Happy New Year
Hey all,
We are now en-route to Singapore, we will be there possibly 3 days to take on bunkers and provisions then on to Benchamas (Gulf of Thailand) (again!) to load. Then we expect to go to Nanhai (China) also to load and finally to Barbers Point (Honolulu, Hawaii) to discharge.
The discharge at Marsden Point, north of Auckland, was eventful and quite tiring, I spent most of the time in the pumproom and on deck opening and closing valves and checking all the pumps/systems were running ok. The Whangarei Harbour is beautiful with sandy beaches and lots of New Zealanders enjoying the sun. We had some problems
with starting the cargo pumps so we were longer than predicted discharging and hence missed high tide for departure. So we had to wait around until the afternoon before we left with pilot on board. The channel is quite narrow and as we are one of the largest ships the terminal handles they seemed a little nervous. Also our sister ship touched bottom here a few years ago so they were extra cautious!
The weather is slowly warming up now as we sail north again towards the Torres Strait (between northern Australia and south Papua New Guinea). This will be a narrow channel through the reefs and so involves 12 hours of pilotage. Should be interesting! Today we had another boat drill, a weekly occurrence here.
I am now beginning to get the hang of ship life, and slowly learning what all the millions of buttons, valves, pipes and equipment do. I will have been on board 2 months in a week or so but it feels like more. Time doesn't really pass very quickly here (in fact at the moment as we are heading west we gain an hour every couple of days, so it passes even slower!) However it is still really fun and as I begin to get a little more responsibility and understanding of what is going on it's even more fun!
We are washing some of the tanks in the next couple of weeks when we get the go-ahead from the company so that should be a learning experience too!
Thanks for your continued interest and for your encouraging comments, which have been forwarded by e-mail.
Rob
posted by Rob @ 10:54 am
25 comments
25 Comments:
Hello Rob, I found this Blog a couple of months ago and has been very helpfull. Im startin at warsash on the 7th of january. I was wondering How your getting on With the crew an officers at sea? And also how often have you been able to go ashore?
Hey Hey Whangerai - it sure is a nice place.
Water washing next - if the cow went well it should really only be rinsing thats required. COWING is the greatest thing since sliced bread - if it's done properly.
Expect you'll be gass freeing the water washed tanks and will get a chance to get down there to see what its like internally.
Remember the madmen with machine guns - thats true - in a sense, remember also the gas freeing procedure/process which has been relayed to you previously.
Its not just the tanks that have to be gas free - just think of what would happen if some of the lines were still full of oil, and whilst you are down there, someone opens a valve and dumps the content "On top" of you. You cant be too carefull you know. Wear a SCBA type escape kit (Elsa or similar) "gas free" or not.
Look after yourself - I may not be around indefinately.
Shipmaster ( Ret'd) Jan 6th.
Yeah Yeah,
And negotiate those tank ladders very very cautiously especially the first time.
They can be lethal especially when they have not been inspected for a while. All sorts of nasty suprises lurking there - a safety line and harness - the first time for sure.
When they've been inspected properly, they become 1000% safer, but even then, be carefull. Many many have slipped, and it's generally fatal if you do. Don't rush, take your time, proceed with caution always.Ensure you have "back up" - properly equipped and prepared.
Do all of these things - and it will be fine - generally speaking -that is
Capt ( Ret'd)
Yes Yes
And make sure that safety harness is a full harness - not just a belt around your waist. Are the rope and fastenings in good order - if not get another one.
Make sure someone you can trust is looking after the rope "up top".
pp.
It's all true so far.
Repeat :- DO NOT RUSH - take every step slowly - at such times, Time is not important at all.
You on the other hand - are important at all times.
Don't forget it.
bss.
Lighting - you should carry a spare.
And if you loose lighting for whatever reason - Just Freeze - don't move, await someone to get another light down to you.
ptsm.
SCBA's (Full kit)
Sometimes you will use one of those,
just remember those bottles on your back can Knock you off a ladder - once again DO NOT RUSH.
jerryn
SINGAPORE - one of those places where the death penalty ( by hanging)applies by mandate if you are caught with drugs.
Be wary - people do "Plant them" sometimes. The victim still hangs tho - it's just barbaric
customs
Aye laddie - every word is correct.
And it's not just those ladders that hold suprises - there are lots of big holes in the webs and stringers - just waiting to catch you - you'll fall right through them for sure - SO FREEZE IF YOU LOOSE ADEQUATE AND CLEARLY DEFINING LIGHTING until such time it's restored. Do not move in the dark when you are "tank diving".
a-m-s-a
Returning to loading Facilities:-
Something to think about, particularly if it's an FPSO next time.
I'd like you to remember these letters :- S.O.P.B.
If you see an ANOGRAM of those letters, painted on the side, on the funnel or elsewhere, yea even on the paperwork - then it should send a shiver down your spine - be on full scale alert - right through from beginning to end, and be sure that everyone else is.
"Sons Of Petroleum Bitches", is perhaps the most appropriate way to remember them, - Real "Cowboy" operators - so they are/were.
Guardian Angel (Retired)
LOL
Hey rob - that ship that touched bottom.
Was she bent (ie hogging or sagging) or was she squatting. Chances are she was both.
So you see, it doesn't matter how long you've been on a ship or how well you think that you know her. Theyre always full of suprises both of the pleasant and not so pleasant variety.
So never let complacency creep in - always think before doing and consider all the "What if's", - or at least as many as you can.
Shipmaster (Ret'd)6th Jan 07
Yes, Yes, Yes it's all true, and if she was squatting that was due to the theory of Mr Dan Bernoulli - surely you remember him from school.
His theory applies to your eductors as well - quite a few other things too.
Hope you didn't throw away all your school books, as most do. That is always something you will come to regret - if you did.
bss
Rob,
This blog is brilliant - honest and to the point. I've enjoyed reading every entry as I am sure most of your readers have.
Having been at sea for 7 years now I remember the time I was in your position and learning all the new skills (still learning of course). At times it can be a hard battle but its worth fighting for. The rewards are great.
I wish you all the best in your career and I'm sure from what has been said on here you will be just fine.
Good luck with your ticket. I'll be watching with interest.
Grey Funnel Navigator
Hey there gray navigator,
That really is one of the nicest touches that anyone could add to a blog.
You are a fine guy - for sure.
shipmaster (ret'd)
Tut Tut
I really should be more carefull,
I did of course mean
Grey Funnel Navigator.
Sorry about that guys.
S'master (ret/d)
And hopefully rob you will get to see inside at least one wing tank and one centre tank - there are significant differences - as you will see.
Forepeak and aft peak tanks are, in particular, more dangerous from the perspective of those holes you are likely to fall through - cofferdams too.
Always move slowly = take care
"A long time admirer". Jan 7th 2007.
Hey - Hey - Yeah - Yeah
And for those who may be seeking
"A bit of luck & some pixie dust"
Then this blog has got it - for sure.
"Fairy Godfather" LOL
Just Brilliant - I say - is this blog.
Of course, those differences between wing tanks and centre tanks will not be so prominant as they used to be - If your ship is of the double hull variety.
pp
Tank Entry,
Well all the advise you need has already been published in this blog and you've been somewhat prepared at Warsash.
You will require a fair head for heights and a degree of courage, - even a Captain requires that.
Most importantly you have the choice, you can always say NO, if U don't yet have the confidence required.
Go when YOU are comfortable and ready - not before hand.
That confidence will come if you don't yet have it - don't rush it.
Maybe some mast climbing in daylight, under supervision of a senior responsible person may help in gaining that head for heights you require. Cargo and ballast tank ladders can be slippy and bits may be missing but so long as you realise that fully before you start, you are aware of it, and can then take all the appropriate precautions. Thats the point at which it becomes "safe", or as safe as it can ever be.
Be prepared to say NO, or try a few steps first to see how you feel, you can always climb out again before overly committing yourself.
Keep cool, keep calm, be slow.
If you are not somewhat Frightened -then there is probably something wrong with you - keep it under control.
Full body harness - that's a must, and don't be the first man in - wait - let others go first, and make sure they come out before you go - for the first time.
Perhaps the Captain will take you with him - a bit later, or at least somebody well experienced.
Justme
Due to some uploading technical anomoly the following comment was incorrectly displayed in the wrong string.
Quote:-
BACK TO BASICS.
For the benefit of all readers.
Please ensure you go to the toilet before you go tank diving.
You don't want to find yourselves in that position when nature calls and you have to rush out.
You are much more likely fall - if that happens.
Tank falls are generally fatal.
Hey There young fella _ HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Sorry not saying before but computer place closed for Xmas & New Year.
Sure good to hear you getting on fine.
Elders say you have good "Fan Club" all wise men - SEA ELDERS - in fact.
You pay good attention to what they say - for elders only speak what spirits allow them to speak.
Spirits - they never lie, only speak true every time.
Bye Bye.
Luv Dorothy Jan 7th 2007
Hi Rob & Happy New Year.
Your Blog continues to blossom and it's all good advice you are receiving although much of it may be known to you already.
It seems you have a lot of "Good Friends" out there although you may not know who they are.
Re- your personal records/data bases, don't forget to start one on your crew list. You can include names if you like, but more importantly Number of Persons and rank/rating.
That way, in years ahead you will be able to look at your records and make a well informed decision - are things getting better or worse - should I move on - should I stay where I am - that sort of thing.
Are crew numbers increasing or decreasing etc. etc.
a-m-s-a
Just Fantastic.
Now for the next lesson.
You have in your personal data base the approximate API of Benchamas Crude and the approximate load temperature.
On this your second loading, the API and load temperatures will not be the same, but they will be reasonably close.
You should also have in your personal data base your ships particulars which should include the Volumes (In Barrels or Cubic Meters or whatever) of each cargo tank on board, and therefore by simple addition the total cargo space available.
Imagine you are going to take a full load of Benchamas crude this time.
How many barrels (Gross and Nett) can you now advise the terminal (in advance) that your ship is able to load.
Take 98% of the total cargo space on board. (Thats the max you should load - it allows 2% for expansion).
Lets say you have total space (100%)
of 700,000 Barrels.
700000 X 98% = 686000 Barrels.
So you can load 686000 Barrels at the load temperature (Whatever it is) or 686000 Gross Barrels.
The API is at 60 degrees Fahrenheight.
You now have to reduce the 686000 Barrels to the equivalent volume at
60 Fahrenheit.
Your anticipated load temperature is lets say 100 Fahrenheit.
Go to your ASTM Tables - Table 6A
and enter with arguments API and Temp 100 F. Extract the VRF (Volume Reduction Factor for those arguments.
Multiply 686000 by the VRF and that gives you the volume you can load if the load temperature were 60 F
which is known as the "Standard Temp" when using the API system. That quantity is the Nett Barrels you can load or Barrels at 60 F.
To convert your Nett (60 F) Barrels to Long tons go to ASTM Table 11 with argument API only.
Multiply Nett Barrels x Table 11 Factor, to give long tons. Multiply Long Tons X 1.01605 to give Metric Tonnes.
Check cargo load tonnage does not exceed max permissable by Load line restrictions ( remember to include fuel oil, diesel oil, Lub Oil, FW stores slops etc.) Total Deadweight.
Ask the C/O to check your calculations - when he's not busy of course.
Now you know more than the 2nd & 3rd Mates do - in all probability.
On loading you will have to ullage & calculate again according to final load temp & API.
{For convenience purposes:- Take the VRF and Multiply it by L/Tons per Barrel (Table 11) to give a constant K which you can conveniently work with to go straight from Gross or Observed Barrels to Long Tons.}
After loading you will have to deduct free water (if any)
Bye for now
Shipmaster (Ret'd)
Hey Hey Hey - isn't it fun training this cadet, but there again it always was.
Rob:
And if you want a convenient constant to go directly from gross barrels (Observed at load temperature) to Metric Tonnes then that K = VRF X L/T per Bbl ( ASTM Table 11) X 1.01605
Stick at it.
Capt (Ret'd)
LOL
Thats progress.
Bulkship: Cadet adoption society.
(heading for receivership ?)
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