There are four distinct phases relating to The Pirates of the Caribbean, but first, how about some of my favorite Flash Mobs from my old standby, You Tube. See here:

• Lion King – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD-74X6fcGk&list=PL9xO7K6ky7wzD07Lr11zXaVK931YlDNzQ&index=3&pp=gAQBiAQB8AUB
• Neil Diamond – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Z6SYF-OdQ&list=PL9xO7K6ky7wzD07Lr11zXaVK931YlDNzQ&index=4&pp=gAQBiAQB8AUB
• Paris – https://youtu.be/5B0dT5MYHDo?si=YLo9riVb32lfyJPG
• Perfect Sheeran – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MId-hwXKnaQ&list=PL9xO7K6ky7wzD07Lr11zXaVK931YlDNzQ&index=5&pp=gAQBiAQB8AUB
• Bohemian Rhapsody – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUEstWJUkA&list=PL9xO7K6ky7wzD07Lr11zXaVK931YlDNzQ&index=6&pp=gAQBiAQB8AUB

Or perhaps the highlights from the Navy – South Florida football game of November 15, 2025. https://youtu. be/fIL_TGL4l8o?si=8pBx-iXZqJjP3imK. Methinks Flash Mobs will have many more “likes” than Navy football.

OK, Pirates of the Caribbean, Phase 1. When I arrived at Prevail on or about July1, 1963, properly outfitted, I was advised by the Officer of the Deck (OOD) that they already had an assignment for me that evening – foreign liaison officer. I was sent across the harbor to the hulking HMS Ark Royal which was in Brooklyn in connection with a NYC visit. I did as instructed, was met at the Quarterdeck of the Ark Royal by an officer with a gin and tonic in hand, and went on to having wonderful evening. Upon getting back to Prevail, I called Barrie and told her that I thought I was going to like this “Navy stuff”.

Phase 2. The ship traveled to where its survey requirements took it, stretching from tbe Tongue of the Ocean to the mouth of the Orinoco River. After two weeks on station, a hurricane struck and we headed for the-then Navy port in Trinidad. We were exhausted because we had towed a sister Navy ship all the way back, After a few beers at the “O” club, my fellow shipmate, Ensign Mike Hunt, and I were smitten with the advice of our Commanding Officer (CO) that in the old days (of the Navy), young ambitious officers of the towing ship would steal the ship’s bell of the towed ship. Mike and I did attempt to do so, were caught during the attempt, jumped overboard, and then were incarcerated in the paint locker of the towed ship. Nice try, but no joy. Ignominious!

Phase 3. Prevail had a beach party at Nassau. We had divers onboard who took their diving gear to the beach for the rest of us to try. I tried of course. I was down under maybe 15 feet or so when I saw some movement on my right side. I explored, of course, a true)nd to my surprise the movement was that of a mornay eel. Scared the heck out of me and i ripped the mask assembly out of my mouth, together with my bridge. I called or wrote Barrie asking her to contact my old dentist for a replacement. Long story short (and, two weeks later (and after another hurricane)we had another beach party, same place, and while walking down the beach one of our Chief Petty Officers (CPO) exclaimed “look what the hell I found!” I ran over to him, grabbed my bridge out of his hand, and placed it in my mouth. End of story, but some of or longest and most trusted friends refuse to believe the story. Barrie would never been a part of the story if it were not solid.

Phase 4. At the end of our survey work in the Caribbean, we received orders back to Brooklyn because there was talk that Prevail was going to be decommissioned. Barrie met me when we returned and we were treated with the use of Mike Hunt’s NYC apartment while he was back home in TX. We also took in the-then ongoing NYC Worlds Fair (tough though for pregnant Barrie).

We received word that Prevail would be decommissioned, heading us to Newport, RI, next for assignment.