After  a very long 24 hours I made it to Istanbul and was met by Sedef and taken Tuzlak and the Razorback, Its 60 miles from the airport and one of the major ship building centers in the country. I was to meet  Max Basset, the Mayor, Greg Zoner  and the Caption of the tug boat but I was the only one who made the flight. The first place I went when I got here to was dock side and the Razorback. I met John Adams a contractor who was hired to over see the get ready and went to the boat. For the second time in 18 months I had a chance to visit this beautiful Lady and for the next four hours I spent time looking her over. The batteries had been removed and the two props were sitting on the dock side ready to board the tug . At five she was moved 25 miles closer to Istanbul

 

I also had a chance to see the Tug Rhea and met the Caption and crew. The Mayor and I shell spend the next 11 days and Max the next 41 on her as she brings this grand lady home. The tug is only 100 feet long but has 4500 HP Cummings engines that should make the tow easy. It is sea-worthy but she is a work boat and does not have the look of feel of a curse ship. Max and hope to spend  couple over nights on the Razorback  and relive the adventures we has as kids in our 20s in the 1950s and 60s

 

Tonight there is a party with close to 100 Turkish Naval personal and US personal, On the 5^th we will leave at 10;00 am. I shell try and send daily email and photos on board the Rhea as we are underway. I have been told that there will be a special satellite email address set up for our use.

 

Bob Opple

Razorback Sub Vet