USNS RAINIER TAOE-7 The Bridge Area A report of Vern’s visit on December 14, 2009 in Everett, Washington Notice: There are 17 square windows across the bridge, They mark the warm area, inside - out of the weather. The 3 angled windows are out in the cold, windy, area; like where Vern was on watch back on his 1955’s ship.

Earlier Image in San Diego It was here in 2008 when the “OE” lettering was removed from the bow.

Here is the ships bridge and just beyond the captains chair is the ships commander, Captain R.J. Bellfi, conferring with our guide 3/O C.L. Main. Three subjects to be viewed here are labeled; Clinometer, Ships Position console and the Fuel Gauge. We entered the bridge through the Port Entry where we were served coffee.

Back in 1963 those windows would have been portholes A 1963 Helmsman THE CON

CLINOMETER This is mounted in the overhead, I was facing aft, in front of the CON The 3/O commented, seeing the bubble off just a bit, “I will have to transfer some water from the starboard tanks to the port.”

SHIPS POSITION CONSOLE EVERETT AREA CON FUEL GAUGE is to right - >

FUEL GAUGE Captain Bellfi run through different reports for Vern with this touch screen display The fuel was all off loaded the next day in Manchester

1964 Throwing ….Bolo Captain Rollin J. Bellfi..MASTER MARINER Vern Bouwman …HISTORIAN 3/O with Captain Bellfi After Vern asked the captain if he had witnessed the tossing of the bolo from oiler to customer for line connection, the captain described, with the motions, how he had learned and mastered this skill in his earlier years

THANKS FOR WATCHING REMEMBER THE 143’S