What I like about this vlog is Joe spends most of the video on scenery with voice-over narration. Many of the other travel vloggers spend their time narrating with their face in the camera obscuring most of what you really want to see. Keep it up, Joe.

@BTScriviner

Жыл бұрын

There are a bunch of Japanese travel channels that don't even have voice overs, just subtitles.

@ShubhamBhosale2791996

Жыл бұрын

Exactly my thoughts, nobody wants to see vlogger's ugly face half of the time for no reaason.

I was blessed to had worked down on Ascension Island for several years at the airport, which truly was one of my favorite and best places that I had worked overseas. For those that don't know all that gravel was being used to totally rebuild the airfield runway which was in rough shape when I last worked down there. Ascension Island has a rich and very interesting history, awesome weather year round, and some of the best fishing that I have ever experienced. I hope that Joe and your crew got to spend some time on the island vs. being stuck on the ship. Great video and thanks for sharing.

@petermages9482

Жыл бұрын

Greetings! So my question to you is that Ascension Island gravel is of the wrong type?

@Cancun771

Жыл бұрын

The island is volcanic so you could probably quarry basalt and tuff and such, which are only used as specialty lightweight aggregates in concrete.

@samirsbairamovs7994

11 ай бұрын

Hello! Will you visiting Longwood house??

This has to be the most expensive gravel in the world. Super cool to see how it’s done. Thanks for sharing Joe!

@karlodomic2890

Жыл бұрын

Got to spend that military budget somehow

@jimlofts5433

Жыл бұрын

@@karlodomic2890 and organised with typical non military precision led by some lord or son of a baron etc - someone well connected by family and useless as tits on bull

@pileofstuff

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I've been trying to figure out what's so special about that particular stone to justify the cost.

@gordon1545

Жыл бұрын

@@pileofstuff I can't find information but in my experience there usually is a good reason. One factor might be that this is for a runway replacement, the entire island is volcanic, igneous rocks tends to be brittle and full of holes, so not ideal to have a fully-laden C-17 Globemaster III landing on it.

@pileofstuff

Жыл бұрын

@@gordon1545 I'm certainly not against Candian exports, but I'm surprised there isn't something suitable available a few less sea days closer. But what do I know, I'm no rock-ologist.

The pest control place I work at in Florida got paid to go to the Ascension Island to tent dozens of buildings at the military base for termites. Our crew guys loved working there. They got fed well at the base and got to fish after work. 👍

Midway through the vid I checked out Wikipedia on Asuncion Island. A blurb said they were working on the airport runway. They’re over 50% can complete and will complete it sometime in 2023. So that’s what all the rock is about. Nice spot you’re in. Ever think about dipping the fishing pole into that aquarium?

That's got to be some crazy expensive rock.

@TappanZee1234

11 ай бұрын

Yeah. Why would you haul rock to a volcanic island?!

@c0dy882

3 ай бұрын

Depending on the size of the rock this rock goes for $40-60$ per ton in Florida

British island, with a runway owned by America. Stone will be getting used to repair the current runway which is below standard for passenger aircraft to land on. Ex air force here who did a tour here 6 years ago, beautiful place and where I met my partner!

Joe - You are like the Mike Rowe of the sea... continued success with your vlog and content / stay safe.

@BTScriviner

Жыл бұрын

Joe's the real deal. Mike Rowe is just a poseur.

@davidpage3893

4 ай бұрын

Your narrations are very much like Anthony Boudaine.

That Tug Thomas is from the company I work for. I know that whole crew. I am on a 70’ 1,600 Hp tug called the Virginia. Really neat video combining my tow worlds. I too went to Piney Point, class 405 in the early 90’s. Ended up going the tug boat route being is it’s a little more forgiving if one wants a family. Great job.

@happyhippie2837

Жыл бұрын

Piney Point,LOL. I can remember at least 50 years ago the bus they used to transport new seamen down to Piney Point stopped at the 7-11 on the edge of our town,Waldorf,so guys could get their last bit of shit to take with them,it was still another 35-40 mile trip from there with NO PLACE to stop and get your last minute stuff.

@moceri55

Жыл бұрын

@@happyhippie2837 I was on the bus once. Thanks for the memory jog. Lol

@happyhippie2837

Жыл бұрын

@@moceri55 You wouldn't believe how much its grown between there and Piney Point now,its crazy. Always wondered what happened with those guys,now I know about at least one,LOL. I moved to Fl. over 30 years ago,too cold up there for me,hahaha

Amazing times we live in. This is better than Nat Geo or Discovery Channel.

In 1985, I was on a ship that went to Ascension Island. I think most of the cargo we discharged was in containers, I think 20 footers. Operation was kind of similar, but I think the barges were self-propelled. The stevedores were all from St. Helena. We were there less than a week. I got ashore for a few hours one day, but mostly were worked cargo and fished off the stern at night. During the day, swarms of small black fish surrounded our hull. At night, they went away, and then we saw lots of flying fish, dolphins and Amberjacks. Interesting for a few days, but for the weeks you were there, it must be boring. But, I think the 4th Rule of Tankers applies: you are responsible for your own entertainment.

@riggers6214

5 ай бұрын

Back in 1984, en-route to the Falkland Islands, had to sit around on deck aboard the SS Uganda for a few days before sailing south. About the only entertainment we had was trying to catch those black fish (Trigger Fish). They'd bite anything, sort of like Piranhas, so we'd use bent pins on a length of string, baited with bread rolls, which usually worked. Never got to land on Ascension Island itself though.😢

I lived at Ascension Island for a year, its a great place. Good video, Your Vlog is very well made. Not too much talking.

Taking the quality to a whole new level. Really straightforward presentation but still very interesting. I may never complain about the cost of backfill on project sites again.

Joe, your narration is 10/10. Ive spent many a year floating on CVN’s it’s nice to see how the other half lives. Do good things mate!

Absolutely fantastic video…. what a great life experience so very interesting… thanks Joe you’re the man

Very cool to watch. I wonder how many of us spent time as kids scooping up and dumping sand with our Tonka shovel and dump trucks.

Love these videos. Your no BS approach, telling it as it is, is a breath of fresh air. Please keep up,the great work.

I am retired nowadays, yet I think what choices I could have made for my career decisions. You are living my alternate life experience !

if you think about it, your ship is providing a very valuable service to the remote island. so ... good job!

The sea life around the ship is amazing! Thanks for another episode and more of your great storytelling, Joe!

@egomaniac247

Жыл бұрын

crazy how bountiful wildlife is when humans aren't abundant!

@stephenklein6761

Жыл бұрын

From the jetty by the BBC it looks like the big sea turtles are flying!

Nice to be hearing the sea story from a merchant seaman. I was at sea and loved it in the British merchant Navy when we had one !

Joe, I have learned so much watching your videos. I even get great pleasure watching them over and over. Get a load of this, at 76 yo I finally understand the job of a Merchant Marine. I always thought that was an arm of the army. Thank you for sharing in such interesting detail.

I was at Ascension Island back in 1970. It was a voyage from New York outbound to South Africa but one of the crew got appendicitis. We altered course to put him off at Ascension and catch a plane to Recife Brazil. It was close run thing, but he made it through OK and met us at the dock in Brooklyn when we returned a couple of months later. Ascension is this amazing place in the middle of nowhere. 👍

@clarkpj1

Жыл бұрын

I was there for a total of 5 years between 1974 and 1979 at the NASA tracking facility. Truly an amazing place.

Great vlog as always! Paradox: you take many small rocks to one big rock. Lol! Keep up the good work! Be safe! Yes, to empty the ship is like to empty a bucket with a tea spoon. It will take time. Who will pick up the tab? The UK dep of defence, or the UK tax payer if you will.

@ike1660

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I'm curious what the price per tonne of gravel is after all this. Almost as expensive as just putting it on pallets and flying it over on military transport planes haha.

Thank you for being calm and relaxed just presenting operations with procedures. Interesting and informative. I appreciate learning about a fascinating industry few get to see and experience. Shipping. Transportation. Routes. Ports. Countries. WAY TOO COOL

In this world of doom and gloom seeing all that marine life around the ship was great🎉🎉

I stumbled across this at lunchtime today…. And have been binge watching since. Fascinating! I believe this is what I was meant to do and completely missed my chance 😞 Brilliant, mate. Keep them coming. New subscriber from Tasmania, Australia!

Seeing the waves crashing on the far left shore at 13:00, was REALLY cool!! Thanks Joe!! I really enjoy your videos!!

I spent a few years working on offshore oil rigs as a mudlogger (think a 3rd party subcontractor who logged drilling parameters and looked at the material coming out of the hole, so I wasn’t one of the merchant marine crew that were needed on floating rigs). It was very much a ship-like atmosphere, but everything revolved around drilling hole. My trade was never on a rotation, we went out there when they were ready for us, and we stayed until they sent us in. So I can definitely relate to the depressing feeling of having no idea when things were going to finish up! The longest I ever spent offshore in one stretch was 26 days, but I had friends or acquaintances who were out for 3 months or more. Possibly (definitely) a few of those guys were hiding from arrest warrants, so it kinda worked for them! But the main reason I am commenting is after chatting with some of the marine crew is wondering what life was like on a classic merchant ship; was it better? Was it worse? What was a typical day like? Did “typical days” even exist? So with that in mind, here I am 20 some years later and you are really helping to answer those questions, so thanks!

Bulk ships may not pay that much but those ships give best of the sailing and marine life experiences ❤❤❤❤

Another great film. Thanks, Joe. Just amazed not to see the obligatory ship-at-anchor shots of the crew leaning over the rail fishing. I can't recall ever being at anchor anywhere in the world without half the crew trying to catch dinner, even in anchorages where the water looked a whole lot less wholesome that you seem to have!

Can’t wait to start my journey, wanted to be a sailor my whole life but didn’t think military was right for me but now at 26 I think I’ve found a calling and it’s been full steam ahead since I made the decision

Love your work Joe. Thanks for letting us all into your world. Stay safe out there.

Thanks for sharing with us Joe!

Great stuff, love the details of the ins and outs of the job.

What a doozy of an episode! Thanks for sharing, Joe! That’s a lot of stone!

Spent 6 months on the island with the RAF in the late 80’s. Wonderful place.

I really enjoyed this trip. Thank you for sharing something I would never have envisioned. Beautiful views!

This is a once in a lifetime trip! Thanks for sharing! Definitely different than moving stone around the Great Lakes!!

As usual these are fantastic videos and so different than anybody else out there. You go Joe

As always, I appreciate your videos. Learn something new every time. Take care and thanks you.

Hi Joe, i am a merchant mariner too, and i am now in a supply boat, giving service of spot housing in a salvage job of a wellboat vessel wreckage.. so i understand you very well..😂😂.. I am from the south of chile.. Soon im gonna load up videos.. of my job..

👍😎🤘 nice work!!!

Enjoying your adventures! 👌

Great video! Its amazing how deep blue the water is.

Outstanding educational video, Keep up the good work !

I always look forward to your updates, love the content!!!

More good stuff! An awesome channel. Thanks, Joe!

Great videos, can’t wait to see the next adventure

incredible drone shots.

yo joe! thank you for this well edited relaxing video great video of the rock cascading into the barge and wow what amazing sunsets

Wow, I never expected our grabs at Ascension Island. Thank you for that film.

Nice vid. I think you will find it's a massively important airforce base.

Excellent Video.

Entertaining as always.

Another excellent video Joe, thanks for posting!

Awesome video.

Great to see you again - super video :) Thanks -

We are going to see the World through Joes camera lens........Thanks Joe !!!

A particularly interesting episode. The amount of critters swimming around the ship at night was amazing. I was surprised that there isn't a port there, but with ~800 people, I guess there isn't a great need.

Really nice video..

awesome....

Thanks for all these videos, Joe. They are amazing to me. I know it is hard work, but I worked physically hard for 43 years before i retired. In another life, I would like to have worked on the sea somehow.

Thanks for the video, really enjoyed it. Landed at Ascension, only there whilst aircraft was refilled etc, on my way to & from the Falkland Islands in 1999 for a 4 month Tour of Duty. Some guys I know went to Asi for R&R, great sea fishing and mountain biking apparently.

You do great ship videos !!!

Always entertaining!

Nice one man, good to see you and your rockin' videography back.

Awesome video. Makes my 28 days on, 28 days off on a coastal container ship sure look easy. Keep up the good work bro

Very interesting showing us what goes on Fun to watch. Thanks for the show From New York

Joe that work you do must be one be of an adventure thanks !

It’s an awesome place. 👍The dark of night is incredible as there is no light pollution. The sea is so clear. 👍👍

Hey Joe. Love all of the vids. It would be awesome if you did a rundown of what you bring with you when you board a ship. How much clothing, what types, shoes/boots, work clothes, work gear, personal stuff, entertainment, etc. It would be helpful for anyone who is looking to take on their first contract as an OS or AB.

@JoeFranta

Жыл бұрын

I have a packing video in the works. Keep an eye out for it!

Wonderful videos. Keep them coming brother

Up to 60 days to unload wow , really enjoy watching along appreciate your effort to vlog really interesting thanks 👍🏻🍻

I'm glad you're still merchant marine alot of the other KZreadrs that worked these jobs made great videos but almost all of them have left the field

Another excellent video thanks for sharing this

@JoeFranta

Жыл бұрын

thanks wiley! glad you enjoyed it

Love these :D makes me wish I was closer to the ocean

Good to see your videos back

Home of the worlds worst golf course apparently, I enjoy your work!

I absolutely love your videos thank u for being my new favorite channel

Very nice videography.

Besides being an NMU seafarer for 14 years I spent 3 months on Ascension Island working on the Appollo moon project for Bendix Field Engineering. Easy duty, the killer was the cheap booze. Shots for 25cents and 10cents for a beer. That and getting into a beef with my supervisor had me off the island which i'm not sorry for. Plenty of guys put in 5 years or more on island because they could make lots of money and save on taxes. Many a man probably had a problem with booze. The weather was great the pace was easy. They even had a golf course with crushed volcanic rock as fairways and sand for greens. Fish would bite your toes when you walked off the beach. Lots of the housekeeping and maintenance staff were from Saint Helena Island. Ascension is still under British control and Accession had no native population. The first people to populate Accession and Saint Helena were shipwrecked seafarers, primarily Portuguese,

Thanks for the upload Joe, adding a comment for the algorithm

Nice video 👍

great video

Joe, that looks like a great place to be anchored for a while. Great channel.

Love this channel

Very cool place

@JoeFranta I found your channel while surfing itube. I could listen to you all day, great voice (easy on the eyes too). The videos are interesting, hearing about the different ports and crossing the seas. I chuckled when you mentioned the Evergreen getting stuck in the Suez Canal. Thank you for the videos. Safe travels. - just a city girl

Thanks Joe. I was lead C/E on the Thomas for the 2+ years we were there. We appreciated working with the Severn, but I don’t recall running into you. Shame we didn’t meet up at the Saint’s club.

!was there on a Mearsk Tanker on an MOD charter its a great place to go, and then on a dry cargo ship great wildlife loved the place . Seeing the film brought back great memoires

Cool tune during that last segment

Awesome video, need a gravel vac and slide though 😆 heading to SIU soon, you’re an inspiration Joe!

Thanks for your videos! This is for beer when you land.

@JoeFranta

Жыл бұрын

beer will be drank for sure!

Glad to see you posting again I was beginning to think you fell overboard 🤣

The slow pace of life at sea is interesting!

Seems like a great way to spend you're life Joe.

That brought back memories after being there with the RAF, surprised you didn't go for a swim to cool off 😎 🦈 🤣

I would've never heard of this place had it not been for this video.

what an insane operation for abit of stone