The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

[drjohn71a]

OH,Good, Jim,

With Dan there, we'll be able to see your activities from a "different" perspective as he reports in his future cartoon strips...

I know, any resemblance to real people and real happenings will only be 'coincidental'. So, if we see a toon about a guy crashing into a dock in an excursion boat, or a tree falling on a toy hauler RV, or a cat being tortured by too few belly rubs, we will all know it is certainly not YOU!

Thanks for posting,

John

 

[JamesTXSD]

OH,Good, Jim,

With Dan there, we'll be able to see your activities from a "different" perspective as he reports in his future cartoon strips...

I know, any resemblance to real people and real happenings will only be 'coincidental'...
John

Hi Dr. John,

We have been having a great time with the kids here. The weather has been perfect, the wildlife have been coming out right on cue, and the scenery is great. I can't imagine Dan will have anything to write about with this trip, because it is as far from "The Griswolds" type of vacation as possible. Of course, he does have an active imagination. :wink:

One of the gifts Steph and Dan brought me is a CD of summer songs... Dan illustrated the CD cover...



Yes, a caricature of the real Captain Jim vs the guy in the comic strip.

Yesterday we spent much of the day in the Old Faithful area; shot plenty of images of the geysers (not to be confused with geezers). Later that afternoon, we showed them the SunRoom at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel... classy environment... sipping wine while listening to a pianist (or string quartet) with a view of the lake.

We're heading out to check out the cut-throat trout on the Yellowstone River... they are spawning right now; may be some fish jumping up the rapids.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[JamesTXSD]

I got to meet Jay and Jolee from Hunky Dory late yesterday afternoon. It was an absolutely beautiful day in Yellowstone... I would have traded places with them in a heart-beat. 8) They are in a transient slip just across from the rental boat and scenic cruise dock... I'll get to look at Hunky Dory about a dozen times tomorrow as I come and go. On one of my last cruises, Jay was coming in in his Mokai (spelling?) as we were headed out - several of my passengers were pretty taken with that jet powered kayak.

Jay invited us to go for a ride on his boat while they are here... I hope we are able to make the timing work.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Have you heard the phrase "the truth shall set you free"? I'll let you know if that's true. The boat that I am running is a pretty impressive vessel... those three big diesels are amazing. The downside is the "fly-by-wire" electronic controls. We've been having issues with ECU (electronic control unit) failures, resulting in loss of engine/throttle/shifting control. The mechanic here doesn't have the necessary analyzer to plug in and see where the faults are occurring. I have brought the boat in with one engine and no steering indication on numerous occasions. Sometimes you can reset/restart, sometimes you can't. Other than having to leave the helm to go to the engine compartment to manually shut down an engine, passengers have not been aware. Yesterday, the mechanic switched ECU boxes to see if they can determine which box is causing the problem... and created a whole new set of problems: outdrive trim indicators reading inaccurately, steering indication reading inaccurately, engine sync non-functional. At the end of the day, I was tired and frustrated... I signed on to be a boat driver, not a test pilot... I drew the line last night at the end of my shift.

It remains to be seen if I am still employed here when I go in today. A real conundrum for me... I don't want to disappoint people who are looking forward to seeing the "heart" of Yellowstone - the lake. As a self-employed guy for most of my adult life, I don't understand this company's attitude regarding this marina... we are a very small part of their overall operation, and they don't pay much attention to our repair/maintenence requests. If it were me, I'd get someone from Volvo-Penta here with the proper equipment, find the problem and fix it. In a day. Instead, we have been messing with this, living with it, and working around it for over a month. Did I mention: frustrating?

 

[El and Bill]

So sorry to hear about the frustrations with the company and the engines. Sad how so many owners/operators of companies seem irresponsible and dumb! Hope things work out the better for you two and for the tours (and tourists). Thanks for the posts and keeping all of us up-to-date on your experiences.

 

[Steve Grover]

Jim,
Well at least it stopped snowing .
Welcome to the Resort Industry. Your cruise boat is a very important part of the overall guest experience to Yellowstone. Food service, guest housing and transportation, etc. all play a part in the overall guest experience. It is sometimes difficult to get the "powers to be" to focus on one area of the experience. If the guest was getting sick from the food service the "powers" might address the issue. :roll: At Resort Tahoe I found that addressing issues as SAFETY of the GUEST and LIABILITY to the COMPANY would sometimes get the attention deserved :roll:
Only a couple of months to go. Don't give IN. We have too much invested. We need the reports from the OTHER-SIDE.
Good Luck,

 

[JamesTXSD]

So sorry to hear about the frustrations with the company and the engines. Sad how so many owners/operators of companies seem irresponsible and dumb! Hope things work out the better for you two and for the tours (and tourists). Thanks for the posts and keeping all of us up-to-date on your experiences.

Thanks for the support, Bill. My new mantra has become, "Fix it or fire me." Apparently, they don't have the balls or ability to do either. It is a sad and appalling situation. I am working on overcoming my shyness :twisted: ... I have tracked down the phone number of the head of operations for Xanterra here at Yellowstone; I intend to find out if the "they don't care" policy indeed comes down from the top. Maybe I'll invite his family out for a cruise?

In the meantime, I have a struggle with: take care of the passengers, since the other captain and I are the most experienced with this situation... or refuse to run the boat and let someone with less experience take the boat out. I did that yesterday, and rode along as first-mate for the first two runs... yes, there were two failures and I came to the helm and worked the other (very experienced) captain through it. Then I took the rest of the day off. I visited with the other guy mid-day and asked if he wanted to run the boat today... he asked if I'd run it and he would be first-mate. So... a real conundrum. I have fun with the passengers... the boat is great, except for this very glaring fault - that could be easily corrected by getting someone from the Volvo factory out with the proper analyzer.

I'll keep you posted on how this plays out. I am willing to run this up the chain of command, since the mangers here won't. To a point. This was supposed to be another "adventure", not a crusade. I hope we are still here in August when you two come.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[JamesTXSD]

Goodness, this story gets more like a junior high school saga daily. Today, the young mechanic asked me if I had any failures yesterday or today (you can tell they're right on the ball). I told him, "Yes, two failures on the first run yesterday." He asked what they were and said he was going to change more ECUs around. I told him, "Keep your hands off my boat. You've messed it up enough and I am about to make the boarding call."

He didn't like that and walked off in a snit. It just so happened that I had a new Ranger with me at the time (we were discussing how to coordinate his interpretation with running the boat). I could tell I stepped on the mechanic's toes, so after that run I went to the shop to see what I could do to make things right. He said, "It doesn't matter 'cause you aren't gonna be around here much longer. I called my boss and told him that you swore at me."

Well, that was a flat-out lie. I don't care if I get fired because I stand up for a principle, but I'll be damned if some kid is going to lie his way to getting me canned. Fortunately, there was a witness to the conversation, the new Ranger. He said he would "testify" for me... again I nearly laughed... don't think it'll come to that.

When I finished my shift today, I spoke with the guy who is in charge of "everything that moves" for Xanterra. He listened, told me that they are "doing all they can", and did his best to assure me that this situation will be taken care of "as soon as possible, now that he knows the extent of it." Interesting, since I've been briefing my manager daily and he tells me that he sends the information up the line.

I said, "My manager tells me that he has been relating this to you for a month now. Who's not telling me the straight story - you or him?" After a moment of stammering, he assured me that he "cares" and will stay on this.

I'll bet he'll still respect me in the morning, too. :roll:

Oh well, we have the next three days off... maybe they'll get it all fixed up nice by then? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

So, not C-Dory related (other than the fact I visited with Jay on the VHF while taking the boat out on a test run early today); kinda boat related. I really considered leaving this crap out of my posts here, but thought there should be a dated public record.

---------------

It was a beautiful morning, then several small thunderstorms in the afternoon. I had to assure a young Ranger onboard that "yes, we will be fine."

"But, there's lightning!"

I told her, "I'm not going to do anything dangerous; we're fine, and we're going to have a good ride." Well, a bit lumpy south of the cell, but an interesting afternoon.

Best wishes,
Jim (boat captain, negotiator, baby-sitter, and truth-seeker :wink: )

 

[Doryman]

I really considered leaving this crap out of my posts here, but thought there should be a dated public record.

Not to mention that if you left it out we (I) would sorely miss my daily chuckle!

Warren

 

[AstoriaDave]

Jim,

Sounds like you are dealing with the classic situation: guy above in the hierarchy you has the responsibility but not the authority to solve the boat/engine problem. If he had some balls, be would punch through another layer to someone who does have the authority and get you some help.

Nutsoid for the organization to have that much investment in a vessel and not deal with the issue.

Hope it gets solved, for your peace of mind, and the safety and sanity of everyone else.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Thanks, Steve and Dave for your comments and suggestions. I did push the liability issue. In fact, when I spoke to the "all that moves" guy yesterday, I did mention the company's liability, the fact that there is a public record (http://captnjim.blogspot.com/ ), my personal captain's log, the daily squawk sheets we fill out, and the fact that he knows puts him into the "liability chain." I told him that when I refused to drive the boat on Sunday, it wasn't out of fear of ECU/engine/steering failures, it was because of the liability.

I figure if they're unwilling to spend a little money to get it fixed right, they should be VERY afraid of the liability of this boat crushing a small boat in a loss of control situation.

On the bright side, this opens up plans for next summer's cruising (and perhaps even plans for this summer). :lol:

----------------------------

So, how 'bout a little levity? There was no Captain Jim comic strip last week, since Dan and Steph were here visiting us. Here's the strip for this week...



Three days off... time to head to Cody for grocery shopping, lunch out, and some wireless broadband coverage (so I can download some iTunes podcasts). It's a beautiful drive. There's still SO much to like here.

Thanks for the words of encouragement, friends.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Papillon]

Jim,
It sounds like you need to work on your "People Skills"

There is nothing like having an employee who doesn't need the job, dosn't care what Upper Management butt he puts a fire under, in short you are Union Material.

I do hope you get the slugs to take care of the problem and you are around for the geathering planned later this summer at Yellowstone. I know everyone will want to hear the rest of the story so keep them there posteys comming.

By the way, my sailboat doesn't have any complex systems to act up...other then the loose nut at the tiller. Keep it Simple.

 

[marvin4239]

Hang in there Jim. What's probably going thru there mind is getting rid of you and hiring someone who will operate unsafe equipment. They also probably know if there is and accident God Forbid that you have documented safety concerns so hopefully they take the proper steps and correct the problem. I was in similiar situations my entire working career being employed in Industrial construction for sub contractors. I was also fired more times than David Crockets rifle but I went to the next job knowing I had done the right thing.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Thanks for the laugh, Mike... I can always count on you. Hope all is going well with you, Judy, the pooches, and ALL the boats.

Marvin, I don't think they want to get rid of me... who else are they going to get who will work in these conditions at these crappy wages? "Fired more than Davey Crockett's rifle..." Now, that's funny! :twisted:

I visited with the manager today; offered to quit so he didn't have any angst with firing me. He said he wants me to stay, and appreciates my principles. In reality, I think he is probably more worried about replacing Joan - she is a real asset at the front counter. 8) We are trying to work through what it will take for us to stick it out. I have been promised the ECU repair is on the front burner. He said he'd have a date of expected repair hopefully by tomorrow, and in the meantime has agreed to get the switched-around black boxes back where they belong.

I have a couple days to think about what we intend to do. When we owned our own business, I never got this worked up... guess I didn't have to depend on others or "work my way up the chain" to get things done. Maybe I should buy my own big ol' tourboat ? :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim (reading a self-help book on people skills)

 

[JamesTXSD]

I went for a ride last night. While I was gone, Joan got a call from the marina manager... the necessary equipment to analyze the ECUs is supposed to be on its way, overnight express. This may be the necessary fix that I've been waiting for. The "switched" black boxes are back where they belong.

Today is another day off for me, but I will visit with the other captain tonight to see what's really being done.

I'll keep y'all posted.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Will-C]

Jim,
We've never met, but I have read a lot of your posts, and I couldn't help think what interesting subject matter for the comic strip. Da mechanic, da boss, the newbie captains, da touristos, wildlife, etc. I would guess some of the folks out there might be a little jealous of all you represent. It's a good thing it's not the post office. Keep the Faith.
Regards
D.D. A C-Lurker but getting closer.

 

[drjohn71a]

Jim,

quote " In reality, I think he is probably more worried about replacing Joan - she is a real asset at the front counter. "

Apparentlly you did a good job of 'picking' when came to a wife! Hang on tight!

Anyway, I am appreciating your situation alot. Thanks for sharing.

I have my own business too and all that wasted adrenalin from situations like you are now in is why I hope I never have to work for another person. With the right staff, we mainly have fun all day at work.

John

 

[Dora~Jean]

Jim, I believe we all feel your frustrations, very tough. Here you are, with your wife, trying to combine a nice summer vacation in a garden spot of the world together with what should be a good experience on the business end. Not only is it untenable that they should even allow the operation of your boat with some major (repeating) failures of such, but it also puts you in a compromising position of dealing with whatever failures occur, maybe even at a last moment just before reversing to position the boat at the dock -- liability, yes!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, this is most interesting to see the 'other' end of a business and how money talks sometimes (tourist's money that is) to keep it flowing...

Best wishes that they get a handle on some of these problems and you get back to concentrating on why you're spending your valuable summer days at such a beautiful place.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Jim,
We've never met, but I have read a lot of your posts, and I couldn't help think what interesting subject matter for the comic strip. Da mechanic, da boss, the newbie captains, da touristos, wildlife, etc. I would guess some of the folks out there might be a little jealous of all you represent. It's a good thing it's not the post office. Keep the Faith.
Regards
D.D. A C-Lurker but getting closer.

Hi Dave,

Just trying to give our son-in-law material to draw from. :wink:

I'm keeping notes, and plan to write something when this "summer job" is done. The reality is certainly different from the perception. I had one sailor friend call it "a cube-farm in the great outdoors" :roll: ... I've never experienced life in a corporate structure; can't say that it's my cup of tea. Add another oxymoron to my list: corporate cruising. :crook

Thanks to you and others who have taken the time to respond. When dealing with a corporate "don't care" attitude, it is nice to reaffirm that there are still plenty of good folks with heart and soul.

While out yesterday, I had a woman come up and tell me how much she and her husband enjoyed the cruise on Saturday. She particularly liked how the interpreter and I "played off each other." Saturday was what I would consider my "draw the line in the sand" day... I was glad that didn't show to the passengers.

Going through the logs on this boat, the past two years have been trouble-free (that's when they re-powered with these Volvo-Penta engines and electronic controls). Prior to that, the old engines were very problematic... lots of canceled trips. The company spent a LOT of money on the re-power. The current problems with the boat could have been addressed much sooner. I've studied up on ECUs recently, and repair/replacement should be a snap. I have the suspicion that they will find the problem is with the 12v system and not the electronic control units themselves. I mentioned that a couple weeks ago... advice not taken. If it gets properly fixed, it doesn't matter where the solution comes from. If it doesn't... bye-bye.

Post Office? Don't even get me started.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[JamesTXSD]

A new development! I got a call from the marina manager today - the boat is getting all new ECU units. That is a victory. He then said that there is another issue: my public blog:

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/

He asked me to remove or modify what I had written... if not, they would "remove the resources from the boat repair."

I QUIT!

I will NOT be coerced, I will NOT be quiet. Xanterra was lax, bordering on negligent in the repair of the boat. It was only when I made things public that any serious action was taken to get the necessary repairs.

What I have written was all true. I told them that there was a facility on that blog for them to respond if they feel the need to support their inaction. I was told that the company will not respond.

We will turn in our uniforms and employee IDs today, as soon as possible. It will be our pleasure to put as much distance between us and this company as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Jim and Joan Bathurst