Sailing, we are sailing
Hello all, here are some highlights from the last couple of weeks.
1 December
Today I tested the overfill alarms on the cargo tanks, I had to find them first (there are loads of very similar looking valves on the deck) then undo a cap and pull up a plunger with some pliers. I thought it would turn a light on in the control room and that I'd be called on the radio to confirm it was working. Turns out it sounds the ship's horn which is incredibly loud! Luckily nobody was up a mast!
4 December
Hello from Hong Kong!
We are now in the "south lamma anchorage" about 1 nm below an island to the east of HK called "Lamma". The last part of the passage into HK was a bit exciting not to mention stressful for all involved - very different from navigating in open seas. Lots of traffic and course changes to make, we had myself the C/0 the 2/0 the Captain a lookout and a helmsman on the bridge, I was speaking to HK approach VTS (vessel traffic services) on the radio informing them of our position and intentions, plotting our course on the chart using GPS and radar bearings onto the islands, also reporting vessels and navigational marks when seen and most excitingly being asked what we ought to do every time a collision course was identified! Luckily I wasn't asked when we were approaching a fishing vessel who was trying to pass directly across our bow, after sounding the "Oi! What do you think your doing" signal about 6 times we eventually swung hard to starboard and avoided him! We also had to get VTS (like air traffic control) to yell at a container ship who kept trying to overtake us.
Tomorrow we take on fuel oil and there will be 3 - 4 launches going ashore to HK every day until the 8th when we leave, so I should get into the city in the next few days. Now I am on anchor watch which is the same as the navigation watch except we are not moving! (I hope!). The weather is at last calm and a little cooler as we are further north now. The seas were awful today and yesterday, we had our lunch fly off the table and everything that was on shelves is now on the floor! But it was really fun! - also no one is allowed on deck in bad weather so I had nice jobs to do during the morning! Even though I couldn't really stand or even sit upright!
6 December
It's now the 6th and it's almost 0900. We are currently taking on Lub oil from a barge along side. Yesterday morning we had two bunker barges alongside which was a really stressful experience, none of the crew or officers spoke English so we were shouting and waving hands around to try and communicate what we wanted them to do. Unfortunately at the same time two launches arrived with the on signers (new crew) on one and the port health authority on the other. So we now have some new faces on board.
Yesterday I went ashore at 1600 with the Eng Cadet and the 2nd Engineer. The boat takes an hour to get ashore and drops us at the star ferry terminal. It's on an island that makes up part of HK but it's not the main one, still it is really busy and colourful and the view from the boat on the way in is superb. We wandered around for a while looking in all the shops, plenty of cameras and other electrics, but not very cheap I didn't think. We went into a seafood restaurant called the "very good seafood restaurant" and it really was very good, the 2nd ordered loads of food and then a man came out the Kitchen with a net and caught everything we had ordered from a tank! Grouper, prawns, more prawns, some other big fish, mussels, squid etc etc, we also had some chicken (served complete with head) and loads of veg, rice soup etc. we ordered so much it would not all fit on the table!
We leave tomorrow for after a lifeboat drill and will be collecting our first cargo on the 13th/14th It is a heated cargo (heated by steam pipes running through the tanks) so apparently the deck gets really warm and you can feel it through your boots! (Cheap under floor heating!). Also the weather should get warmer again as we move further south.
I moved cabins a couple of days ago. I am now on the D deck in the radio officer's cabin. It is huge with a double bed, sofa, arm chair, desk, and spinney office chair! Wardrobe and TV en-suite brand new carpet and also as a bonus it gets cleaned daily by the steward! Downside is I am on the same deck as the Captain and Chief Eng so have to behave myself!
8 December
We are on our way to pick up our cargo. No shore leave now until New Zealand. We will be loading Benchamas and West Seno crudes. The cargo is heated because it would solidify if it was not, some grades of crude need heating as they are very thick (remember they make bitumen from it as well as petrol!). If it was to solidify that would be a disaster - the ship would be stuck with it inside the tanks!
It was fun leaving HK yesterday, lots of fishing boats and other traffic, visibility only about 2.5 miles so lots of use of the radar.
This evening we have a fire drill (as we do every Saturday - company policy), I have drawn up the scenario for a fire in the engine room workshop. This morning the auto fire alarm went off twice for a fire in the engine workshop so we all had to muster and I was sent down to the fire control room to see which alarm was sounding. The
new crew are all settling in now and the ship's back to her usual rolling and vibrating as we continue under ballast.
Thanks for reading this. More to come!
posted by Rob @ 1:59 pm
19 comments
19 Comments:
Hey Rob that sounds fantastic, and it's just great to learn those high level alarms are working OK. They are so important you know.
In my days we never had them, and even if we did, we would not have been permitted to carry the necessary spares to keep them operational - but that sort of thing is mainly the practice of offshore ship management companies - not reputeable operators like those you are clearly working for.
I'm just amazed to learn that even though you are on a tanker you still managed to get a run ashore in HK. Hope you behaved yourself.
Great to hear your accommodation is fine too.
Seems you have done well for yourself - and it sounds like you are enjoying it o.k.
I remain a trifle concerned that you still have not done a lantern test. However I do not doubt that you will have been on the bridge in the dark and will by now have a very good idea if you are managing to clearly identify those mast head lights and the red & green sidelights at a distance. If you are then you should have no problems at all.
Heated cargoes coming up, well thats great - just keep an eye on the Fresh Water situation on board.
Leaks cause problems, be they steam or water, and if you run out of water you run out of steam - that's no good at all. I am sure you'll be testing those heating coils, prior to loading - preferably hydraulically - that too is so important.
Good to see you updating your blog, but maybe you should be a little less specific about where you are going and the Eta's etc. Terrorists/Pirates could be watching.
Where you have been, - on the other hand, - that's different - it's history - so it is ok in my view.
Merry Xmas when it comes.
Shipmaster (Ret'd) Dec 11th
wink, wink.
Hmm - all good stuff Rob.
Next time those high level alarms are tested try to position yourself in the control room, let someone else lift up the "plunger" (float).
From there you should be able to see which tank has activated. It is nice to know that.
You should by now be beginning to use a bit more correct terminologies - without going overboard on it.
Heating Coil Testing:- Hydraulic is the best, but if you can't do that for some reason then you should consider pneumatic.
High Level Alarms:- Take the opportunity to get a hold of the manufacturers operational/service manuals - they are often, mostly in fact, the best educational media.
Start a Crude Oil Data Base which should contain the type of crude, the api, month loaded, uplift port, and average load temperature. Keep it updated at every opportunity in the future - you have no idea how handy that will be in the years ahead.
Do one for "Products" as well when the opportunity arises.
It is in matters like the foregoing that your laptops can and will make an enormous difference - if only my generation had had them.
Likewise you should be starting a data base on your ships particulars include as much as you possibly can.
It's a better way to occupy your spare time than just sitting in the bar.
Similarly you could be starting a data base on all of your passage plans - departure point, waypoints courses and distances between them etc etc - that will prove invaluable in the years that lie ahead.
Your laptop is an immensely valuable tool - use it wisely.
Good luck - and you seem to be doing just fine.
bulkshipsurveyor. Dec 12th.
Hi Rob - Good Blog. Keep it up.
Hope you don't mind, but I've downloaded your photograph.
It might come in handy - one day.
wink.
pp
Dec 12th 2006
Hey there young fella.
Good to hear from you again and to note you is doin so much to keep that oil where it should be.
Aboriginal dreamtime fellas - they very pleased with your efforts.
Elders say again, you good young fella - spirits tell them so.
On behalf of all indigenous peoples,merry Xmas and a happy & prosperous New Year to you and your shipmates.
Luv Dorothy
HMM – well it is good to hear from you again Rob, and I note you have already had some good sound advice from previous respondents.
BUT, Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, have I detected the first signs that your “Honeymoon” may be coming to an end?
I think so, because from where I sit it seems you may be beginning to show the initial signs either of complacency or maybe some stress-related disorder.
You should get a grip of yourself and pull your socks up a bit.
Specifically, I refer to your comments about ATC (Air Traffic Control)
You are wrong, - very wrong, in fact.
You should not try to compare those things with which you are becoming “familiar”, - with those things with which you are not familiar. That could be fatal, so get out of the habit right now.
Perhaps most disturbing, is the fact, that it is really quite clear that you were aware of the reality all along, but failed to recognise that fact.
You made reference to VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) then went on to make a comparison with ATC.
ATC is a Control Service – very much so in fact - VTS is something quite different, it is roughly similar to ATS (Air Traffic Service).
In aviation, were the users of ATC and ATS to confuse the one with the other, then there would be very few aircraft in the sky, but there would be mountains of wreckage on the ground.
If the truth were known, it is perhaps that misunderstanding which can render VTS more of a hazard than help. It frequently becomes an intolerable distraction, at times when distraction is the last thing required.
A significant contributor to accidents, the ultimate “dogs breakfast” sometimes. It can foster illusions, false assumptions, mistaken beliefs, & create chaos and carnage, in fact.
If VTS were in fact VTC then things might be different – but it is not.
Take note of the foregoing, because you will never make a good Captain if you don’t.
In recognising the effects of such matters on yourself, then you will be better able to judge their effects on others. It is important you can do that – and take the appropriate action, particularly when you become Captain yourself.
I may seem to be being a bit “cruel” towards you – but if so, the intention is only to be kind.
Stick with the real Rob – the one with whom we have become so familiar – the one who started the blog.
He is the guy, who without reasonable doubt, will become a Captain, - if he wants to, - but even then, only provided, he takes all appropriate care of his health.
Oh – and by the way, whilst I think about it – Cadet Rob
Those pliers you were talking about - Where are they Now?
Best wishes for Xmas, New Year and the future.
OVER & OUT.
Jerryn.
Marine: Former Shipmaster (Ret’d)
Aviation : Former Pilot (Fixed Wing) Multi – Engine -Command Instrument Rated (Ret’d)
Your blog is trying hard to place unwanted cookies on my computer.
I think, in fact, am almost certain, those unwanted cookies are related to your "counter".
pp
Dec 13th 2006 0814 ( UTC + 10 hrs)
D deck U say.
Woof woof - I can smell specialists in the air.
snifferdog
Continue under ballast
should read
Continue in ballast
bss
Oh Rob - you little beauty.
This blog is nothing short of fantastic, stick at it, for in the fullness of time, I feel, it's content will play a major role in revolutionising cadet training.
There are clear messages coming through, perhaps not identifiable by you, but certainly by maritime professionals. Some won't want to know - but there are others out there who will - the genuine and truly committed guys.
In the days and months ahead, take yourself up on that monkey island and have a good look at that old fashioned compass up there. Find out about it,look after it, make it a specialist interest if you can.
They may say it's obsolete, they may say it's old fashioned, and I don't doubt there are many who will all but ignore it, and certainly neglect it.
They are the real fools, they are the ones without vision, they are the ones who are wrong.
They are the ones who have not been hit by some missile, or had their ship extensively gutted by fire, or even had their ship raped and plundered by pirates.
When that day comes - (if it does - it is not a regular occurance by any means, but these things do happen) you still have to get where you are intending to go, and that may be all that you have left to do it with.
No matter what fancy equipment you have at your disposal - that compass up there is the ultimate back - up.
Be good to it always, never forget it, and learn as much as you can about it, when you can. Not of course, at the expense of everything else - just try and fit it in when you can.Make it a special interest of yours a side line hobby if you like. Its a fascinating subject on its own - but only if you are interested.
You'll be glad that you did, one day,if you stay at sea, you can bet your last dollar on that.
And don't forget to locate the shadow pin - have a go at using it, just once in a while - you'd be amazed at what it can do, and what you can do with it.
Of course it's magic to have all the fancy stuff too - but dont forget "old faithfull" - you will live to regret it if you do.
Blackdog.
Well absolutley - to each and every respondent - and all credit to you Rob.
In aviation the training is absolutely superb.
In the advanced stages particularly, there is an emphasis on briefings and de-breifings before and after each flight. In doing that the instructors are then able to safely take each student through to the limit of human endurance. When the examiner of airman climbs in - It's on.
He takes you right to the limits of human endurance and holds you there for the maximum length of time which those limits can be endured, and then low and behold, he adds in the "shocker" and "throws you over the edge and beyond". That way you are left in no doubt just what those limits are, and in such a dramatic fashion that you will never again go quite so far - unless of course you have run out of all possible options - then you might go that far again in the realisation that even under those conditions there remains the possibility that you can survive it provided you keep your cool and relax even tho the perspiration is flooding the floor of the cockpit.
Thats my conclusion, but I was trained and examined by the very best that there are - no doubt whatsoever about that.
It's just amazing what you can pull off - when you really have to.
You cant do the same in shipping, exept perhaps in simulators - but thats never quite the same as the real thing.
However in shipping - there is ample scope for improvement - right from the very word go.
Stick at it Rob - that's if you are liking it or even think you can come to do that - with the passage of time.
jerryn
Rob
You drew up the scenario for a fire in the engine room workshop.
Is that a maiden voyager you are on ?
If so, when are you going to draw up the workshop fire contingency plan.
Bulkship
Hey Rob
I hope you are taking good note of the comments.
And regarding those pliers, I trust they are not where I think that they could be.
If they are, then I have a pretty good idea where they are likely to end up at the debriefing which might follow an oil spill on loading.
Shipmaster (ret'd)
wink: wink.
December 17th 2006
December 19th.
Well Rob - you have your drills once a week - so why not update your blog once per week.
The suspense is just killing us.
Have you been silenced or something ?
Access to email but no access to the net ?
Are you feeling isolated or cut off?
If so, do you mind that, does it bother you - looking forward.
Are you weighing it up, monitoring assessing, contingency planning, making changes as required, negotiating, convincing people, etc. etc. - it's all a part of the job, or at least it will become that one day - when you are a Captain yourself. That's what they do - and generally in their "spare time" - which makes it a 24/7 job - or as near as damn it.
sea staff monitor.
Those cargoes you are loading - do they fall into the category of LSWR's.
If so, and you eventually end up on an OBO then there will be many many more processesses to go through before & after loading and discharge.
In fact, if your tanker is double hull, and I believe it probably is, then those additional processess may well be applicable to your tanker - not just OBO's and Ore/Oilers.
Shipmaster (ret'd) [semi retd]
LOL
Thats true, but do not despair ROB, you may only be a first tripper, but that experience you gained as a barman may well be of benefit to you when you consider the previous remarks.
Capt. (retd)
Ho Ho Ho
This blog is getting more and more interesting.
Do you have a pig on board ? - it might come in handy.
It's probably unlikely that you do, but knowing Chevron of old, and their design and specification standards, then even that may have been catered for.
Who knows - they may have even provided custody transfer meters, and a prover into their design specifications. It wouldn't suprise me if they had.
You get the best that there is - in Chevron - at least you used to.
bulkship. ( 20th Dec 2006 )
HEY ROB - HANG FIRE THERE!!!
You are scoring well as it stands.
Don't be tempted or pressurised by the words of Sea Staff Monitor of December 19th - for you will loose marks if you do.
Update only when you are ready, and when it is safe to do so.
I think you know what I mean.
Blackdog Dec 21st. (wag wag)
Real cool blog, is this one.
There's some smart guys here OK
a-m-s-a
Phew - What happened here.
It looks a bit "messy".
Steward on "D" Deck.
Dec 23rd 2006
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