handy for 'swooshing'. X-D

How many crew do you have, anyway? I've only three or four men... doesn't it take more than that to run a ship like this? 8-|

Ships like these typically have a crew of around 20, even ones that carry around 10,000 containers. Most of those are just there so there are three people awake at all times for watch keeping and to help with berthing. There really isn't much to do; computers handle most of the navigation and the engines are automated today. We have a lower crew due to the fact that normally run two man 12 hour watches. As for tying up, it isn't that hard. A rope goes over onto a bollard, it is looped onto the other ship, thrown back to the original ship, and then looped more over the original bollard. This is then done in reverse on the other ship. The hard part is your boat is far lower so it will be hard to tie it up tight enough.

It seems to be completely flat except for four "bumps" that are for gliding it on the carpet or floor, making sure it doesn't scratch any surfaces. :-$

I thought as much. It would be safer on board then, and we should even be able to push it around once it is on deck. ( :-D )

The ocean is so still and quiet all of a sudden.

I love the calm before a storm. *fart* although it does make me nervous... :-$

Yes, as Dan said, please make sure no one goes on my boat if we bring it on board. So what are we doing. I would think bringing it up would be safer for the boats.

Let's bring it on board, okay? *sweet*

*they bring the minnow on board*

Wow! That was easier than I thought!

Gee, this storm is looking like it's going to be a rough one. Remember when I said I thought it would break in a day? I guess I meant three... :-$

*Appears on deck for his cigarette break, and watches the others working to get the Minnow aboard.*

Man it is quiet round here.

Captain, I had a thought about the mystery containers. We might have some oxy-acetelene cutting gear on board. We could try cutting a hole in the side of one of the containers instead of going through the booby-trapped door. The only problem would be that this method would probably cause severe damage to the container's contents. What do ya think?

sever damage, huh?

Maybe we should wait...at least until someone could tell us what's in there.

Although, if someone does know and it's something important... 8-| maybe we can draw them out...

Okay, Jack, I've changed my mind, let's get your cutting equipment. Even severely damaged, I would just like to know what the cargo is. That may help us solve Stinky's murder. Hey any luck with the engine by the way? :-|

Why are you so obsessed with this container? It could just be nothing, but I may be wrong, so I wont get in your way.

Man it is quiet round here.

Quiet?! Are you kidding Jack!? We just winched on board a large boat. Carpet gliders or not, that makes a lot of noise. Were you were sleeping with noise cancelling headphones on or something?

Why are you so obsessed with this container? It could just be nothing, but I may be wrong, so I wont get in your way.

Don't know to be honest. But since it has a physics defying lock and it's own security gaurd with ninja training it has to be something better than 10 Bulldozers in it. I might even be the old Fabuland Paddle Steamer. I would love one of those.

Okay, Jack, I've changed my mind, let's get your cutting equipment. Even severely damaged, I would just like to know what the cargo is. That may help us solve Stinky's murder.

I'm with you here Capt'n. Open it, lock it, shove it over the side. Anything is better than doing nothing with it.

If it's not doing anything, you shouldn't throw it over, the person who owns it will probably be very, very mad, and who will he go to? The captain of the ship. Especially what this person went through to get this physics defying lock.

If it's not doing anything, you shouldn't throw it over, the person who owns it will probably be very, very mad, and who will he go to? The captain of the ship. Especially what this person went through to get this physics defying lock.

Not a problem. Containers fall over the side all the time. Just look at this photo;

Supposedly between 2,000 and 10,000 are lost each year. What difference would one more make?

UGh! I haven't seen that Columbo for what seems like days. I just wish something would happen around here!

Okay, I call a stripper pole dancing competition! X-D

I think it would be best to keep, if we do open it, maybe it could help us. Let's just do something, and fast, that storm is coming near!

I think it would be best to keep, if we do open it, maybe it could help us. Let's just do something, and fast, that storm is coming near!

Strip and dance on that pole, now!

*comes out of broom closet, where I've been hiding for...how long?*

We should throw it over. It makes noises. I bet it's the monster's cage!

Okay, I call a stripper pole dancing competition! X-D

Scotty! Strip, ya be-yatch! I got dollar bills ready! *sing* Woo-hoo! Yeah!