The third mate on the Qingdao ship

The third mate from Qingdao is the only senior crew member from Chinese mainland on this cargo ship. I remember that the third pair seems to be two or three years older than me. She just had three pairs that year.

Because all the officers are British or from China and Hong Kong SAR, and there are one or two Indians and Bangladeshis.

At that time, China was still in its infancy, and not only the junior crew, but also the third mate was relatively excluded.

Three gold-rimmed glasses, with soft hair and white skin, look like a weak scholar.

Because Qingdao is very close to Yantai, if you go abroad, you will be a fellow villager. So I became good friends with the third mate on the freighter deep in the ocean.

The third mate is mainly responsible for fire fighting and life-saving drills on board. Also assist the captain and the first mate to perform some other specific work.

I remember that there was an English typewriter in the third room, and the type was not used now. It was more advanced at that time.

All documents issued on the ship are printed in three copies, signed by the captain and posted on the billboards at the gates of two restaurants.

My third mate and I are equally young, and we have a lot of spiritual communication after work. They also gave each other encouragement when they were depressed.

The third officer can't get used to Taiwan Province food, and he is not interested in western food and Hong Kong-style Cantonese food.

I have a good relationship with the second chef, so the second chef will give me one of the delicious dishes, such as jiaozi, wonton and steamed stuffed bun.

I always give half or all three pairs. Let the third mate feel the taste of hometown.

The third mate will also take care of me, and the senior crew will send out several boxes of instant noodles every month in case of extra meals on weekdays.

I remember it was the "top one" in Japan, and it tasted really good, especially curry. Until now, I remember that the top one with curry flavor always goes to the supermarket to find a circle, but now there are so many instant noodle manufacturers that none of them make curry flavor.

The third officer is on duty at two o'clock (8: 00-12: 00). Usually I go to the ground after dinner with the second chef, but the duty time of the third mate determines that we can't go together. It's a pity that I couldn't take a photo with my third pair.

But I can't forget those days at sea. The third mate taught me a lot about sailing. We imagine the future together in each other's cabin and encourage each other when we are homesick.

I remember that the third mate was sent abroad from Qingdao base of the State Oceanic Administration. At that time, there was no scientific research ship in the State Oceanic Administration, and the third mate came out for internship and was also preparing to go back to pick up the scientific research ship.

Two years later, the "Snow Dragon" shouldered the heavy responsibility of the country and embarked on the road of investigating the mysteries of the North and South Poles. I believe the third mate will make the first polar expedition on the Snow Dragon.

After returning home, I wrote a letter to my third mate. Later, because I went abroad again, I didn't contact him for 30 years.

I think of the young three pairs tonight, the midnight snack we had together, and the tears that three pairs shed when they were homesick.

When we are all young, we should become friends and imagine our own future.

At that time, the future has come, so I wish my young friends a better tomorrow.

Bless you, Qingdao Third Officer.

By the way, six months after the publication of this article, I contacted the third officer in Qingdao, who has grown into a bureau-level cadre.