Watch This

I've been on Pirate Watch in the Strait of Malacca, between the coasts of mainland Malaysia and the Indonesian Island of Sumatra. Nothing worse than watching for a bunch of rowdy Indonesians with a boat and a riflle, while armed with nothing more than radio and cigarette lighter.

I've been on Shrimp Watch, and OK, that's worse; staring at a monitor, watching shrimp fucking.

I've been on Fishing Boat Watch all over the world. Running around at high speeds in a diesel-powered jet boat, pounding on the hulls of small fishing vessels with a sledge hammer; waking up sleepy, hung-over fisherman to tell them that they are about to be run down by a 400 ton ship towing 48 miles of gear.

I've been on Gangway Watch in ports, everywhere. Holding back the homeless, or oppressed people who want a way out of their lives, any way out.

Terrorist Watch in Singapore. That was just sad.

Today, I spent some time on a new watch; Lightning Watch. See lightning; call the instrument room on the radio and announce you saw lightning. I've always loved lightning and I hate that my job has now sucked all the joy out of a good old thunder storm.

***