The fleet returned to Rhodes for the regular maintainance. As Gnaeus Sempronius Brutticus had quite few marine experience, he asked the navarca of the flagship, Caius Otilius Serticus to guide him through the process.

-So, quaestor, you want to know more about ships?
-Yes, it is part of my task to supervise the maintainance, and I think I have to learn a lot to be able to fulfill it perfectly.
-Will you remain with the navy even after this assignment?
-No, captain, I intend to return to my family in Rome, as soon as this mission is accomplished.
-Well, in that case I think it is not necessary. This will take less time than it would be needed to describe you everything.
-Even in this case I would like to learn what I can. It does not hurt if I get marine experience, who knows what the future brings us.

The navarca was surprised. Until now the few military quaestors he had met let the real work done by others, all they wanted was their share from the glory.

-I am glad to explain you the basic routines. The most important thing is to resupply our ships. First and foremost we need clear water. In the land it is not a problem, but in the middle of the sea, where water surrounds us everywhere, it is not possible to get drinkable water.
-And the food? Is it the same as in the army? At least I have some experience in that.
-There are some difficulties with food, as well. Something in the sea air hurts fresh food, it becomes unusable very quickly. We must store everything salted. Tastes very bad but does not get rotten that soon.
-And the equipment? What do I have to know about ships?
-Unless a storm catches us it is enough to repair a ship once a year. However, one can never be sure whether a certain ship survives the next storm, unless it is checked regulary. So, each stop is an occasion to check all of them, to find those that need the repair. Ah, here it is. You can see those divers, they swim under the ships to check their bottoms from outside.