day 21

On deck this morning stowing scaffolding away and making some lines to go around the deck hatches when opened. Good splicing practise. After lunch the 3^rd mate and I were checking the CO₂ fixed installations, the emergency escape breathing device (a small air tank with approx 10 mins). These are used to escape from locations of high risk of fire and also areas that are more difficult to escape from, the galley, engine room etc.

Wind has increased again, F7/8 although it is behind us so the ship isn’t rolling or pitching too much.

In my ‘down time’ im learning COLREGS for weekly test on Sunday, starting off with only rule 5/6 and lights/shapes.

We also had our first BBQ this evening, although I still had to be on the bridge at 2000 for navigational watch*

Current location is almost at the coast of Senegal

*There are three watches in the day covered by the three deck officers (mates), chief does 0400-0800 and 1600-2000, 3^rd mate 0800-1200 and 2000-0000, 2^nd does 0000-0400 and 1200-1600. During these times, the officer is on the bridge, maintaining a lookout, recording positions, ensuring the passage plan is being followed, etc. So I’m up there also, learning how to effectively ‘drive’ the ship.

Day 19

Another good morning on deck, grinding the deck of the monkey island (the ‘roof’ of the bridge) in preparation for paint. I had a meeting with the chief engineer and 4^th engineer to make questions for the auditing of the bridge procedures.

The wind had picked up again to a F7, it has lifted the sea but its blowing from the east, off the Sahara, so its warm.

Last night on watch, we had a ship on a collision course. Its amazing how we are in the middle of nowhere, 150nM offshore and we meet another ship and have to take avoiding action.

Monday is ‘cossing the line’ day, shenanigans for all of us newbies, kissing fish, drinking sea water etc.

Currently off the coast off Mauritania, no pirates out here thankfully. ETA Cape Town is evening of 10/12/11

Day 18

  Fire fighting equipment

  BA sets

I spent this morning on deck. First job was to check all the lashings on the cargo, tightening any that needed it.  Next came pressure washing the deck to remove the salt in preparation for paint. At 1030, we had a fire drill. The alarm sounded and I mustered on the bridge with the rest of Bravo fire team. I donned the fire suit and breathing apparatus and made my way to the chain locker where smoke had been seen. It turned out not to be a fire but the motorman had been welding and collapsed due to lack of oxygen, so the job was to extract him safely using the stretcher and block and tackle.

As I’m now on watch with the 3^rd officer, his other job on board is safety officer. As part of his monthly planned maintenance we checked the breathing apparatus/fire fighting equipment, tank rescue equipment for defects and recharge the air bottles.

Current Posn approx. 23° 40' N 019° 30' W

Day 17

Swell has dissipated trade winds now behind us. I’m changing watch today, so I’ve got a full 12 hours off before the 8-12.

The morning was spent doing navigation calculations and sorting the cabin out. The afternoon, a few of the crew and me were sunbathing on the helideck. Tomorrow, I’ll be working on deck, ‘learning the ropes’ in the morning then back into the bridge at night.

I'm on an auditing team for the annual ISM audit. Each department studies another departments paperwork and procedures, trying to highlight any discrepancies.

Day 16

Swells building, currently approximately 7m. Winds gale F8, rough seas, no traffic. 500nM West of Gibraltar Straits, sea temp steadily increasing, now 21°C.

Not much out of the ordinary to report, Captain has kept us on both engines, ‘due to the weather’ really its so we can get to barbeque climates more quickly. We have almost reached our most westerly position for this leg, 019° W. Then its due south for 1400nM then finally east towards Cape Town.

I  ‘shot’ Jupiter this morning to obtain compass error, then later this evening I shot Venus.

Saw the light house of Madeira, 30nM away.

Day 16

Morning watch was quiet, with only one ship appearing at the end of the watch. Wind has been building from a F3 to a F6-7. Two days steaming and we will be off the Canary Islands.  An interesting Navigation warning came through this morning, ‘Submarine Volcanic Activity in the vicinity of the Canary isles.’

The evening watch was equally as quiet with easing weather.

Day 15

Not much sleep last night due to the large swell that has continued all night and into the morning. The forward ‘flopper stoppers*’ were filled this morning, which has taken most of the roll off the ship.

A French navy spotter helicopter circled the ship this morning, followed by the warship it came from. They were just coming to check us out and give a wave. Also this morning I saw my first whale of the trip, fairly sure it was a minke.

A new job has been added to my list to do on watch; sending a meteorological report to the met office, fairly straight forward, take the measurements, fill in a form and email it to them. It has to be done every 6 hours.

No ships or land in any direction for at least 96nM (maximum range of radar). A beautiful evening, although the swell is still present.

Ship life is going well, the crew are all helpful and very welcoming. I’m enjoying my time at work, definitely in the right career.

 

Half way down the coast of Portugal.  

*This is a large tank (100m³) just below the bridge, it is filled to 75% capacity. As the ship rolls, the water sloshes to the low side, as the roll returns the water is slowed by baffles within the tank. This has the effect of dampening the roll.