52; Chief Engineering Officer U.S. Merchant Marine. I operate & repair the engine rooms of steam and diesel ships: Tankers / Freighters / Cruise / Container. As much as I've tried to take extra extra care of my hearing, I suffered a great deal of HF loss in my left ear due to 4 months of watch standing next to a high pressure steam turbine that had bad gearing during my early twenties. My greatest regret since going to sea - physically speaking. Presently contracted on a slow speed diesel tanker carrying jet fuel on the US West Coast.