​From the Desk of a Retired Engineer: A High-Altitude Office Day

​It is such a thrill to see the tall ship flotilla arriving in Boston today to celebrate the 250th birthday of the USA. Among those majestic vessels is the German Navy training ship, Gorch Fock II. Seeing her name in the news immediately transported me back to May 1980.

​Back then, Boston was celebrating its 350th anniversary, and the Gorch Fock II was a star attraction then, too. At that time, I was working with Raytheon Marine Company, where I served as the radar instructor. We were proud to hold the contract to supply all German Navy ships with our navigation radar systems. When the ship arrived in Boston for the anniversary, we were invited onboard for a mix of public relations and marketing, as well as to conduct training for their navigation teams.

That's me training the officers.

During the visit, the crew mentioned a minor issue that required an adjustment to the antenna scanner. It turned out the antenna was located on a platform about halfway up the mizzen mast.

​Well, duty called! I found myself climbing the mast to reach the platform to perform the repair. I quickly learned that there was very little room to work—I essentially had to lay on my back to get the job done. It’s not every day an engineer gets an office view like that! It remains one of my most memorable "field" assignments, and I'm so glad I had my camera with me to document the experience.

Climbing the rigging on the mizzen mast.

Straddling the radar scanner on my backside.

​It’s truly amazing how seeing the Gorch Fock II arrive in Boston again can bring back such vivid memories of career milestones and professional adventures. Have you ever had a workday that took you somewhere completely unexpected?