From Miami to Norfolk: The Drydock Adventure of Rob’s SGM

In this episode Rob takes listeners on a behind-the-scenes journey of his time as a Sea going maintenance (SGM) aboard the P&0 Sky Princess. The story begins in bustling Miami, where the ship was bustling with life, ready to transition to its scheduled drydock in Norfolk, Virginia. Rob recounts the logistical challenges of coordinating such a move, sharing insights into the preparation needed for transitioning a ship from full operation to maintenance mode. Along the way, he paints vivid pictures of the people who made the journey memorable. One of the most dramatic moments of the episode involves a serious issue with the steam lines. Rob dives into the harrowing tale of discovering a fault that threatened to disrupt operations—and how the team worked tirelessly to resolve it. From diagnosing the problem to executing a creative, last-minute fix, it’s a story of teamwork, quick thinking, and a bit of shipboard ingenuity. Throughout, Rob reflects on the unique camaraderie of life at sea, the challenges of balancing leadership with the technical demands of the job, and the bittersweet feeling of leaving Miami’s warm shores for the industrial hum of Norfolk’s shipyards.