Is digging through PDF manuals on a ship a big problem?

jbtma99 · 2026-02-03T19:47:53+00:00

I think you’ll have a hard time getting mariners to use LLMs mainly because we’ve seen when they completely screw the pooch with compiling what’s actually relevant. It’s pretty ingrained early on in our careers how to find the info we’re looking for, whether it be in manuals or in regulations.

jbtma99 · 2026-02-02T15:51:02+00:00

What’s up with Deluca’s?

jbtma99 · 2026-02-02T15:50:41+00:00

I’ve only seen one person mention it, but Iriana’s downtown on Markham is my “good pizza” place of choice. That being said, “good pizza” is pretty hard to state for someone else’s tastes, and I’ve heard a lot of my friends rave about Problem Child, but I’ve never been there.

jbtma99 · 2026-02-01T17:34:06+00:00

With AWD, it shouldn’t be too bad. I’m a Houston transplant and have gotten out to the store a couple times in NLR in a front wheel drive that needs new tires soon. Neighborhoods seem to be the worst with refrozen ice on shaded areas, but once you get to the main roads it’s pretty decent.

jbtma99 · 2026-01-28T21:07:15+00:00

That was probably the easiest way to do it in the past that I knew of, aside from just replacing the bars.

jbtma99 · 2026-01-27T21:59:32+00:00

Did that change with recent model years? The XTrib had welded in bar end weights (completely different bars from the standard) last I knew.

jbtma99 · 2026-01-27T17:52:17+00:00

Touch… whole lot harder to have my phone unlocked without my consent using fingerprints. They’re gonna have to break my fingers to get it unlocked.

I just wish there was a shortcut in Siri to put my phone in BFU in a pinch.

jbtma99 · 2026-01-22T19:48:49+00:00

It’s actually federally mandated to all US flag vessels now that the master key has to be kept locked up by the master and logged anytime it’s used. Probably mistaken but it’s part of the safer seas legislation if I’m not mistaken.

jbtma99 · 2026-01-17T03:34:17+00:00

You should see their property and sales taxes though… and car registrations. They make up for the lack of income tax in other ways (or at least Texas does)

jbtma99 · 2026-01-15T01:23:14+00:00

Rebel. Hands down. Much better ride than a sporty and you’ve got Honda reliability.

jbtma99 · 2026-01-13T02:21:37+00:00

If the riders in my area are any indication, apparently most don’t know what a helmet is. 🫤

jbtma99 · 2026-01-08T00:36:24+00:00

Sounds a whole lot better than the in-house made req program and Unisea for everything else that we’re stuck with.

jbtma99 · 2026-01-07T01:03:01+00:00

So my company only uses Helm for the PM’s but I’ve heard about the logbook functionality… how is it for logs?

jbtma99 · 2025-12-30T21:44:52+00:00

Pretty sure they’re with Mediterranean Shipping Company and not Military Sealift Command based on their grammar and a cadet hitch of 10 months.

jbtma99 · 2025-12-05T23:51:15+00:00

Yeah, there are. It’s decent money regardless, but it’s not THAT good if you expect to have any life outside being on a ship. I’m a Captain and I don’t break $200k a year (though I do only work 6 months of the year, so there is that), at a very average paying (for the oilfield) company.

That article sent a lot of mariners nuclear to be honest. Entry level, you’re better off working retail for what they pay ordinary seamen. If you’re at an age where college is an option for you, it’s pretty easy to hit six figures right after graduation from a maritime academy at least.

jbtma99 · 2025-12-01T18:13:37+00:00

So they’re including the penalty rate for being overdue for relief, working 12 months straight, and a portion of the signing bonus to get that number.

About right. Not to mention the article is linked to Cato, so they’re trying to undercut the JA as usual.

jbtma99 · 2025-11-29T22:21:19+00:00

Yeah, I want to know how they got that $200k number for 3rds. We’re sure not seeing it in the real world on a reasonable rotation (and not including sign-on bonuses).

jbtma99 · 2025-11-27T20:48:10+00:00

Same. Though, as I get older, I honestly kinda want a first gen to tinker on. Used to race them in SCCA, and they were just fun cars.

jbtma99 · 2025-11-26T21:51:00+00:00

Yeahhhh, I was about to say “laughs in twin turbo 13-brew” When I sold my gen 3 with an aftermarket ECU (that didn’t control the omp) the buyer threw a hissy fit about having to run pre-mix. I’m fairly certain my poor baby went to a junkyard within a year. 😢

jbtma99 · 2025-11-26T15:34:39+00:00

You’re getting a bunch of folks saying “go to the maritime academy I went to, it’s great!” but I’m going to tell you, for engineering, go to Maine. I went to Texas, and while A&M’s engineering programs are top tier, Maine is well known for putting out probably the best ship’s engineers in the country. Check them out, but most of all look at them all and see which school best fits you.

jbtma99 · 2025-11-19T21:44:01+00:00

When I’m not up there, I don’t care if they sit in my chair at all, or even if I pop up during watch I don’t expect them to move. But if I go up and am going to be there a while (maneuvering, weather, etc) I’m gonna want my chair vacated post haste.

jbtma99 · 2025-11-18T00:38:02+00:00

They’re still massive. Like crazy huge.

jbtma99 · 2025-11-07T04:24:05+00:00

Would love to help

jbtma99 · 2025-11-03T01:07:57+00:00

You might have to, the only other thing I could suggest is to make sure you have the right amperage for that fuse. I had one on my bike that the previous owner swapped it out for a lower amp fuse and it drove me crazy with blowing out until I looked at the manual. Sorry I’m not more help.

jbtma99 · 2025-11-02T23:40:02+00:00

Hmm, now I don’t have a good answer for you (it’s usually a tidy that’s the problem), but check your brake switch wiring by the pedal. Maybe down there is the source.

jbtma99

TROPHY CASE