Not a lot
Not a lot to write about really, but I though I'd send something to keep you all updated as you are so attentive with your comments. We are now proceeding across the Pacific towards Hawaii. I have been learning more on the bridge really as the work on deck is just rust bustin' and painting at the moment. I've learnt to use the Sextant which is a lot harder than it looks! The sky is amazing out here in the ocean, totally different from what is visible ashore. I will be ¾ into my contract when we reach Hawaii and then only one more loading and discharge before I sign off. At the moment the plan is to go onto PNG and load for four days. The rate is 175 per day as it's loaded by gravity so a few days sitting on the Sbm.
Then we are off to Australia to discharge and time for me to sign off. I have not decided whether to sign off in Sydney or Brisbane yet -- any recommendation as to which is more interesting to see? I will spend a day or so there and have a look around after signing off.
We have some internal and external audits in Hawaii so we are reviewing /swatting up on all the procedures they are likely to quiz us on. Not too much of a problem hopefully. I should get ashore in Honolulu which will be my first step on dry land since the 6th December. We will be joined by a new Captain in Hawaii, I hope he is as friendly and helpful as the Captain I have had so far.
I am now really looking forward to returning to college as there is lots I want to learn so I can put it into practice on my next voyage. Although the Officers on the ship are on the whole willing to teach me things they are not so clear in explaining it as the lecturers at Warsash and so sometimes I am left totally confused -- Declination, GHA, LHA etc etc. [That'll provoke some more comments -- Ed]
posted by Rob @ 6:55 pm
7 comments
7 Comments:
Hey there Rob,
I've been away from my computer for a few days - for reasons beyond my control.
Sounds like you are doing just fine, and just as I originally thought - it would appear you have been accepted into the seafring community. I knew it from the start - stuck out a mile in your blog.
I trip nearly behind you, a few loads, a few discharges, and some passages both loaded and in ballast.
Thats a pretty good foundation to work from.
Sure the Cowing didn't go too well but these things happen - the point is you probably realise now what some of the causes could have been.
When you get back to Warsash you'll eat the syllabus with ease - thats what I reckon - but you'll have to accept that somethings come down to simple old fashioned methods. In particular - those collision rules,-
you will never fully understand them if you do not get down to learning them "word perfect" - Rules 1 to 20 that is. A good working knowledge is just not good enough - you have to learn them off by heart.
No examiner will ever ask you to recite them to him, but he is very likely to ask you - What does the Rule say about "THAT" situation.Be sure you can answer correctly / precisely.When you can do that - you cannot fail - but if you can't then you can fail - and quite rightly so.
It's a bit of a slog - but you have to do it - and it's not that difficult after all - just take your time doing it - don't "bust your boiler" in the process though.
GHA well thats just like Longitude, but applied to the surface of the celestial sphere - and measured always westward from the Greenwich Meridian, or more precisely, the Greenwich meridian "PROJECTED" out, onto the surface of the celestial sphere.
On the surface of the earth we use Longutude East or West of Greenwich.
On the surface of the celestial sphere we use HOUR ANGLE.
LHA of some celestial body is the "difference" between your own meridian ( as the observer) - "projected out" onto the surface of the celestial sphere and the meridian on which the body is situated.
Thus - take the sun
From the Nautical Almanac take it's GHA for the time in question (UTC or Greenwich Time) and remember it is always west of Greenwich.
Lets say the GHA of the sun for the time in question is 90 degrees. That means it is 90 degrees west of Greenwich. If your own Longitude, as the observer is, for the sake of argument, 20 degrees West - then you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out what the LHA is, do you. (70 degrees).
However if your own Logitude is 20 degrees East then the LHA of the sun in that case would be 90 + 20 = 110 degrees.
It may all sound rather complicated but you will find that it isn't really. Just learn the definitions, think it through, and you really cannot go wrong. You can still make mistakes though - so check your sums, - when they are done.
And by the way - I've been retired for about fifteen years now - but that crisis with your COWING - motivated me somewhat - so I've sort of emerged from retirement and got some "casual" maritime employment again.
NOW look what you've gone and Done !!!!!!!
I'll be watching you more closely now - particularly if you are heading in the direction you intimated.
shipmaster retired
grrr - wink,wink
Aye laddie, indeed you are right - comments galore - I don't doubt.
Declination - well thats just the same as latitude on the earths surface - but on the celestial sphere we call it declination - perhaps just so we know what we are talking about. We call it North or South in like fashion to what we do when we are down on the surface of the earth. Additionally we measure it from that great circle on the surface of the celestial sphere, all points on which are equidistant from the North and South poles of the celestial sphere.
In the case of the celestial sphere we call that great circle the equinoctial, which corresponds with the equator on the surface of the earth.
To make things easier for you, get a piece of paper and a pair of compasses. Draw a small circle, say 2 inches in diameter - that circle represents the earth. With precisely the same centre, draw another circle of much greater diameter - and what you have now got is a picture of the earth (the smaller circle) surrounded by the picture of the celestial sphere.
All points on the surface of the earth can be "projected" outwards onto the surface of the celestial sphere.
On the surface of the earth a point can be defined by Latitude and Longitude. Its equivalent position, projected outwards onto the surface of the celestial sphere is defined by declination (Representing Latitude) and Hour angle ( Representing Westerly - always westerly, Longitude in the case of GHA.
Collision Rules:
Learn the wording - perfectly - thats good advice.
Here's an example:-
You are heading 360 True.
You observe a vessel approaching directly at you and "closing", and you take a visual bearing of the vessel and find it to be on a bearing of 111 degrees (True)
Is that vessel a crossing vessel or is it an overtaking vessel ?
(Now you are beginning to get an idea of the significance of those 22 and a half degrees you learned about at Warsash)
pp.
Hey this is fun.
Reference last comment:-
CLOSING - could mean two things,
1. it could mean "closing" (in range.)
or
2. it could mean "closing" (in bearing)
a "communication anomoly perhaps - you have to be carefull there.
For the sake of this exercise lets assume it means CLOSING IN RANGE.
(we'll consider the closing in bearing - later)
boyscout.
Feb 19th 0054hrs UTC
(or Z)
The time is now 19th Feb 2220.hrs UTC.
The "approaching" vessel is still on a bearing of 111 degrees True, and "This" ship remains on a heading of 360 degrees True.
Would you please be so kind to advise whether you have yet made up your mind as to the "crossing or overtaking" situation, and would you further advise just what the hell you intend to do about it.
Capt (Ret'd)
The said ship is crossing port to stbd, (green side light at night) the said ship is now directly ahead. I would stand on. What is the range?
Can anyone point me to any other blogs such as this well done one or any websites/personal sites to check out. As a new officer, Iam interested in learning about other sailors knowledge and experiences in the "real world". Deck-officer.com is a site I tend to look at every so often but it lacks the traffic. Thanks for any kind imput.
Well Rob - Now you have it.
It was just a matter of time before someone came along to "stuff up" your blog.
Which respondent are you going to delete, in order to maintain the integrity of your blog.
You can delete it - I know that you can.
Shipmaster (ret'd)
wink. wink.
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