Maintenance is low, he explains, basically because the whole thing is made of concrete cells with very few moving parts!

The OIM seems to know all the answers.  It is a pleasant job compared to the Oil industry where the he worked before… the company likes to promote the 'green' side of its image, emphasising the environmental advantages of keeping these huge ships out of the harbours, combined with the clean-fuel production and CO2 removal.  Some of the faster vessels are nuclear powered, again helping to reduce emissions.  A good bit of his time is taken up on PR, and he likes to show reporters and environmental groups his clean and efficient domain.
He also enjoys the expression on the faces of the visiting politicians when they see the untaxed revenue being generated here by such a small workforce!  We can load containers in half the time and for one third of the cost of the best conventional port, he boasts, and there is absolutely no paperwork!

His total crew at any time is 24, with another 20 on leave onshore, awaiting their rotation.  Of the 24, Container and Ship Handling occupies 6, Maintenance 4 (dayshifts only), Security 4, Housekeeping 4 and Admin 6.  As with most small teams, medical, pilot and radio duties get shared around.  Accommodation is first class, and although they don't have dancing girls, the visiting captains are always hospitable, which makes for a pleasant change of scene.  There is a squash court and a tennis court for when the wind will allow.
There was talk at one stage of building a casino, but the container business has grown beyond recognition and the two just don't mix!
Of course, television and internet reception are terrific with a clear line-of-sight to so many satellites.

Cargo planning is now co-ordinated not just with the ships, but between the offshore UWM's themselves… rather like the internet, packages of cargo are sent between these major hubs by whatever vessel is most convenient, thus optimising ship usage and dominating international container haulage.  The smaller companies are limited to shuttling from the UWM's to national markets.  No local economic crises ripple the bulk of international trade.  The company's shareholders also like the fact that the UWM can be moved to a new location, as logistics/ politics require… imagine doing that with a conventional port!

After a good meal, accompanied by the best (duty-free) wines, you say your farewells.  It is 250 miles to the nearest land, and you are glad that you have got a lift back on the chopper.  The big, two-rotor bird will get you back to 'civilisation' in about an hour, and although it produces a bit of CO2, it is good to realise that it is 'just a drop in the ocean' compared with what the UWM is removing.  How long will it be before the long-promised 'green revolution' comes, and we will all be using renewable energy?

Roger  Clark
STEP 2000