[mmichaels1970]

The old girl was past her prime; it was hell keeping it up and running.

So was Moinester FF 1097. We would depart Mobile AL and always end up broken down in Jacksonville. Got to know the bars and their daily specials on JAX beach VERY well.

I remember once pulling into Caracao Island. We were all excited until the skipper got on the 1MC and announced that they would be pretty much "rolling up the sidewalks" when we pulled in, so there'd be no liberty.

As we're pulling in, we see it all lit up. Can see the bars hopping, people screaming at us from the shore, and just a wild party going on.

Immediately after tying off, we hear "Moinester Departing!" over the 1MC. We about mutinied. I remember a heated debate about whether or not to throw a floor buffer overboard.

[TontoKowalski]

Must be something about the Old Men from the FF's.

He was a completely self-righteous little dictator. Most sailors have a love/hate relationship with the Old Man. Not this guy. He was universally hated, from the wardroom on down.

I cannot remember a time when he could have done a good thing for his crew and seized the opportunity. He was a dick.

Now, the guy who relieved him was universally loved. Not that he had to do much to earn it. He just had to not be the other guy. LOL In all seriousness, he was a good guy.