This morning they were serving waffles at 9.30 with lots of different toppings like cream, sugar, butter, maple syrup, peanut butter, coconut, chocolate and sprinkles. Mmmmm!!
It was becoming evident that things were starting to kick off in the surrounding area and there was a possibility that we wouldn't be allowed to leave the ship. We were supposed to be going to the Hope Centre this afternoon from 13.30 to 16.30 to be and play with the patients. This was starting to look doubtful. The captain (my brother-in-law) then made an announcement over the tanoy whilst we were eating lunch (which everyone just stopped dead to listen to!) that no-one was to leave the ship because of the riots. It is complicated, but it is all to do with the president and political parties as the president hasn't done things right. He has missed his window for announcing the elections for the national assembly as they couldn't agree on how to do the elections and was keeping people hanging on so the people have started riots between the tribes. They have been starting fires, throwing rocks, fighting, rioting and using tear gas etc. One person has died and several others seriously injured so it is really bad.
Obviously the captain is responsible for everyone's safety, so he had to make the decision to keep everyone on the ship. This has implications for lots of people. Some crew members were already off the ship at clinics etc, so they couldn't get back. Crew doing airport runs couldn't get back as they would have to go through riots and the officials had closed some of the roads. They just had to stay put for the time being. Some of the day workers on the ship were unable to get home, so provision was made to feed them an evening meal and a local church was offering somewhere for them to stay.
When you leave the ship at any time you have to swipe your card and sign out stating where you are going so they can locate you if they need to. If people have mobiles they have to make sure their number is registered with reception so that contact can be maintained and progress communicated.
We had also planned to go out for dinner tonight, but that also had to be cancelled. It just wasn't worth the risk.
Some people managed to get back later in the evening when things had calmed down a bit. We decided to watch a film and eat popcorn instead!
Tim was constantly monitoring the situation. He has good links with the local police, army and other officials and attends security meetings to keep up to date with what is going on in this and surrounding countries, as they have to be ready to leave if things kick off big time.
Today showed us even more the responsibility Tim holds for the crew, day workers and patients and the MASSIVE decisions he has to make as captain of this ship. This is why he never switches off! He is one amazing guy!
Well you're really being given a flavour of all they have to cope with. Do Royal Mail know you may not get back til April?!!!
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