SS Comet AKR-7 Part 5: MARE ISLAND DRY DOCK SCENES August 5, 2015

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1 After leaving Independence Park, headed to Mare Island via the Mare Island Causeway, and noted that it was still traffic only in the westbound direction, meaning that in order to return to Vallejo, would have to return via Railroad Avenue and Highway 37. Parked on the other side of the fence from Drydock Number 2 at 3:55 PM after traveling 89.3 miles on the trip The situation at 3:59 PM. MV America is pushing SS Comet from the North. The chicken wire is wide enough to stick a camera lense through, but taking a photo might be tricky since in order to take the proper photo, may have to bend the fence a bit. SS Comet AKR-7 Part 5: MARE ISLAND DRY DOCK SCENES August 5, 2015 There was only one other person watching the movement of SS Comet into the drydock. Do regular news searches for Mare Island using Google News on the internet, and during the searches noted no news articles about SS Comet. When I was at Independence Park, several people asked me what was going on. Capstan crew at 4 PM. Note MV America pushing from the North, and the white marker float in the drydock. SS Comet will be brought into the drydock until her bow is not far from the maker float. Judging from the hawser being in the water, the winching operation recently started.

2 Capstan crew at 4:01 PM. SS Comet at 4:03 PM.

3 SS Meteor at the pier and SS Comet entering Drydock Number 2 at 4:07 PM. MV Pacific Star pushing SS Comet into drydock at 4:12 PM

4 USCGC Polar Star in Drydock Number 3, and MV Pacific Star in the background pushing SS Comet. MV America pushing SS Comet from the North at 4:18 PM.

5 SS Comet at 4:22 PM. Judging by the hawser still in the water, would not be surprised if most of the movement is caused by the pushing activity of MV Pacific Star. SS Comet at 4:23 PM.

6 SS Comet at 4:51 PM. Note that the starboard anchor chain is even with the white float. Line crews at 4:53 PM.

7 SS Comet at 5 PM. Looks like the line crews are leaving. White marker buoy is very likely even with the starboard anchor chain.

8 At 5:04 PM, looks like quitting time. After taking the last photo, did not stay in the area much longer. Did not note a crane with a basket attached to pick up the line crew who rode SS Comet from Suisun Bay, and because of the detour via Highway 37, wanted to get to the fishing pier before the drydock gate was closed. At 5:20 PM after taking a detour via Highway 37, arrived back at Independence Park opposite Drydock Number 2, after traveling 94 miles on the trip. Noted that SS Pacific Star had the drydock gate and was traveling South towards the drydock. MV Pacific Star with the drydock gate at 5:23 PM. Decided to take additional photos from the fishing pier where better photos can be taken since there would be less challenges with the sun. Am not particularly fond of taking photos from Vallejo in the afternoon because the sun gets in the way.

9 MV Pacific Star with drydock gate at 5:28 PM. From the fishing pier there is a better sun angle. To the left of MV Pacific Star is USNS Salvor, and to the right is MV Rhea and SS Meteor. Arrived at the fishing pier at 5:25 PM after traveling 94.2 miles on the trip. USNS Salvor

10 MV Rhea, SS Meteor, and USS Hoga. A tug such as MV Rhea could easily tow a ship and USS Hoga to Brownsville, and USS Hoga could be towed from there easily to East Little Rock.

11 Pacific Star closing the drydock at 5:37 PM.

12 MV Pacific Star a alongside MV Rhea at 5:41 PM after closing the drydock gate. MV Pacific Star heading home at 5:44 PM.

13 The closed gate of Drydock Number 2 at 5:47 PM. Departed the fishing pier at 5:50 PM. Headed back to San Jose via Interstates 780, 680, and 280. Because of a long day, did not feel like cooking. Arrived at a Taco Bell located southwest of where I live at 6:59 PM after traveling miles on the trip and ordered a Taco Salad to go. Arrived home at 7:14 PM after traveling miles on the trip. After eating the taco salad got some rest, but the rest did not last long. Mike McCullough