James T.

James is 53 years old, American, and lives in North Port, Florida.

He is married and has no children, but says with his own sense of humour that he does have dogs: Hemi, a bullmastiff, and Mojo, a puppy he adopted from a shelter as a Chihuahua but who, after unexpected growth, turned out to be a Jack Russell.

He trained as an electrician and first worked on inland barges carrying materials such as sand and gravel in Ohio.

He moved to Florida when he decided to join the crew of the ship he has remained with ever since. He remembers the chronology very precisely: the ship had returned from a short mission to Abu Dhabi via Cape Town and reached Florida on 29 August 2011. James joined it five days later, on 3 September 2011. At that time a majority of Americans held engineering-room positions, whereas he is now the only one of that nationality still working in that role.

He accepted being hired at a lower grade while still earning more than he had in Ohio. Starting from the bottom, he earned promotion to engine-room electrician in four months and speaks with pride and gratitude about the recognition given to his efforts.

He says he learns something every day and appreciates the relationships that exist on the ship between sailors of every rank. The diversity on board, both of ethnic backgrounds and customs, has taken him from perplexity to boundless admiration, especially for the dedication to work shown by some.

He works six weeks on board followed by six weeks at home, seven days a week, on a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule.

His greatest satisfaction is undoubtedly having risen through the ranks through his work and in that way provided for his family. When he reaches the end of his career he imagines resting with a sense of fulfilment and enjoying the beneficial presence of his wife.

His worst memory is very recent, and he speaks emotionally of the anguished helplessness he felt when, tied to his duties, he followed through the media the progress of the hurricane that recently passed over Florida about sixty kilometres from where his house stands.