Sunday 1 st
of January 2006
and I didn't forgot to write 2006 instead of 2005.
Before continuing I just want to remind you of those in need. I hope that you joined www.greenpeace.org
and www.amnesty.org
last year.
You still have the chance to join
Greenpeace and Amnesty now. They need every cent they can get. It's as simple as visiting their web pages and join. You only need your credit card number and expiry date. I did it and it took me 23 seconds.
We reached Islas Canarias on my night watch. We passed between Fuerteventura and CapYubi in Morocco and I could hear Spanish Radio during the night.
But the music left more than a little to wish for.
3rd Engineer was up drinking tea on the bridge telling me all about the life in Hull and Newcastle. I told him about the Captain in Donsötank telling the Pilot on River Humber how hard it was with the time difference between England and the rest of Europe.
- It's only one hour, the pilot said.
- Yeah, but it's hundred years as well.
I also told him some stories from County Hotel in Immingham, but I can't write those stories here. We have to think about them with parental filter in their web browsers.
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Monday 2 nd
of January 2006
and the weather was good when I came on my morning watch. Sunshine and 18°C. I spent the afternoon on deck checking fire flaps. I also took a long walk before my shower. Our Steward had bought a new computer in Spain and he wanted me to copy all my pictures for him. I copied 500MB to my USB memory and I will give it to him at dinner.
Well, of course I forgot my USB memory when it was time for dinner. When I came to the mess room our 3rd Engineer was already eating. He kept me company when he was finished.
- I keep you company with a cup of coffee, he said.
He returned with a cup of tea.
- Well, maybe we can make a man out of you, I said.
After dinner I was off to my cabin and my web page. I hadalso copied some music that I had to sort out, busy busy. Now I have been onboard for about 3 weeks and Ihaven't opened my school books. I'm learning a language and I thought that I should have plenty time on the ship. But I have to wait until I became a Captain.
Then there is plenty time. Well, except for the Captain that needed 4 hours to write and send an e-mail. Then 12 hours are soon gone and you've been busy all day long.
It was soon time for my night watch. I bring my iPod with all my MP3 music. Soon 6000 songs andthat's enough to last MC Aladdin a few hours. HEY! Did I tell you about the American guy in my school, yeah, I was in school before coming on this ship. I study a new language, well, anyway. We had lunch and we walked to thecantina when he asked me:
- Are you an MC?
- A what? I asked.
- Yeah, you look like an MC.
- What the hell is an MC? I asked.
Well, he liked Hip Hop music, but he didn't know any of the “Old School” stuff, but he was prettyimpressed when I told him that I almost won the “ Sverige's Tjockaste Hip Hoppare 2005
” award.I came in second, J “50-skylten” Andersson made a remarkable final spurt and won the prize. He's a real hardcore Hip Hopper now.
It's only Hip Hop music and Motherfåcker this and Motherfåcker that. His fingers are pointing in all strange directions.
Second doesn't count, but I will give it a try 2006. I stole J “50-skylten” Andersson'sAli G glasses so I'm in the lead position for the prize.
Just after I got on my night watch our 3rd Engineer turned up for a cup of tea.
We talked about Ali G and I don't know how we got in to the subject salary. But when Iuploaded my web page in Spain I checked my bank account. No salary and I were so disappointed. This was not what I expected.
Our 3rd Engineer called his bank and there were no salary on his account. 2nd of January and no salary, he was very disappointed. I told him that I had worked on “Flag of convenient” before and that I had always had my salary at the end of the month.
I told him that I should have asked when they get their salary in Germany.
- Maybe they pay their bills and get their salary in the middle of the month in Germany.
I had been a little worried about mybank details. Captain has sent e-mails to the company asking if they had my bank details. But no answers.
No salary and I have not signed any contract.Next thing is the stowaway treatment.
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Tuesday 3 rd
of January 2006
and we were just NW of Nouakchott when I came on my morning watch. Next time we're stopping in Nouakchott on the way to Rio De Janeiro. But this time we're Nouakchott
Nouakchott is the Capital of Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Mauritania is bounded by Morocco and the Western Sahara in the North. It's bounded by Algeria in the NE and by Mali in the East and SE.
Republic of Senegal is their Southern neighbour.
Islamic Republic of Mauritania have a total area of 1 030 700 km³ and French and Arabic are the official languages.
Islamic Republic of Mauritania became independent in November 1960.
just passing without stopping and I can't say that I was sorry for that.
I had a nice morning watch with 23°C and a cooling wind from NE. Days like this we can work for free. Well, that's literally what I'm doing. I got e-mail from my bank today.
- No money!
This is exactly the things we don't want to worry about when on a ship in the middle of the Arquipélago de Cabo Verde
Arquipélago de Cabo Verde consists of 10 islands. Bõa Vista is the island closest to Africa and lies about 315 NM NNW of Cap Vert and Dakar in Senegal. Maio lies about 330 NM west of Cap Vert and Dakar. The islands of Cap verde lies between 14° and 18° North and 22° 40' and 26° 30' West.
Arquipélago de Cabo Verde was discovered 1460 and back then the islands were inhabited. At 1462 the first settlers arrived.
Arquipélago de Cabo Verde became independent 5th of July 1975 after having been an autonomous territory of Portugal.
Atlantic. There are bills that have to bepaid even if we're in the middle of the Atlantic.
We see tonight, our 3rd Engineer will POP by for a cup oftea and he will call his bank to see if there has come any money to his account. We will reach Arquipélago de Cabo Verde in the evening so we have something to look at while drinking our tea. Captain will most likely POPby for a Diet drink. The more the merrier.
Our Bosun working on deck
The crew is busy on deck
The crew is busy on deck
Our Chief Officer is on a “Kick a••” diet. He's only eating Müsli and water. I told our Cook that Iwill join Chief Officer's diet tomorrow so only oatmeal and water for me and it's not necessary to cook for me.
I had been on the bridge for a few minutes on my night watch when our 3rd Engineer came. We were out of milk so he brought a packet of milk.The evening tea on the bridge has really stroked our 3rd Engineer's fancy.
It's better to spend time on the bridge with virtuous people than sitting in the cabin alleviating your boredom by banging your head in the bulkhead until you fall asleep.
It was a beautiful evening and the stars were out. 23°C and a cooling wind, and of course our tea tasted good.
Always tea and good music on the bridge
Enjoying his tea while watching the stars
3rd Engineer had just left when Captain came up for a Diet Drink. This is good, we're retardingthe ships time on my watch so I'm on watch for 5 hours. All the visitors make the time turn a little faster.
We were talking about the good 'ol times and especially about Sweden. Our Captain always talked about Sweden. When he left the bridge I attended the log book.
I was writing in the log book when the AB on my watch came sneaking up with a SNICKERS®.
- Captain told me to give you this, he said.
- SABOTAGE!!!
This is exactly what I don't need. I will have a serious talk with him tomorrow. We're starting our diet tomorrow and SNICKERS® is thelast thing I need.
At 2251 I reached our WP SE of Arquipélago de Cabo Verde and I changed from course 210° to steer course 206° towards Capo De São Tome.
The last hour of my watch wentpretty quick, we meet 2 ships and we were closing in on one ship on our starboard side. Not much traffic to write home about.
Well, actually, not much exciting to write about at all, but it's better than all the excitements back home. Senior citizens complaining about all the rowdyism and they don't dare go out. Yeah, Kalmar, Sweden 2005
My watchman
Suddenly there was something to look at
The only disturbing element is the fact that I haven't received any salary, neither has our 3rd Engineer. We see, Captain will ask the company tomorrow about our salary. But now it's too late, all the bill should have been paid end of December.
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Wednesday 4 th
of January 2006
and still nice weather. A steady wind from NE force 3-4 and somegrey clouds when I came on my morning watch.
When I came down for lunch there was oatmeal for me. I will have my dinner with Chief Officer on the bridge inthe evening. We have a plan:
Instead of eating our oatmeal and müsli in the mess room with all the temptations (n utella
®) we will eat an Oatmeal (Müsli) surprise on the bridge at 17:30 when I'm relieving him for dinner. We willhopefully never have to see any n utella
® again.
At 17:30 I went to the bridge with my oatmeal. Chief Officer made big eyes when I mixed my “Oatmeal Surprise”.
- Do you use honey? He asked.
- Only water and oatmeal, Sundays, maybe a little sugar, I said.
He mixed his surprise and I must say that he looked more than a little sceptical.
Chief Officers first ever Oatmeal Surprise
But it was not only joy and bright prospects. Just when I was drinking my tea and eating my
Oatmeal Surprise while imagining myself slender like a Greyhound (No, not the famous bus) our Chief Officer came to the bridge with all his Christmas chocolate.
- The AB can eat it during his night watch, he said.
- For fåck's sake! You don't know me! PLEASE! Hide the chocolate for me.
I told him that the only place left for me to eat my oatmeal without temptations were the Fo’c’s’le.
- I have to pitch my camp on the Fo’c’s’le and you have to send our Steward with a packet of oatmeal every now and then, I said.
It was soon time to relieve Chief Officer on the bridge. I'm usually going to the bridge at 19:45 or 19:50 to have a chat with our Chief Officer. I also prepare my tea and my iPod.
Our 2nd Mate has his, I don't know what to call it. But it's a
cassette adapter. You connect your CD player or MP3 player to the cassette and then you insert the cassette in the cassette player and push “PLAY”.
It's easier than tuning my Hip Hop transmitter for the iPod, especially when we're close to shore and there are plenty radio stations. But at the middle of the ocean there is no problem.
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Thursday 5 th
of January 2006
and it started to rain on my morning watch. The weather was gloomy and grey, but no wind. Captain came for tea at 10 o'clock and we started to discuss sport. I told him that I tried to stay on the ship during all major sport events.
- It's too much at home. 24/7 with Olympic Games and all the other stuff.
Captain mentioned the World Championship in Soccer in Germany the summer 2006.
- German a•• will be kicked when the Swedish team arrives, I said.
- No no, the Swedes will cry, he said.
When I came for lunch I told our British Engineers that I heard the funniest thing today.
- Someone told me that the German soccer team will kick a•• during the World Championship!
Our Steward had to come and pick up our Britons from the floor.
- The Swedes will get their a•• kicked! Captain said.
- The only time I heard the word German mentioned in connection with soccer is together with Adidas, and I think that's Spanish now, I said.
Our Steward asked if I wanted some potato pancakes, my favourite.
- Can't you wait to ask me until the others have left the mess, I said.
I'm on a diet and I'm not eating, but the Steward keeps asking me what I want to eat. I only wish he could wait until we were alone.
In the afternoon it was time for a Videotel training course on video. The whole crew mustered in the officer's dayroom and we spent one hour in front of the video.
Watching video
Watching video
Watching video
Watching video
After the video and I was off to the bridge and my oatmeal surprise. Chief Officer was mixing sugar in his oatmeal today. Maybe it tastes a little better.
Before going on my night watch I wrote a little on my web page. I thought about the “ Sverige’s Tjockaste Hip Hoppare 2005
” award. If I came in second, it's that's the same as winning the “ Sverige’s näst Tjockaste Hip Hoppare 2005
” award. I gave it a real thought, but I must say that I was disappointed. I had not received any award so I guess it's not the same.
I hope that Chief Officer's Christmas candy is gone when I come on my night watch. I put the rest of the candy in 2nd Officer's drawer during my morning watch and I hope that I never have to see the candy again.
Our Brazilian schedule has been changed due to the delay. We got a telex during the afternoon with order to proceed straight to Itajai.
I went to the bridge at 19:40 in it was crowded up there. 2nd officer eating chocolate and the AB on the 12-4 watch were visiting the bridge as well. Captain was on the phone so there were plenty people on the bridge.
- What is this? Bridge watch level 5? I asked.
I told Chief Officer that Captain told me that he thought I had lost 5 kg since joining the ship.
Chief Officer burst out in laughter and 2nd Officer almost pissed his pants laughing.
- Maybe 1 or 2 kg, they said.
Well, the T-shirt I was wearing fitted me nicely. When I came onboard, well, it was not too small but very tight if you understand what I mean. Now it fits me nice.
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Friday 6 th
of January 2006
and the wind had changed direction. It was blowing from SSE and itwas gloomy and grey when I came on my morning watch.
But the sun was soon shining again and at the end of my watch it was nice weather.
Our Chief Officer don't give up on the oatmeal surprise, he really forced himself to eat the Oatmeal Surprise in the afternoon. And that's even though he add sugar. I asked him ifsugar didn't counteract on the “FAT TO FLAT” effect. Honey might be a better alternative.
Sugar is something we can add on Sundays to make it a wee bit more festive.
He doesn’t give up on the Oatmeal Surprise
He doesn’t give up on the Oatmeal Surprise
The Oatmeal Surprise is most likely not growing to be any favourite
He really forced himself to eat Oatmeal Surprise
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Saturday 7 th
of January 2006
and, yeah, believe it or not. Its Christmas again.Our Ukrainian crew celebrates Christmas today. Darn, and we just managed to finish all theChristmas candy from the REAL Christmas on the 24th.
When I came to the bridge for our evening oat our Chief Officer told me that he had forgot to bring oatmeal to the bridge. We ate the last oatmeal yesterday and he told me that he would bring more for today.
Well, not even on aladdin.st you can trust everything. I took the picture of our Chief Officer eating the oatmeal yesterday. I had prepared the picture for today thinking that it will be oatmeal on the bridge, the usual procedure.
- I will bring oatmeal when I'm coming back from the Christmas dinner, he said.
He came back 10 minutes later with a box filled with oatmeal packages and milk.
- This is the last oatmeal onboard, He will order more for next time taking provision, he said.
Hmm, no more oatmeal before Jebel Ali, but we have the black bread. I will try to skip lunch as well from now on. Today I had a long lunch with 3rd Engineer. We didn't leave the table until 1 o'clock. I had several cups of tea and more than one n utella
® sandwich.
Well, now I hope the Christmas is over, hmm, when do they celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ukraine? I will go and ask. I went down with my empty Diet drink cans at 18 thirty, we have a bin for metal garbage on 2nd poop deck. I passed our Engineer's cabin for a chat, the cabin was empty. I went down to our mess room to look for him. Christmas dinner in full swing. So I had to make some tea to keep them company. And I had a couple of n utella
® sandwiches with my tea.
I promised myself and our Steward that I will not come to the mess room any more. From now on its black bread on the bridge. I asked our Steward about the New Year, and yes, it's next Saturday. But I will have my New Year Dinner and lunch on the bridge.
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Sunday 8 th
of January 2006
and I don't need to put any picture of Chief Officer eating oatmeal today. We seen it all yesterday and we save downloading time and space on my web hotel.We're saving money!
It's going to be nice to arrive to Itajai on Tuesday. The crew are looking forward to the disco. Well, I wish I were 20 years old again.
The crew only smiles when I ask them if they are going to disco.
I hope I have time to go to internet cafe and check my e-mail. I will see if my previous company has sent my certificate were they certify the reason why I gave my own notice. But after 6 months and no answer from the company there is not much hope.
I must call the Swedish Maritime Administration in Norrköping and ask for a
copy of the report Veritas Tankers gave when all the narcotics onboard was taken and leaving Kaliningrad one man short.
- What! You don't think they reported that they left berth without Captain?
- Of course they did, this is a serious company and they follow the law.
No problem, I will get my certificate sooner or later. But it's interesting how this company think they can do as they want. Never mind for them if I lose 3000$. They don't bother replying on e-mail, they do as they please. They have no manners.
Well, it's strange everything has to be done the hard way and I have to ask for a copy from the Swedish Maritime Administration in Norrköping.
I will also buy a real tea cup. We remember the cup I bought in Kaliningrad with ourMotorman. We all remember that adventure.
I will try to find linseed on the super market. But no disco, I can just imagine coming onboard at 0530 and then going on watch. No, I have done all that already and at 22 I'm too old for that.
But it's nice to have done it so I know how I would feel like if I would have done it.
I got 10 GB of music of our 3rd engineer so I'm sure I will manage to keep myself busy. I think most of the 10GB will go to the recycle bin.
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Monday 9 th
of January 2006
and we passed Capo De São Tome when I came on my morning watch at 0800. At 1100 I could see land for the first time since passing Canary Islands. I could see Ilha do Cabo Frio on my starboard side. Today there were plenty traffic and fishing vessels on my watch. Good, I don't have to feel lonely.
After my watch I went with our 4th Engineer to start our Rescue boat motor. We also start the lifeboat engine and our emergency generator and emergency fire pump. We do this every Monday.
We start the MOB boat engine
4th Engineer in the MOB boat
We start the life boat engine
We start the emergency generator
Oil spil kit
Oil spill kit conveniently carried in the pocket
Assistant Electrician on deck
2nd & 3rd Engineer
Motorman
3rd Engineer
3rd Engineer
3rd Engineer
3rd & 4th Engineer
2nd Engineer
Relaxing in the work shop
3rd Engineer relaxing in the work shop
When we were ready I went down in the engine room to watch all the “action” I heard about in the mess room. But I must have ended up in the wrong place, there were no action to see.
I kept my self busy with 3rd Engineers music during the afternoon. MP3 is a good thing. When I was relieved by 2nd Officer yesterday I took my iPod and I told him:
- Do you remember when we had to carry bags with cassettes to the ships?
On this iPod, the size of a cassette I have music so we can play noon stop from Brazil to Jebel Ali (3 weeks) without listening to the same song twice. And the iPod is not even half full.
I hope I'm ashore tomorrow afternoon uploading all this to the internet. We have ETA Itajai pilot midday tomorrow and I hope we can go straight to berth so I can go ashore.
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Tuesday 10 th
of January 2006
and we were not far away from Itajai pilot station when I came on my morning watch. EOSP at 10:00 - POB at 11:01 - All fast at 11:58
When I spoke with the pilot station they wanted the pilot ladder on starboard side. But when thepilot boat came they wanted the ladder on port side. There were some swell coming from behind. But finally at 11:01 our pilot was onboard safe. I had time to pester our Chief Engineer for drinking coffee while waiting for the pilot. ECR is located at the deck office on poop deck. So we see the Engineers all the time at stand-by. It's nice to crack a few jokes. Especially on board Pegasus where we have nice Engineers.
It's not like the Japanese VLCC I worked on with the ECR on the bridge. Duty Engineer came up stinking like a brewery and told me that he wanted to talk about safety. (I used to turn of the light in the ECR during the night time so I could see out from the bridge. The Engineer didn't like that)
Well, anyway, he came on the bridge drunk and he wanted to talk about safety with me.
- Get out of my face, Bozo! I said.
Engine department on deck looking at Brazil
Waiting for the Pilot
Chief Officer on the bridge
Preparing the ropes on the fo'c's'le for arrival
Itajai - Entrance to the river
Itajai - Passing the breakwater
Itajai - Getting our tugboat forward
Itajai
Itajai - Crew stand-by on the fo'c's'le
Itajai - Crew stand-by on the fo'c's'le
Itajai
Itajai
Itajai
Itajai
Itajai
Itajai
Itajai
Arriving to Itajai
Arriving to Itajai
We had to go up a river passing the city of Itajai to the container terminal. The terminal is a 5 minuteswalk from the city center. Very convenient.
There were 2 ships at the jetty when we arrived, container vessel MV Safmarine Cunene and MV Pipit Arrow from Nassau loading boards. MV Safmarine Cunene had arrived just 20 minutes before us.
We were mooring with 2 spring lines and 3 head lines. We wanted 3 long head lines but the boatmen refused to shift our head lines.
We also wanted 2 long spring lines, but we got 1 long and 1 breast line. It'sthe rain season and during heavy rain there is a very strong current in the river. Sometimes it's necessary to have our main engine stand-by.
When we were ready at the Fo’c’s’le I went straight for my shower and I were off to the city. I went together with our Assistant Electrician. We waited for the AB on my watch, he was going ashore as well. But he never showed up, I think it was some misunderstanding due to the language barrier. If you understand me?
While waiting our 2nd Officer waved good bye from the Fo’c’s’le and we were off just after 13:00. What do you call those time travel things? Time warp? It was like being back in the 70's in Sweden. I remember those old Scania and Volvo trucks. I haven’t seen them for at least 30 years. Here they were everywhere and in mint condition.
SCANIA 1115 in mint condition
Alongside in Itajai
Alongside in Itajai
On the way to the gate we meet the guy with the seaman's shop outside the gate. He's from Greecebut has lived in Itajai for many years.Hmm, I wonder what makes you want to move to a place like Itajai? I refuse to think it's because of all the action and the FUNKY night clubs around here.
We had a word with him and he handed us his name card. He was surprised when he heard that Iwas from Sweden. He thought I was Russian. We continued to the city. We had things to seeand shop. Pictures had to be taken and all this before 18:00 when it was time to go on watch again. Our Assistant Electrician had to be onboard to connect reefer containers during loading.
We walked the town and I bought me a carpet for me cabin. I also bought me a tea cup. Our Assistant Electrician had been here before and he wanted to go to a shopping mall just outside city center.
It was a 15 minutes’ walk and, yes, it was a big super market. There were a coffee shop as well and I bought a bottle of water.
I had to borrow 100$ from the 3rd Engineer when I went ashore. We were changing Captainin Itajai and he had closed the account when I asked for cash. But our 3rd Engineer had $. He wanted me to buy PRINGLES and deodorant for him, so I took the opportunity to do it in the super market.
We had been ashore for a few hours and we had not seen any beautiful girls at all. It's strange, otherwise after 1 month at sea all the girls are beautiful. But here they all looked like truck drivers with 2,1 meter between the back pockets.
- What time it is? I asked Assist. Electrician.
- 1410, he said.
- OK, let’s synchronise our watches and let's see how many beautiful girls we seen after 1 hour, I said.
After 1 hour our Assist. Electrician told me that he agreed with me.
- Strange, no beautiful girls, he said.
On the way back we stopped at an internet cafe and I uploaded my web page. We walked towards theport and I spent my last Scooby Dollars on black “FITNESS” bread at a super market. At this supermarket we saw 2 possible 3 beautiful girls.
On the way back we stopped at our Greek friend and I saw that he had good shoes for sale.
- If we're here tomorrow I will buy from you. Otherwise I come back next time, I said.
We we're back onboard in good time for 18:00. At 18:35 we started loading and at 21:40 discharging were complete. When I got of my watch at midnight we were almost ready with the loading.
Coming back to Pegasus from the city of Itajai
Coming back to Pegasus from the city of Itajai
Coming back to Pegasus from the city of Itajai
Coming back to Pegasus from the city of Itajai
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Wednesday 11 th
of January 2006
and I were called for at 01:30. Time for a stowaway searchbefore departure. Pilot was ordered for 0200.
Pilot came onboard at 02:16 and we left Itajai at 02:24 and I was off to my bed just after 3 o'clock. We have about 12 hours to Santos so all sleep is needed.
After my morning watch I went straight to bed after some paper work and when
I woke up we were anchored outside Santos. During the morning we received e-mail that pilot would board us at 1800. But now we were waiting for M/V MOL Miracle to be ready. ETD 2100, but as you know by now, shipping is an uncertain business so we never know.
Well, I was busy drinking tea and listen to our 3rd Engineers stories on my night watch. The time turned quick and it was soon 21:50 when Santos pilot called me on VHF ch 11.
- Pilot will board you at 23:00@ buoy #1.
We had our anchor up at 22:30, and as usually we had to wait. There were 1 ship before us and we didn't got our pilot until 23:35.
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Thursday 12 th
of January 2006
and we had first line ashore at 00:18 and all fast at 00:30. We started to discharge with 3 cranes at 01:00.
At 03:30 we started to load and at 06:15 loading were complete and at 06:45 discharging were completed. Pilot onboard at 07:52 and we left Santos at 07:18.
It was a sunny and nice day and I enjoyed the view when we passed Santos on the river. When we arrived yesterday we could hear music and plenty parties everywhere on both sides of the river. But today it was only noise from the traffic.
We dropped our pilot at 07:45 and we were on the way towards Paranagua, ETA 15:30. It's not many hours between the ports and not much sleep. But we are still young and we can handle it. But I hope I can get a few hours of sleep in the afternoon.
Rio Estuario de Santos - Leaving Santos, Brazil
Leaving Santos, Brazil
Leaving Santos, Brazil
Leaving Santos, Brazil
Leaving Santos, Brazil
Leaving Santos, Brazil
Leaving Santos, Brazil
Ship approaching the port of Santos, Brazil
At this jetty there was music and party when we arrived
We're out from the river Rio Estuario de Santos
Santos Beach front and the Pilot boat waiting for us
Santos Beach front from the Atlantic Ocean - Click HERE
for bigger picture
Ship arriving to Santos, Brazil
Ship arriving to Santos, Brazil
Some old wreck anchored outside Santos, Brazil
Bosun on the fo'c's'le when we're leaving Santos, Brazil
Captain with the ECDIS when we're leaving Santos, Brazil
ABs washing the bridge after departure from Santos, Brazil
ABs washing the bridge after departure from Santos, Brazil
ABs washing the bridge after departure from Santos, Brazil
2nd Officer making the noon report after departure from Santos, Brazil
I steered 202°(t) and at 09:55 I had I. Queimada Grande in bearing 333° and distance 7,1 NM. I changed course to 235°(t) and that was the course I kept when I was relieved by 2nd Officer at 12:00. It's always nice to be relieved and I was off to our mess room and our lunch.
Soup and tea with 3rd Engineer and then a little paper work and sleep.
When I relieved Chief Officer for dinner we were anchored. We had dropped our anchor at 15:45 and he told me that pilot would board us at 19:00. Good, about 20 hours along side and maybe I can go ashore to upload my web page tomorrow afternoon.
I spent the evening with my web page and a few cans of Diet drinks. At 19:45 they called for stations fore and aft. I don't know what time we had all fast in Paranagua, and I'm not going to run up to the bridge to check either. But it was around 20:30 and This space is for sale!
If you have a product or a service to sell you can advertise here.
we started to discharge at 21:05.
We got a new Chief Engineer today and our 3rd Engineer is happy. They are both from Hull so they will have a lot to talk about. 3rd Engineer knows that I'm not impressed by Hull. I told him the story about last time we discharged timber in Hull and everything closed at 23:00.
The TAXI driver took us to a place that turned out to be a whorehouse. It was on the second floor in a mangy house. Well, the girls could not have turned us on even if we hadspent the last 15 years on Alcatraz.
To make a long story short: We left for the ship before very very quickly.
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Friday 13 th
of January 2006
and cargo operation were in full swing when I came on my morning watch. They had used 1 crane during the night and when they resumed work again at 06:40after 1 hour brake, they used 2 cranes.
We completed cargo operation at 12:35 and we left Paranagua 13:18. I was in bed just after 14:00 and I woke up at 16:30, just in time for a Diet drink.
I have found a picture of MV Pegasus when she was new on the ships computer (b4 the hard drive seized) and I put it on my web page so you can see a container ship hauling a••.
When I came to the mess room after relieving Chief Officer for dinner I could see that our 3rd Engineer and the new Chief Engineer hadn't eating their dinner. I called 3rd Engineer.
- Yo!! Where are you?
- We're coming in a jiff!
After dinner I did my laundry and I went to the 3rd Engineers cabin to finish the tube of PRINGLES I started the other day with our 3rd Engineer's cabin. Chief Engineer and 3rd Engineer were sitting there talking about the good old days.
And I? I finished the tube of Pringles, and well, at least I'm better prepared for the “ Sverige’s Tjockaste Hip Hoppare
” award next year. Now I understand all the words like “ Chilling
” and “ Lounging
”. Comes in handy when it times to compete for the “ Sverige’s Tjockaste Hip Hoppare
” award.
Engineers relaxing like only Engineers know how to do
We had received e-mail that they expected us to get pilot at 17:00 tomorrow and estimated time for departure was 00:00 15th of January 2006.
Well, midnight is a good time to leave. We will make 128 lifts in Rio Grande, we're discharging 6 containers so that means that we're loading 122 containers.
+++++++++++++++
Saturday 14 th
of January 2006
and it was very nice weather when I came on my morning watch. No
operation start 060114 - 18:00 after M/V Ariabisetia
Berth/Pier: South Berth
towage assist: 1 tug
operations terminal operator: TECON RIO GRANDE
loading full dry: 033 - discharge full dry: 006
loading full reef: 089 - discharge full reef: 000
loading empty: 000 - discharge empty: 000
total move: 128
vessel crane required. nil
shore crane to be used: 1 gantry and 1 mobile crane
operation end 060114 - 23:30
ets berth 060115 - 00:00
wind and not to hot.
I spent the morning preparing TELEX for the Danish Metrological Institute. They will advise us on our route when passing the Atlantic and Indian Ocean on the way to Jebel Ali.
So they need our intended route and estimated speed and time for departure from Rio Grande.
After lunch I prepared some pictures with our Fireman's outfits for Captain to send to the company. We ordered new outfitsafter our last fire drill. I showed some pictures of Fireman's outfit on Swedish ships and Captain wanted some of those pictures to send to the company.
I managed to get 1 hour of sleep in the afternoon as well. I really hope that we will leave Rio Grande at midnight, but you never know.
We had to wait a little for the pilot at arrival to Rio Grande pilot station. He boarded us around 18:00 and we had all fast around 7 o'clock and we started cargo operation at 19:15. They had changed the loading plan and we were only loading 75 containers. They expected us to be ready at 22:30 - 23:00. Good news for me
Loading containers in Rio Grande, Brazil
Loading containers in Rio Grande, Brazil
Loading containers in Rio Grande, Brazil
Loading containers in Rio Grande, Brazil
Loading containers in Rio Grande, Brazil
Loading containers in Rio Grande, Brazil
Loading containers in Rio Grande, Brazil
A container's way from the truck to the cargo hold
Our Steward is the gangway watch
Cargo holds are full and we lift onboard the hatches
Cargo holds are full and we lift onboard the hatches
Cargo holds are full and we lift onboard the hatches
Cargo holds are full and we lift onboard the hatches
Cargo holds are full and we lift onboard the hatches
Cargo holds are full and we lift onboard the hatches
Now we can soon start loading containers on top of the hatches
Assistant Electrician can start to connect the reefer containers
Assistant Electrician can start to connect the reefer containers
Loading reefer containers on deck and Assistant Electrician connect them to power
Loading reefer containers on deck and Assistant Electrician connect them to power
More reefer containers coming on board in Rio Grande, Brazil
Assistant Electrician stand-by to connect the reefer containers
Assistant Electrician climbing up and down to connect reefer containers
Assistant Electrician busy connecting reefer container to the ships power supply
Chief Officer enjoying a Diet Drink
At 22:30 we had discharged 7 containers and loaded 75 containers and we left Rio Grande at 23:06. We have about 18 days to Jebel Ali.
+++++++++++++++
Sunday 15 th
of January 2006
and we had very nice weather when I came on my morning watch. Head wind, but only force 2. At 11 o'clock the wind increased and turned to an NW'ly wind and at 12 it was blowing force 5 from the North. Our Bosun was on deck checking our lashings. I was enjoying my tea while taking pictures of him working on deck.
A little later I had our Assistant Electrician climbing around in the mast putting up a wire for Captain's radio. So there was action all watch long and the time passed quickly.
Bosun on deck checking lashings
Bosun on deck checking lashings
Assistant Electrician busy putting up a radio antena
Assistant Electrician busy putting up a radio antenna
Assistant Electrician busy putting up a radio antenna
Assistant Electrician busy putting up a radio antenna
Assistant Electrician busy putting up a radio antenna
We had to change our route to South Africa as well. We buy advice on which route to use when passing the oceans from the Danish Metrological Institute. I think its Maersk paying the bill. We had received advice from the Danish Metrological Institute to proceed on rumb line from Rio Grande pilot to 35°S/35°W and then with great circle navigation to off Cape Agulhas and shortest way via Mozambique Channel to Jebel Ali.
Now they changed it to great circle to a position just North of Tristan Da Cunha Group and then great circle navigation to a position 37°S/20°E of Cape Agulhas to avoid some gale.
I got a few hours of sleep during the afternoon and when Chief Officer came back from dinner he told me that 3rd Engineer were eating n
utella. I was in my cabin in 2 steps and I got my camera. Then I ran down to the mess room. But the only one I caught eating n
utella was the 2nd Officer.
n
utella