Chapter 636 - 288: A Second-Hand Research Vessel? (2)

The smell of engine oil in the cabin and the roar of waves hitting the ship have become the background of his youth.

Because he was willing to endure hardship and loved to study, within a few months, he transitioned from an apprentice to a formal technician, not only capable of independently handling minor faults in the main engine’s cooling system but also acquiring the skill of fault diagnosis by sound.

A few years later, he obtained his first advanced seafarer certificate in his career and switched to a nearshore engineering ship, taking the position of third engineer, primarily responsible for managing the ship’s auxiliary engines, fire control systems, and deck machinery.

On that ship, he encountered a major malfunction for the first time.

At that time, the sea was very rough, and the ship’s operation was interrupted due to the sudden shutdown of the auxiliary engine. He braved the turbulence to drill into the engine room and, familiar with the equipment, completed the restart in just over 20 minutes, which amazed his peers.

After that, it took several more years before he was promoted to second engineer and boarded a ten-thousand-ton oceanic bulk carrier.

This was also his first time transitioning from nearshore to offshore voyages, and on that route, he accumulated international navigation experience, not only passing the maritime English listening test but also mastering many relevant international convention requirements.

Later, with solid qualifications and technology, he finally moved to their provincial marine research institute, marking his first transition from a cargo ship to a research vessel.

Although there was no longer a requirement for speed, there was a higher demand for equipment stability, low-speed maneuverability, and compatibility with research equipment.

During this process, he completed many important tasks, participated in the modification of research vessels, and was recognized as the institute’s annual technical backbone.

Ten years ago, he finally boarded "Explorer No. 3".

Thus began his bond with this ship.

Only "Explorer No. 3" made him truly feel a sense of belonging.

During his ten-year service on "Explorer No. 3", Chen Tiefeng and his team completed dozens of scientific missions, with the ship never missing a target due to power system malfunctions.

Under his assurance, Explorer No. 3 consecutively passed the maritime bureau’s annual inspections with zero defects for 10 years; he also spent his spare time writing the "Small Research Vessel Equipment Maintenance Manual".

Afterward, during a mission near the Antarctic Zhongshan Station, he ensured the ship’s power system ran stably at a negative 20-degree low temperature, earning him the title of Outstanding Chief Engineer from the maritime bureau.

His son took out the marinated dishes and put them on the table, and only then did he realize his father had already drunk all the beer, annoyedly saying, "You didn’t even save me some."

Then he went to the refrigerator to get a few more bottles.

Chen Tiefeng didn’t explain, he just kept drinking.

After drinking for a while, a touch of intoxication appeared at the corner of his mouth: "You brat don’t understand a damn thing, let me tell you, every urgent repair, every journey together, is an inseparable part of my life."

"Explorer No. 3 carried me through countless dangers and witnessed my professional growth and life stages."

"The most recent was four years ago in a South Sea research mission, where we rarely encountered a level 7 severe storm. At that time, your old man braved the wind and rain to reinforce the equipment, almost getting killed by giant waves on the deck, my knees were bleeding from the impact."

"But I clung to the securing line until all equipment was safely transferred to the cabin."

"After the storm, I checked the hull and found that although there were some scratches on the side, the double bottom structure was intact, and the weld seams showed no deformation."

"That’s why I firmly believe in the reliability of this ship; it was after that voyage that you, the brat, got into college."

His son laughed heartily, drank a mouthful of beer, and said, "You keep bringing this up, Dad... you went out to sea so often, you missed all the important moments in my life."

This remark plunged Chen Tiefeng into silence.

Indeed, due to his years at sea, he owed his family, which is why his wife divorced him; thankfully, when they divorced, the brat had already turned 18 years old.

But precisely because of his family debts, "Explorer No. 3" became his spiritual support instead.

His familiarity with "Explorer No. 3" had long reached the level of identifying faults from sound.

The change in speed when the main engine runs, the subtle noise when the auxiliary engine starts, even a slight anomaly, without any detection instruments, he could pinpoint the problem accurately just by ear.

To better maintain this ship, he personally drew up a set of equipment health records, densely annotated, detailing each machine’s repair time and spare part replacement status, even precisely marking the position of easily worn parts, its detailed extent far exceeding the ship’s original manufacturer’s technical manual.

But now, this ship is about to retire.

Although he is still full of energy, he suddenly feels as if he has lost the motivation to sail.

This feeling is like a cavalry suddenly losing a steed that has accompanied him for many years.

Even if he were given a new ship, he knows he could never again care for it with the same attention and enthusiasm as he did for "Explorer No. 3".

Some feelings are etched into time together with the ship.

His son, while drinking beer, suddenly asked out of the blue: "You like this ship so much, why not go with it? If this ship is bought, whether by someone or a unit, it would still need a chief engineer when it goes back to sea, wouldn’t it?"

Chen Tiefeng glared at his son with annoyance: "I wish it would be that kind of good thing."