eeee-news!
You will be pleased to learn this blog is about to start taking up more of my time as it has received a "plug" in the Marine societies E-Newsletter and will be appearing as a link on their website. I may be over estimating the readership of said E-Newsletter however it is possible I shall see a sharp increase in traffic!
Talking of traffic I have just recalled an amusing episode we had in Hong Kong. Well at least I found it amusing/interesting having only been on board 3 weeks and never having experienced such a thing before. As we approached the anchorage at Hong Kong we were in a lane of traffic all heading in our direction. Astern of us a container ship doing 20 knots or so, on our port side traffic moving in the opposite direction and to the starboard side, islands and shallow water. The container vessel was closing on our position (closing range - before you ask) and was coming to overtake us on the starboard side, then port, then starboard, then port again. It couldn't decide but definitely thought it wise to pass one way or another. We attempted to reach the vessel, who was not responding on the VHF, to ask her intentions. We called the local VTS and requested they contact the vessel to "request she does not pass us". They did so, warning the vessel to adjust her speed. She responded affirmatively but failed to make any adjustment. Despite numerous calls the vessel continued to weave along behind us rather like an impatient driver on the outside lane of a motorway. Eventually and without warning she swung hard to port and proceeded to come around 180deg on to a reciprocal course, thus crossing the other traffic lane. She undertook this maneuver to cries of "Do not cross my bow" and "what are you doing"(the impolite version) resonating from the VHF. Meanwhile the VTS had an interesting time conveying other rather angry vessels messages to the container vessel. Once at anchorage I noticed on the AIS that the vessel proceeded to play the same game again, perhaps in order to arrive somewhere at the correct time, or perhaps just to piss off every other ship in the area?!
Anyway, I thought I would share this with you as I am very bored indeed waiting to return to college. Having time off is great, but its no fun when you're a poor deck cadet with no cash/car etc! Never mind I shall enjoy it better when I am third mate no doubt(?!). Really looking forward to going back to college where I shall be occupied. R
posted by Rob @ 4:31 pm
22 comments
22 Comments:
Thats Container ships for you, main priority is to maintain a schedual with no regard to the safety of surrounding traffic. So many times that has happened on my watch and stories Ive heard from others. Ive always been curious to work on board a Container ship to see their mind set and what makes them justify thier actions. Congrats. on a high traffic blog. Not many places on the internet to see other sailors opinions and learn from their advice.
That just great news rob. Well done - it's that on line personality that did it - right from the start.
Who could possibly, from the maritime world, fail to take interest in you.
Keep it up - it makes an old guy like me suddenly feel good once again.
Shipmaster (Ret'd)
Spelling Rob !!!!
"When your a poor deck cadet"
correct to:-
When you're a poor deck cadet.
Captains have to be able to spell, so never forget your pocket dictionary - you just can't do without one - you know.
Well done - thats good news about the Marine Society.
Perhaps next trip you could tell us about the number of tanks, the number of pumps, IG Fan Capacities, Cargo Pump Capacities that sort of thing - they are so important after all.
AIS - be wary of that - learn to radar plot, manually at first, then of course the wonders of parallel indexing.
Never forget your eyes, your ears, your nose, and your sensitivity to vibrations - that sort of stuff - they tell you so much if you pay attention to them.
Capt (Ret'd)
Hey Man - thats great Rob.
I got this one on CD -
Reckon you too should have it.
Good Blog Man - Real Cool.
"Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum."
Shake it up man & there's always the "back-burner" - looking forward. Remember ?
They can do great work too - they have the equipment, the organisation, and the manpower for the all important Humanitariaen Role.
Then of course, there's the RNLI.
There's job satisfaction - for sure.
Your ship should not become your home - but all too often it is.
Think about it.
Boyscout.
Like you - that news is lovely rob.
Not much use having a car when it spends most of its life locked up in the garage -
nor owning a house which essentially lies empty most of the time.
Keep at it, but plan for YOUR future.
Luv Ya
Dorothy.
ooooooooooooh, so someone's got a girl friend.
Steady as she goes there Rob.
Don't act hastily, you could end up in touble if you do.
That could result in you tearing up your plans and starting all over again, or alternatively it could just put an unbearable strain on your relationship - might even break it.
Boyscout.
Hi,
I am sorry to disturb the flow of all this, but:
I am thinking of doing pretty much what you are doing, and I was wondering how hard you found it to get sponsorship, and what you thought of the Warsash maritime academy?
I think that is connected to Southampton Solent University is it not?
Also, do you have any advice for someone about to start out on such a carrier?
I must say, it sounds a fantastically interesting carrier. I also agree that paddling around in 5 inches of sludge does not sound too healthy, but as I current know nothing about it, I am not really in a position to comment.
Thanks
Well Hi Michael,
firstly I would highly recommend this career, but only to the right kind of person. You must be really committed to it and sure that you want not only the job but the lifestyle that comes with it. I have found Warsash (yes it is part of Southampton Solent) to be a great place. the facilities are good and the standard of teaching is excellent. Also there is a good social life and generally a good bunch of people to share it with.
As for advice, well, be a little more specific and I will be glad to help in any way I can. For general advice I will say; really think about what sort of ship you want to work on. Do you want to be a merchant navy officer or do you want to have a good time?? that will effect which companies you interview with. keep in touch and I shall be helpful where possible.
Rob
Yeah Man
Warsash is the key to it all,
You won't find better,
they cater for everyone there.
pp
OOOOH AHHHH Glen Mcrath,
but don't forget Warnie as well.
OZ
Draft Observations.
Bent & Twisted.
Well there you are laddie – your blog has taught you how to determine whether or not your vessel is hogged or sagged, and it has furthermore introduced you to the concept of the draft survey, which under ideal conditions can be exceptionally accurate in determining not only cargo on board but equally as important, your vessels deadweight constant, (- that thing which is in fact, not constant, just approximately so).
You should now realise, that in considering port and starboard draft readings separately (on long & large beam vessels), you can go on from ascertaining the hog and the sag (Bend in the middle) to getting a good idea as to whether she is “twisted”, and if so, to what degree.
On such determination, it may be possible to conclude why such twisting has occurred , and what degree of significance it has.
And if you wish to determine the draft at some location other than the location of the draft marks, that is achievable by accurate measurement of “freeboard” at that location.
Oh yes, this is certainly an educational blog.
Commodore Bond
Dry Docking.
Here’s a simple puzzle for you to work out whilst killing time awaiting Warsash to start:-
How can you determine from draft observations alone, that point in time when the vessel (a)touches the blocks aft, and
(b)touches the blocks forward.
What happens to the forward draft between the time of (a) and the time of (b).
Just playing with a piece of paper and a pencil should give you the answer to that one.
You will also begin to understand why, prior to dry docking, the dockyard will invariably request that your vessel is moderately trimmed x the stern.
(Clue:- It relates to “alignment” )
You might also like to give a bit of consideration to what may be happening to hull stresses between the time of (a) and the time of (b) above.
Capt (Ret'd)
Hi Rob,
I am a little stumped by your question, I did not realise that which company you applied to has such a bearing on how good a time you had.
Up until now I have only really looked at the larger company’s such as Shell, BP and other more household names, but I really should open my horizons; You seam to be doing all right with chevron though, so I aught to send off for one of there information packs as well.
I do like the sound of the job, and the life that goes with it, but you never really know until you have tried it. Unfortunately, that seems a little difficult as none of the shipping company’s who offer cadet sponsorship are willing to giver a short taster period. I suppose that is reasonable really, but it would be helpful. I can only rely on what I have read- it sound good!
One thing that I have no idea over is how popular it is. Southampton University are not running the course for 2007 entry, but I have been assured that it will be running for 2008; (the course by the way is a Bcs (Hons) Merchant Ship Operations) I can only presume that this is through a lack of interest. Are people fighting for entry and sponsorship?
I see from reading you earlier posts that you were sponsored by a cadet agency until chevron found you. How much sponsoring did they actually do?
Thanks Rob, it a great help.
Michael.
Yup, am still sponsored by the same agency, they "farm" me out to Chevron for the entire period of my cadetship. Chevron finance me but they pay the management company to "manage" me. If you can get direct employment as a cadet with chevron then you will earn about twice as much as I do (Even the Polish cadets at chevron earn more than me) as most of my wages are eaten away by the management company. However they have a lot of experience dealing with cadets and so far have been very good. The training officer they provide is a top chap and really seems to be on "our side" as it were! I think that the BSC route at Soton uni is very different from the course I am on at Warsash. As I understand it you do not require sponsorship as you apply through the usual UCAS routes. Also I think you will need to organise your own sea time which will be done on completion of your academic studies. Good luck, and let me know if I can be of any assistance. Rob
Hi again Rob.
Re Pax v/l sinking - go back over your blog - it contains much sound advice from a variety of sources.
From your last comments, it sounds like you are at least "switched on", if you know what I mean.
Take Care & just do the best that you can - it takes time, it is a profession or at least used to be.
"Rushing It" - solves nothing, - just makes you vulnerable, maybe even gullible, - no more.
"Fast tracking" to command, thats just a nonsense
All in good time - therein lies the answer - just hope you survive "the journey".
It can include fun, but it is a serious business as well - don't take it lightly.
BSS
The significance of Equations:-
In days, now long ago, there was an equation which related to the Preservation of Life & Property at Sea. It was pretty basic - namely:-
"Staunch, Strong & Well Subdivided = Always Safely Afloat".
It would appear that the news from Greece is a clear indication that that one has "Gone out the window" as well.
Shipmaster (Ret'd)
Just 3 days to go.
Accordingly, into the hands of Warsash we commit you, in the hope and conviction that they will be able to do something with you.
Good luck and take care.
The Team @ online productions.
Sorry Rob for taking over, but I just want to have a go at the puzzle that the retired captain left you to keep you occupied until you return to Warsash.
As I think a ship is normally lower in the water at the stern than it is at the bow, when it touches to aft blocks, the stern should rise slightly out of the water, decreasing the vessels draft at the stern.
I am not sure about the forward blocks; I can only imagine that as the stern is lifter slightly out of the water, the bow will be forced down into the water, placing it onto the forward blocks.
I also think that in-between times A & B, the stresses on the hull will increase. But the stresses will be reduced when the weight of the ship is being fully supported by the blocks.
I know that I am probably barking up the wrong tree, and I am sorry for butting in to your puzzle, but curiosity has well and truly got the better of me. I am just glad that I am not a cat!
Thanks, Michael.
Good attempt Michael -
Capt (Ret'd)
Now - What is happening to transverse stability whilst the dry dock continues to be pumped out?
(After the stern touches the blocks)
BSS
Hello guys! I was wondering if there are women who apply for off shore maritime positions? I don't have any maritime experience but I do have 8 yrs of construction to include industrial painter and 13 years of managerial experience. I live in Colorado. I would love to dive into this industry and reap the rewards financially of my hard work. Any advice on how to start?
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