More exams, and more things
This last week saw the end of lecturing for phase 5, next week is taken up with exams where we shall try to regurgitate the previous 5 months teachings. I feel well prepared for most of the exams, plenty of practice over the weekend ought to bring me up to speed with the ones I am less confident about. Unfortunately no amount of revision over the last few weeks prepared me for one mock exam we were given this last week. It was for the subject "NaRaSt Theory", which was to teach us the theory behind all the electronic aids to navigation (Echo sounders, Gps, Radar, Logs, Loran, AIS). However the mock paper may as well have been written in Greek, as I certainly didn't understand it! A little extract for you...
Question 5: If the identifier of a Loran C chain is 7950 then the GRI of the same chain is ............. .
I can answer this question, its 79,500 microseconds. But why would I ever need to know that?! Loran C isn't used anymore, in fact I don't think my last ship was even capable of receiving the signals. Why would it be.
I, unlike most other cadets here, am delighted to be taught how to use a sextant, how to do a manual radar plot, how to calculate a great circle sailing with a bit of paper, pen and a calculator. But I don't see the point of memorising infinite quantities of facts about out of date position fixing systems.
However, remember them I must and pass that exam.
I noticed on board that some Officers have vast knowledge of the contents of technical books and manuals, can quote all the performance standards for ARPA, know rule 38 so well you would think they had written it, etc etc.
However the other Officers seemed to fix more accurate positions, logged everything correctly, followed proper hand over procedures, kept the vessel beautifully on track whilst executing a turn, followed the rules confidently and knew which books to refer to should someone wish to know the altitude, quantity and orbit of Navstar satellites.
I know which of the above I strive to be like.
Rob
posted by Rob @ 4:12 pm
47 comments
47 Comments:
Hmm - Point taken.
Must be frustrating, downright annoying.
Did not know they had shut Loran C down completely - maybe it's still there - just in case.
AIS - just look at it.
What can you say it actually tells you for sure.
You do not know - it should be good info, uptodate and exceptionally accurate, but you do not know that.
Personnally I'd toss it over the side unless my ship was fitted with at least two batteries of patriot surface/sea to air missiles.
Off course you can switch it off, but sooner or later, when your back is turned, some silly tosser will switch it on again - you can be all but certain of that.
Where on earth do you guys get any job satisfaction from - these days.?
Bss
Ding Dong, Ding Dong, Hee Haw, Hee Haw, an a' that and a' that and awe.
STOP THERE LADDIE.
Freeze, Do not move.
Those signals you were talking about - clearly you have more "stuff" to learn.
What frequency are they transmitted on ?
How could you have received them - in fact ?
I think you could have, or should have been able to with a bit of superior knowledge and/or ingenuity.
SO- off you go back to sea again - I'll be waiting when you get back.
AND what is more, you can take your blog with you, revise it thoroughly for it is something of an excellent "study guide" in itself - even though it's beginning to give me the creeps.
Lots of "Wheat" in it, suprisingly little chaff - and you should by now, be able to sort that out for yourself.
Take care
You know what I'll do to you if you don't.
Examiner.
Gosh !!!
What are they doing to you Rob.
I see one of those 8 hour Battle of Britain Pilots - so I do.
However, as history has shown, you can win through - It's just a bit heavy on spitfires I suppose.
Late Starters/Crash Courses - not very fair on you, vocationally speaking that is, - but personally, perhaps the converse is true.
Boyscout @ EEEEE News.
Don't forget that aft peak tank, - you know what can happen if you do.
Returning to that which you placed upon the back burner - well U already are and have been since day 1 - well virtually at any rate.
Keep in touch.
Don't "sniff" whilst topping off tanks - you'll only get pissed if you do. It damages the health, although it may not appear on the "manifest" for some time.
I'm off now - S.W. x W. a half west. (!!!) - for eight bells are tolling at last.
Bye.
itsme. (pp.- The Cast.)
Get with it... LORAN-C is not dead.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/loran/default.htm
Loran C, Indeed it is still "on". But not really used. I asked other members of my phase if they had come across it. One said the equipment was on board, but never turned on, all others repled with "Loran what?" or similar.
Rule 38 still exists, but I dont think there are many trading ships which may take advantage of the exemptions it provides for.
Rob
Examiner - I have a feeling my career will at some point be in your hands, perhaps I am wrong. Some pointers perhaps of how to avoid "giving you the creeps".
Just turn up for your orals on time.
Be your normal self.
Dress appropriately.
We will "Chat".
Tell me what the rules say about this situation and that - but be carefull, for I'll have the book in my hand and will check every word that you say, so know your colregs (word perfect) 1 - 20 at least, along with the rest of the stuff.
I won't "eat" you - but there again - I might. We are "human" - at least sometimes - we are.
When you say I'll call the master - thats fine - just make sure you do so in timely fashion - not after it is already too late.
You can even smile - if you like, but don't smirk.
You'll be fine - I feel sure, but if not, you'll just have to come and see me again - it's not uncommon to fail something first time around, quite understandable if you are one of those victims of what is, as boyscout said, - a crash course, and that is what you really are.
It's time at sea that will make you a mariner - nothing else.
You need to experience the good and the bad - that takes time.
Without hindsight, you can have no vision at all, and it's "vision" that ultimately counts.
Be aware, you cannot learn anything from the future - you can only learn from the past.
Outdated systems as you call them -may not be as outdated as you think - they are still essential.
DO you have a magnetic compass on your ship - Why is that - because it really is the only compass you've got - well sort of.
U know what I mean or should do.
(And perhaps one day you may only have half of one of those.- it happens, and so does meeting The Tempest - it's how you cope with it then - not when everything's fine.)
Examiner/Shipmaster (Retired)
Don't forget about Climate Change in that other place - when you first introduced yourself on line.
That one was very true, absolutely it was - & perhaps, there but for fortune - go you, sooner or later that is.
In that respect, Tankers are safer by far - provided they are not rotten inside.
Seems you are doing ok - so far that is.
Keep it up - traditional methods are the best - they are the basics if U want to be a mariner and not just a keyboard operator.
"Binoculars"
Loran C - that followed Loran A.
It's American !!!!!!!!!
What about Decca - a similar hyberbolic system, only phase difference was/is used, as opposed to time difference.
Loran C was generally pretty poor in most places, but quite good in the Pacific - sometimes.
Scoutmaster
Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
Silence is golden, golden
But my eyes still see
Talking is cheap, people follow like sheep
Even though there is nowhere to go
Silence is golden, but my eyes still see
Silence is golden, golden
But my eyes still see
"itsme"
I've been viewing this blog since it's inception.
It's a good one, but soon it must come to an end.
What will you call it then ?
Orals are approaching - are they not,- and already I'm getting excited, for I know what questions to ask you - many are outlined in your blog relating to tanker practise etc. etc., so be sure to study it well before you enter my examination room.
And as for those colregs - know them well - preferably "backwards" if you can.
No one can teach them to you - you have to learn them.
Remember thes things also - they are basic;-
Keep a good look out at all times -
(in other words get off your backside and look out the wheel house windows - you'd be absolutely amazed at what that will tell you.)
Monitor the compass bearing of "conflicting/threatening traffic" - that will tell you all you need to know.
For collision avoidance avoid alterations to port - starboard is always preferable - consider the "round turn" - it is invariably preferable ( sea-room permitting).
Check that gyro error at least once per watch - and check your repeaters as well.
Check your Standard Compass Heading
at frequent intervals - it takes but a few seconds to do - and will tell you if anything is wrong - directionally speaking.
Safe speed, safe speed, safe speed - always - at all times.
Do all of these things - and no disaster should inflict itself upon you - if it does it won't be your fault - in all probability.
Fire Fighting and tank entry proceedures / rules etc., - you know what they are - stick to them - no short cuts - do that and you will survive, - insist that others do likewise, and they too will survive. NO COMPROMISES. No IF's and No BUT's.
Shipmaster (Retired) Principal Examiner - Old Sea Dog.
P.s. Sans eyes, sans teeth, sans everything - well maybe - who knows ?
One thing for sure, I wear size tens on my feet - complete with steel toe caps as well.
Be warned - be prepared when you enter my exam room.
Look forward to seeing you - I just cant' wait !!!!!!!
Oh dear oh dear oh dear - I nearly forgot :-
TRS's :- Cross them at right angles or as near thereto as possible - (always).
Join them at an acute angle - as acute as possible.
guess who.
ROB - Where are U?
2. Rob, Where are U ?
Gosh !!!!
What is Happening.
Boyscout: October 22nd 2008.
Good Question.
The answer could be anything.
Maybe he soon say,
All's well - Lights burning brightly
or something,
so we know he at least ok.
Dorothy
"All's well, lights burning brightly"
Now that is a cry from the past.
It's great to hear it again, after all of these years.
I agree he should let us know one way or the other.
My hunch is he is doing ok., probably exceptionally well, has got his priorities sorted out and is just too busy to tell us.
He is bright, he is cheerfull, he gives it a go, has a magnetic personality, and it is clear that both his morals and ethics are absolutely second to none.
Chevron should be proud of him - there can't be too many like him around.
Shipmaster ( Retired)
Well maybe, lets hope so, and also that Dorothy is right.
The possibility that he has become the victim of foul play, should not be discounted at this time.
Elder 1.
Agree with you entirely Elder 1, but on reviewing this blog in its entirety it seems FOUL PLAY is in fact highly likely in this case.
A case for the spirits perhaps.
Spirits say
This guy maybe Dreamin.
Not looking good.
Elder 2.
Possibly.
But have U also considered he may still be trying to work out how to switch on that Loran C.
Who knows ??
Wouldn't suprise me in the least - if no one on board does.
Rumour has it that some phase five cadets where invited to leave the course after some serious mischief making at warsash last summer at about the time of Rob's last post
Rob would not have been one of them, I'm sure of that.
He's probably stuck on some tanker like the Guantanamo bay, studying hard whilst sunning himself on that deck now known as the ABU GRAIB deck, no doubt. (formerly known as the monkey island)
If he was one of them however - then clearly something is not right at Warsash - I suggest.
It may no longer be the great institution it once was - before the UK became a third world maritime nation - post Thatcher.
That would disappoint me, but not suprise me in the least.
Well I don't know what's happened to him.
A bit inconsiderate - starting something then not finishing it -
Without even announcing that he has.
Typical cadet - sometimes just thoughtless !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope he doesn't start things and then not finish them on his ship.
ROB:-
Come out, come out, where ever you are,
You know what we'll do to you if you dont !!!!!!!
He might not be hiding - he might just have fallen out with his dad.
ie. email but no internet, - that,s the bean counters at work - maybe wisely, maybe not.
Alive and well, just a few weeks away from my last watch as a cadet, i hope. As some of you said "perhaps he's on a big tanker", well yup, that'd be right. Not sure who found themselves expelled from Warsash, although it wouldn't supprise me if the very same persons return in January. Expelling people is not something this industry can afford to do at the moment, and it is well aware of this fact, as are the colleges. Anyway, I think I had better work my way back to marina south, and thus to the ship. The Captain has decided I am to con the vessel through Singapore and Malacca tomorrow, so I think I'll go have a final (and possibly 100th)look at those charts. Back in Jan! Rob
Oh and just one quick "tale" to share. I couldn;t believe my ears, when a Second mate with almost 10 years experience reported that the magnetic compass in the (rear facing) free fall lifeboat was missaligned by approx 180 deg. He was all for ordering a new one. This I actually witnessed, other similar stories I have heard of late include the Officer who awoke the Master at 2am to inform him that the vessel had encountered restricted visibility. Only to recieve a harsh lesson in how to operate the wheelhouse window wipers (it was water droplets on the outside of the windows) - The master went outside immediatly on being called to the bridge and discovered the visibility was about 10 miles. - I think he spent the rest of his contract on the bridge wing!
Hey there Rob - you are back.
Thats great - thought something might have happened to you.
It's just as I said - right at the beginning - this lad's a good un - for sure.
I can smell them a mile away, always have been able to, and always will I suspect.
That's my laddie - and even though long retired, it seems I can still contribute to the training of a good cadet.
Great news, well done - you will pass.
Watch that Phillip Channel, One Fathom Bank and the deep route to the south of it.
But of course you have GPS now, - we didn't. I just loved it.
We were really deep draft though - you know, tidal window passages.
Sounds like you have a good Captain.
Shipmaster (Ret'd)
Thank god you are back ROB, notwithstanding the "Tales".
To answer one of your infrequent questions.
When you get back home safely,
Return to deck-officer.com.
Visit section:- security
Click on "Urgent Query" and take note.
You will make a fine deck-officer – I’m sure.
But it takes time, - don’t rush it. Think ahead – as far as you can, and that will become “increasingly distant” - only with the passage of time.
Resist starting things before you are sure you can finish them – blogging is an example, but who would have known, had you not started.
As you get nearer to Captain, your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be, or should be, above all other things – “The Preservation of life and of property at sea”. (That is the “old fashioned way” – and it is the right way). That’s what it was in the past, and that’s what it should be again.
That’s not easy, (particularly in the extreme capitalist world of today), – In so doing, you will make formidable enemies for sure. Command can be lonely, particularly when removed from those closest to you - for ever extending periods, and increasing isolation, these days, but that’s how they like it.
Best of luck, and I hope it all changes back to the days prior to offshore management, flags of convenience, agency manning, ISPS, and all the garbage that goes with it.
One thing for sure, it won’t, if you guys don’t make it.
Stick to those things which you know are “do-able”, ignore the unworkable schemes of moron “international”shipmanagers ashore, far far removed from the scene of operations, cocooned in their executive suites, misleading the media, and more often than not, our political masters. It’s so easy for them to satisfy the authorities, through false image, through deceipt, through deception, through the culture of blame, and even through perjury in the courts. They are the agents of Satan himself, and they certainly don’t care about you, or anyone else for that matter.
You chose Chevron, and from the training perspective, I suspect it was a pretty good choice, and will, I believe be one you will not regret later on. A good first step, despite any downsides that may or may not , be apparent to you at this time.
Crude oil tankers are not the ships of the future. Modern & ultra modern O.B.O.’s will be, and for them you have to be a good tankerman first, an expert in IG, in Cowing, tank cleaning/rinsing, gas freeing, and all that goes with it.
For those reasons, I feel you are well placed, at this time.
Capt (Ret'd)
17th November 2008.
Hey you're ok ROB.
Thats fine.
Suppose me and the rest of the troup will have to look for another proverbial "Prawn" for the Barbie, from now on.
Boyscout.
LOL
Examiner
This site aint working properly - it's a bit unreliable/random in where it opens at.
The following was intercepted on 6th December.
Has it anything to do with you ?
Did you receive it, if it did.
Hi Alistair,
Kindly consider this well. You can tell your friends if you like (especially ROB on the tankers – if you can get hold of him).
Some criticism has been leveled at you for dancing for the passengers.
Don’t take it too seriously, even although I myself similarly consider it with a jaundiced eye.
I too, have done some dancing in the past, the most notable occasion being sometime in the northern autumn of 1976. On that particular occasion I drank copious quantities of Glenfiddich and danced both an eightsome reel and the Gay Gordons with a guy at an offshore terminal just to the west of the entrance to the Shatt al Arab – named Kwar al Amaya.
The guy in question was much much younger then, and was yet to become known as the Butcher of Baghdad.
The second engineer, or maybe it was the third, attempted to teach him the sword dance, with only limited success.
Saddam had a ball on that occasion, and if the truth were known – so did we.
We danced to the music of the late Jimmy Shand (Senior) whom I once knew quite well as we were mutual members of a sailing club.
Saddam clearly appreciated the good things in life – the whisky, the music, and the Scottish Country Dancing. His English language was poor, but he did know some words ok. Although most of the conversation was conveyed through an interpreter, it was clear he had a vision for Iraq which consisted of roads, of schools, of hospitals and universities, amongst other things.
The impression I got of the man was that he could not have told a lie even if he wanted to. He did not invade the ships bond and help himself to the whisky which we then drank along with him, he asked if he could purchase it, and he did so, happily paying for it handsomely in US Dollars, then commandeering the officers smokeroom for his party to which we were all invited - provided we taught him to dance some Scottish Country Dancing.
At the end of loading he departed somewhat under the influence,,soaked heavily in perspiration, all smiles ,and taking only a couple of bottles of his whisky with him, leaving the rest for us to drink on passage to Australia, or maybe it was the UK – I can’t remember. (a gift from him to us.) He swore we were the best ship that had ever entered Iraq, and that when we returned he would visit us again to show us that he had perfected the sword dance - as he thought he had the basics by that time. ( I never did return to that particular terminal again, neither did the ship, as it was sold for scrap some months later).
He was a dominant character, overwhelmingly so, but always exceptionally courteous and seemingly respectful of us mariners.
Certainly at that time he did not create the impression he was about to become a ruthless cold blooded murderer ( perhaps through some perceived necessity) – quite the contrary in fact - just a guy like the rest of us – enjoyed a party, good whisky, and dancing to the music of Jimmy Shand.
One thing which sticks in my mind, is he created that feeling when he said something (albeit in the main, through an interpreter) he meant precisely what he said, and that whatever he said, you could take as Gospel.
When in more recent years he proclaimed time and time again that he had no weapons of Mass Destruction,
I personally never doubted that was the truth – Pity no one else did. I don’t think he knew how to lie – like so many westerners do. Indeed had he had those WMD’S, I believe he would have been screaming it out through a megaphone to the International Community in General, - cuz I think that is the type of person he was..
In recent years we learned that he had “a double” – (another individual of identical appearance – not a drink), so it may only have been him I suppose, - but I have a gut feeling it was not.
Strange old world – isn’t it !!
You will meet many people in much the same fashion as you travel the world, mainly by coincidence, so always be a good listener, and always be nice to them, no matter who they may be, or who they may turn out to be – at some time in the future.
That’s sound advice – for you never know who they are, or who they will be, one day.
Bye: ptsm.
Posted Here: December 9th 2008.
R U getting the msg ?
Copied & Pasted from deck officer.
Security - Plague Ships: Oh my god you just will not believe it.
Part 1./ Step 1/ Situation Report.
Members are invited to peruse page 12 of the latest edition of Seaways Magazine, (Journal of the Nautical Institute. - December 2008)
You will see before you the first page of a lengthy article titled CONTAINER SAFETY, compiled by a certain Mike Compton MBE, FIOSH, CNI.
You will also see a black and white photograph of an infamous container ship of the 1970’s era, which the author (Mike Compton) has chosen to demonstrate his story – subtitled - "Lashing problems must be resolved – and soon."
I do not think I have seen such an offensive and utterly contemptuous article published in any journal of any professional institution, in all of my natural life.
I believeThe choice of this particular photograph is offensive to the memory of those men and youths of the Merchant Navy who sailed in her (and her 3 sister ships), to the memory of those men of Her Majesties Royal Navy whom, assisted by armies of specialists from the Ministry of Defense, Biological & Chemical Warfare Research Centre, Porton Down, Hampshire UK, fought gallantly and bravely for so long, to minimise casualties, and to prevent a monumental humanitarian disaster, estimated at the time to have the potential to run into the loss of 10’s of thousands of lives around the ports of Cherbourg, Le Havre and Southampton.
The cause of this national disaster, had nothing whatsoever to do with lashings, it had nothing to do with them at all, yet the author makes no reference to it – non whatsoever in fact.
Although my memory is somewhat faded with respect to the precise details of the event, (dates, times, total casualties - fatal / totally incapacitated for life), the following is reasonably accurate and true.
The vessel was proceeding eastbound on a normal routine high speed transatlantic crossing, (U.S. East Coast inbound to Europe) sometime in the mid 1970’s ( around the time when popeyethesailorman was instructing Saddam Hussein in the intricacies of Scottish Country Dance, at the Khor al Amaya Terminal in Iraq. (Refer to Cargo Forum: Last Ditch Effort Dec 2008.)
The vessel was "on schedule", experiencing heavy weather and approaching the west coast of Ireland.
Ships personnel were up and about enjoying their breakfast, preparing for a day of “interior duties”, as dictated by the weather experienced at the time.
Suddenly, (around 0900 hrs), for no apparent reason at all, one man felt somewhat unwell. His symptoms, severe headache, nausea, burning eyes, nose and throat. He retired to his cabin to rest.
Within 15 minutes, there was another, and soon after, yet another, and yet another one soon after that.
Was the source in the galley ? – nobody at that stage – had any idea at all, but it was the first line of thought - and the cook was becoming increasingly concerned .*******
And so it went on through the morning, - they (the crew) were clearly “dropping like flies”.
Past the Southern tip of Ireland by now, the vessel had radioed ahead - she had a serious problem on board,
and that nobody knew what it was.
By early afternoon, one by one, they were still going down, and still nobody had a clue what it was, the first victims now in excruciating pain, haemorrhageing profusely from the urinary tract, from the rectum, from the nose and the mouth. The Navy was by now on it’s way, its doctors already suspecting, the vessel had WMD’s on board, despite the manifests clearly showing she had not.
Like a bat out of hell - she was going, to meet with the "choppers" now scrambled and heading toward her.
So fast in fact, she was far exceeding her max speed, ( must have been over thirty knots), her Pratt & Whitneys screaming like they never had screamed before in their life, ( “Throttles through the firewall” for those of you familiar with flight.) - and still more of the crew were going down.
The choppers arrived, the doctors aboard, clad in biological/chemical suits, with spares for the now skeleton crew. Assessments were made, and the race was on to evacuate the victims, to any, and all facilities in the South of England capable of dealing with multiple internal organ failure.
By late afternoon, the Navy fully engaged, the Army and Airforce were placed on a high state of alert, for it was by now obvious that something terrible was coming in.
In France too, the Navy was already at sea, blockading the Channel Ports – just in case.
By evening the word was out, spreading across the globe, not just the front page, but, the front 6 pages in fact.
A nation was outraged, the Prime Minister summoned to the House, “HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN ?” they asked.
As the vessel, now largely manned by members of the Ministry of Defense, appropriately dressed, ( Neil Armstrong – “ Man on the Moon” style suites ) sped with maximum haste, to her newly designated destination somewhere off Falmouth, the necessary intensive care beds were found across the South of England – they had a major crisis on their hands.
The progressive transfer of command from the Men of the Merchant Navy to the Nations Ministry of Defense was finally completed as the Master, now too a sick man, was airlifted ashore.
There were now no Mercantile Mariners on board, the vessel now in the hands of those, who alone, stood the best possible chance of handling a dire and critical situation -The Military.
End of Part 1.
Part 2 to follow
“Bulkshipsurveyor”
10th December 2008
Posted "elsewhere" at 0023 12/12/08
Hello xxxxxxxxxxxxx
We have been directed to your site by our colleagues in the Asia Pacific Region.
As you may be aware, we (not unlike your own industry) conduct routine random surveys/audits of our information systems and circuits.
These surveys/audits are designed so that we can assess how effective our management systems are.
The success/effectiveness of our own management systems is heavily dependent upon the efficiency/effectiveness of the supporting systems adopted by many industries/corporations, like your own.
You are therefore invited to be a part of one of our pre-Christmas audits, which historically, have been most revealing.
Should you agree to accept this invitation, we would like you to report directly to your Captain with the information you have been receiving, and which you have, (in our view) wisely chosen not to approve for general publication.
Your Captain should then contact your company security officer directly, prior to consulting with your ship security officer.
That information should then be relayed, either directly to us, or via our superiors in London, dependent upon the system adopted by your company.
You will understand that if the system is operating as intended you will be “ticked off “accordingly.
Should it not be operating as intended, (and many systems do not), we will look into the matter further with the intent of rectifying any “glitches” which exist, hopefully over the shortest period of time.
Thanking you in advance, for your cooperation in this matter, and we wish you and your colleagues on board, (and elsewhere), safe cruising, and a happy festive season.
Bill Fraser.
p.p. RNR.
P.S. we know you are out there & we know what you are doing. We are keeping an eye on you.
We shall call you if we need you, be in no doubt about that.
When you qualify you can call us at any time - if you like, or need to.
13 Dec 2008
copied & pasted from doc.
Security: Oh my God, you just would not believe it.
Attention all readers of this string: -
“Bulkshipsurveyor” has asked me to tell you he is temporarily off-line, due to reasons beyond his control.
He hopes to be back shortly, but concedes it may not be until after the first week in January 2009.
In the interim he has advised he now believes the precise year of the incident to have been 1974.
When he returns, he trusts each of you will have your own copy of the magazine in question (Seaways December 2008) before you, so that he can accurately describe to you the black and white picture on page 12, in clear, precise terminology, which he feels, you will all understand.
He has also asked me to advise, that the picture, which was taken in 1972, is exceptionally familiar to him, and it does not reflect the situation as described by the author of the article (Mike Compton, MBE: FISH: CNI), but, precisely the opposite, in fact.
He feels sure you will agree, the foregoing demonstrates the arrogance and contempt of the author, and apparently, a deliberate attempt to degrade and demean, the mercantile mariners involved (and indeed of present times), for the purposes of his own “glorification”.
You should therefore, at all times, be exceptionally cautious when reading articles in this and other “like publications” published by the Nautical Institute.
I shall be remaining in contact with bulkshipsurveyor on a regular basis, until he is “on-line” once again.
Both he and I, wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous New Year.
pp
15th Dec 2008.
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: -
An assassination report on an ageing steel lady, (constrained by draft in her ability to manouvre) mortally wounded through her “respiratory” department, at 0902 hrs precisely (Local) on Saturday 4th February 1984, approx two hundred miles out of Sepetiba Bay on the Composite Great Circle Track to Straat Sunda,
Assassin:– Cheng. (an alleged/implied poofta/paedophile x head office)and as it turned out, with absolutely no doubt, clear links to some vile looking “private militia”.
Assassination Supervisor:- Eng’r Superintendent (a delinquent practical joker) & voice disguised “private” telcon initiator.
She ran like a sewing machine, so she did. A fine elderly lady in so many respects, although somewhat beyond her prime.
A Magnificent Machine down below, so it was, but in the hands of owners who were apparently rotten to the core.
Over the years you’ll sail with vile people too – sometimes – probably quite seldom though, and in some respects you may even find them - almost likeable, - sometimes. The worst of them usually are.
You’ll just have to accept it – I’m afraid.
Yet another example of “Madmen with machine guns” - as was so eloquently pointed out on this blog, a long time ago now.
Chin up laddie, for I feel you are one of the best, and there can be no doubt, that others will too.
It would be so wonderful to welcome you aboard my magnificent, ultra modern OBO or Oil Orer, in the sky, she’ll be Orange and grey with some cream, and perhaps, a white kangaroo on her sides, dashing around the celestial sphere, (from P to Z and to X) always “heavy”, for at least 75% of the time.
Aye laddie, I look forward to that time, and until then I bid you farewell and safe sailing, trusting in the interim, that should you see me some clear starry twighlight,( or even some “braw bricht moonlicht night”) you will have no hesitation in “shooting” me with your sextant, through a keen eye, remembering to swing it, at all times.
Aye that’ll be fine laddie, – so it will.
Have a great Xmas, and a happy and prosperous new year.
Bye:-
wink wink, wink wink, wink wink.
Hey Alistair,
Bow thrusters and variable pitch – very nice.
But you clearly need experience with a conventional screw.
And the toots on the whistle – do count.
Copied & Pasted from deck-officer.
Security:- Oh my God, You just would not believe it.
Quote:-
I have been asked by bulkshipsurveyor, (now on the verge of being subjected to an "induced coma") to advise your members not to purchase any publication from the "Nautical Institute" without borrowing it from a library first, and carefully assessing it's content. He also suggested that you all write to your members of parliament, both national, and where applicable, european, petitioning for that Institution to being stripped of any charity status it currently holds.
What they charge for "Garbage" (in some cases) just beggars belief, and there are third world students out there, trying to better themselves, and are being screwed - something stupid, in the process. - It's outrageous.
Books are precious - from the start - at least good ones are. Stick to Brown Son & Ferguson, or the Cornell Maritime Press - he suggests.
Are you back yet ?
Are you back yet ?
Are you back yet ?
Oh well it does not look like you got back in time.
Merry Christmas - Nevertheless.
Santa
wink wink
24th Dec 2008.
Merry Christmas from the cast - too
I am returned from sea, after a very long journey home - New Zealand is beautiful - Looking forward to the final 'slog' at Warsash, and all being well the procurement of a 'ticket' in the summer time. I was pleased to receive a fair and good evaluation report on my progress from my final vessel as a cadet. Equally pleased to have finished my time at sea as a Cadet. Fun though it has been, I am now very keen to progress to the Officer ranks, and prove myself in practice.
I note some odd comments on this page in the last few weeks, not sure what to make of many of them, I guess they are not all directed at me?!
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