The Fantail - Navy Blog - Navy Times

Fan-tales

It’s the place to go on the ship when you want to get away from it all. It’s the fantail — the very back of the ship, where one can sit and watch the water go by, read a book or just gather thoughts.

For Culinary Specialist Seaman Jimmie Johnson, just a few months removed from his Atlanta, Ga., hometown, it’s a place to watch the water go by each evening before heading off to bed.

“This is my first time at sea and I just don’t seem to get tired of watching the blue water go by,” he said. “It relaxes me at the end of my day.”

But even older salts like getting a breath of fresh air — especially those who spend most of their waking days below decks. Such is the case for Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Damien Sylvester. His workspace is well below the ship’s waterline in the bomb magazines. So, when he gets the chance, he heads to the fantail for a few minutes.

“Down in the hole, it’s dark and sometimes you wonder what it’s like outside, so I come out here,” he said. “It’s nice to get a little sunlight, but today it sure is bright out here; it’s hurting my eyes.”

Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class (AW) Brian Van Essen, who hails from Paradise, Calif., makes his way aft to read a book –- and to get warm.

“Where I work, the air conditioning is so strong that it’s freezing in there. I come here to feel warm again and to read; I do it often.”

But some come to work and don’t seem to appreciate what the other “fantailers” seek out. Seaman Victoria Truong works in deck and must stand two-hour lookout watches on a regular schedule all around the ship –- reporting on what she sees, or doesn’t see, every five minutes while wearing a kapok life jacket and a hard communications headset. “I’m usually at one of nine different lookout watch stations around the ship each day, and they are all outside,” she said. “ I see people come out here all the time and they seem to enjoy it, but when I look to relax, I go inside.”

Some come alone and others in pairs. Electrician’s Mate Fireman Gener Agraan of Anaheim Calif., usually hangs out on the fantail with his buddy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Christian Nicholas, who hails from Louisiana.

Sometimes the two lean on the lifelines, and other times they sit on the large bits used for tying up the ship in port. “It’s part of me now and I try to come here at least once a day because being here at either sunrise or sunset is a great way to eliminate stress,” he said. “I wouldn’t quite call it my peaceful place,” he said — with a pause before adding, “Well then again, I guess it really is.”