’’Twas the breakfast before lunch, when all through the ship

Barely a passenger was stirring, most were still below deck

When all of a sudden, to our surprise

The ship went a turning, right through the sunrise.

The sun was on port, and then was on starboard

Our water glass tumbling and soaking the table

Then port again and still moving

Most did not notice, but Mike was alerted

He gathered a small group wondering what was up.

The bridge was closed (which is unusual) and officers with binoculars were scanning sea and sky

When the bridge opened we went to ask why

Turns out the chief engineer had spotted what he thought was a life jacket

So the ship had done a figure 8 to check – but not seeing anything – had proceeded on their way

The boat was (temporarily) on a life saving mission, but Mike was the only one who noticed

Real Story

We were sitting at breakfast when the boat suddenly slowed and turned – sending our menu crashing into a full water glass and knocking it over. Mike saw the horizon moving and then the sun on the opposite side of the boat to where it had been when we sat down. No-one else seemed to notice that anything was happening – even when we pointed it out. The boat continued to turn – everyone oblivious. Mike went to investigate outside and gathered a small group of other people as they came by to go to breakfast. Inside – the maitre d’ insisted nothing had happened. The bridge is usually open – but was closed and Mike could see people out with binoculars on both sides on the boat. Once the bridge reopened we went to investigate and the 4th officer explained what had happened, which inspired the “poem” above.