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Wednesday 1 st of March 2017 and we were starting the day with a work planning meeting and a tool box meeting. We were soon realising that our 3rd Officer would not come for the good
morning gymnastics so we started to move our asses to get in to shape.We have a lot of things to do, make everything ready after the discharging yesterday
and we will prepare for the loading as we expect to arrive to Malacca 4 o'clock in the morning.So our Pump Man started with the FRAMO purging and I was going to start the line blowing.
I took a sample of the cargo yesterday just to show the crew. LSWR turns to stone at +45°C and no one believes me. I shake the sample.
- Still some liquid
- Listen again, I said
- OH! It is like gravelYes, it is a big block and some lose stones in the bottle and this is nothing we want to have blocking our lines. I blow everything yesterday but a double check is necessary to avoid any unpleasant
surprises. But I had to start the day as Doctor Aladdin. I sent out the crew on deck and one of the ABs told me that he had an itchy eye.I gave an thorough examination and I sent an e-mail to radio medical in
Copenhagen. I gave him a eye wash and he rinsed his eye. No pain, just slightly itching. When we were ready I sent him on deck and I could start blowing the cargo lines, valve by valve.
Yes, there was no end to it. Discharge plan and I had to prepare check lists for arrival and the time passed very quickly and I went for a 10 minutes lunch break. We tested the IG after lunch and when this was ready we did the pre-arrival tests and checks. It was 3 o'clock and we were ready for discharging. I sent the crew to sleep as it will be some middle in the night action.
So far we know that it will be berthing on arrival. I went for a shower and an episode of Seinfeld in my cabin. Of course, a big cuppa to go with the Seinfeld. I had also the time to plan for my next visit to Singapore.
Singapore Strait
Coming back from Tonga and I will stay 10 days on Fiji, 10 days in Auckland and I'm set up for a 4 day birding tour in Auckland. I have changed my ticket with Singapore Airlines so I will stay
longer in Auckland. I will also stay 3 nights in Singapore and that will give me two full days for birding in some different “hot” spots I have found on the internet.Birding in the Botanical Garden and in Pasir Ris on day 1. Day 2 and it will be birding in the Hindhede Nature Park/ Bukit Timah nature reserve. Day 2 is a Saturday so I have put off the Sunday as a “Hangover day” just in case. And on day 1 going from the Botanical Garden to the Pasir Ris my plan is to buy some Canon equipment when passing through the city.
Why not buy it in Thailand? Yeah, I bought Canon for 300 000 Baht and then, yeah, we remember the service they gave me with the burnt pixel. I have not bought anything from Canon in Thailand after that. I buy the stuff I need when I'm abroad. Canon Thailand will not make any more money from me. An amazing attitude towards their customers!
Breakfast: A cup tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Hakkebøff
Snacks: Nil. OK, I might have...
Dinner: Hakkebøff and salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: No time
+++++++++++++++
Thursday 2 nd
of March 2017
and I woke up quarter to 9. I had turned off my alarm as I had expected an early wake-up call. But we dropped anchor 3 o'clock in the morning and we had expected to come along side at arrival. Pilot on board at 9 o'clock and we started to discharge at 3 thirty in the afternoon expecting to complete discharging early tomorrow morning.
Breakfast: A can of soda water on the bridge
Good morning gymnastics: No time
Lunch: I don't remember. But I only had time to sit down for 5 minutes
Snacks: Nil
Dinner: Meat and salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: No time
+++++++++++++++
Friday 3 rd
of March 2017
and they called me at 6 thirty, soon ready with discharging. Dead tired and the thing that gets me out of bed every morning when my alarm goes off is to think about birding in Singapore, Safari in Yala National Park, swimming with Humpback whales on Tonga and shark swim on Fiji etc.A shower and I was in the CCR where we completed discharging at 07:06. We finished the paper work at 10 and our Pilot was booked for 11 o'clock. I was not surprised when they called us at 11 thirty to tell us that pilot boarding time was changed to “between 3 and 3 thirty” in the afternoon. So we have to wait, again.
Of course, the Pilot boarded us just before dinner time and it was very late when I finally made it to the mess room and my dinner. 4 Chicken legs, a mug of tea and 2 sandwiches.
Breakfast: No time for breakfast
Good morning gymnastics: No time
Lunch: Meat and salad + some fresh French bread
Snacks: Nil,Hmm, maybe some of the smallest cookies I have ever seen
Dinner: 4 chicken legs + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: No time
+++++++++++++++
Saturday 4 th
of March 2017
and we got started with the good morning gymnastics as soon as our 3rd Officer came to the CCR. We are still anchored and I had most of the crew on poop deck to paint so we can finish the poop deck. We will also launch our MOB boat today so we prepared the boat so we can launch it after the coffee break.3rd Engineer is part of the MOB Team and he need to be in charge of the davit. We can do it by our self, but then we cannot put it as a drill as the whole MOB Team needs to participate in the MOB drill. So we will do this after the coffee break.
I started to do my Pre-drill planning’s. We can take the opportunity to do our drills while waiting to come alongside. And it takes longer to do the paper work than to do the drills. Anyway, on top
of all this paper work I had the paper work regarding the launch. Contingency plans and work permit, + of course the risk assessment and tool box meeting.And after lunch the 4th Engineer was going in to the life boat, so yet another tool box meeting and work permit. Good, time turned quick and it was soon time to go enjoy a soda water and a Saturday fun video in my cabin.
And this is “already” the fifth Saturday fun video since I joined in Chittagong. Time have passed quickly and it is soon time to go home for a snorkelling adventure/ training session in Malaysia. As I understand it I will be snorkelling with sharks, mantra rays and turtles. Perfect training for the big Humpback whale adventure on Tonga in October.
And here we go again with some Saturday fun
Breakfast: Tea in my cabin and a bread roll when I came down to the mess room
Good morning gymnastics: Of course
Lunch: Saturday
Snacks: Nil
Dinner: Saturday
Constitutional: They are painting in my track
+++++++++++++++
Sunday 5 th
of March 2017
and we are still anchored. The crew is painting and chipping on deck, otherwise it is a slow Sunday. No news or e-mails. Nice when it is quiet in the in-box over the
weekend.Of course, it didn't take long before it started to rain. The typical weather conditions in Malacca Strait. Sunshine then passing showers and soon sunshine again.
Breakfast: A cup tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Sunday
Lunch: Salad and meat
Snacks: Nil
Dinner: Spaghetti sauce, ribs + 2 cheese sandwiches
Constitutional: Sunday
“We don't need more fake news”
What does she mean? We have a low crime rate so we can bring in more!
“I based my answer on information that I had at the time, that the
number of reports of rapes went down in 2015”, the minister stated.
“It was wrong of me to speak of a development that was only based on one year”
number of reports of rapes went down in 2015”, the minister stated.
“It was wrong of me to speak of a development that was only based on one year”
+++++++++++++++
Monday 6 th
of March 2017
and we started the day with the good morning gymnastics. Tool box and safety meeting before I sent the crew on deck. We will have our drills after the coffeebreak. And drills means paper work, pre-planning and post-
report. So I was busy behind my desk. And on top of this I had to do work permits and more tool box and safety meetings.Our Pump Man and one of the ABs are going to grease the accommodation ladders so we needed work over board permits. But time was passing very quickly and it was soon 10 thirty and the CCR was full of people waiting for the drills.
We started with the ISPS drill and we had 7 more drills to do after that. Fire on deck and when we had finished the fire drill we went for a life boat muster. We finished the drills just in time for lunch, but as I had things to do I was 10 minutes late for lunch.
Our 3rd Officer, this is how we want him to look during the good morning exercises
- Hmm, why do I think about propaganda posters from the 30's when I see him dressed like this?
I had the quickest of lunch breaks before going back to the CCR. More work permits as we're going to launch our MOB boat to have a look at the bow thruster. So I had to pump our ballast in order to get the bow thruster above the water. It was 18 thirty when I had filled the ballast again and I returned to my cabin.
Yet another night to kill in my cabin. And in order to alleviate the boredom I plan for my future trips. And yesterday I completed the planning for the Tonga Humpback whale adventure. 10 nights in Auckland on my way back home.
Breakfast: A cup tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Oh yes, and it was nice
Lunch: Salad and BBQ chicken
Snacks: Nil
Dinner: Meat and salad + birthday cake
Constitutional: Still painting on deck around the superstructure
“Culture of tolerance,” may be building a “parallel” society in
the country by means of infiltrating political organisations
the country by means of infiltrating political organisations
+++++++++++++++
Tuesday 7 th
of March 2017
and we are still anchored off Sungai Udang Port, Melaka. But latest news is that we will come alongside tomorrow morning. The ship at OB1 is expected to leave around 8 o'clock in the morning and we will take her place.So we finished all the pre-transfer tests and checks. And I also prepared the discharge plan as it is not many hours form here to Tanjung pelepas where we will discharge. So the time turned quickly and it was soon time to go back to my room trying to kill another evening. My Humpback whale adventure is ready, last hotel booked.
My snorkelling on Perhentian Island and I'm in contact with the Perhentian Island Resort. I will also have a few days of bird watching in the Kuala Lumpur area. The leopard safari in Yala National park is also ready to get of the planning desk. Just need to confirm the dates for the Malaysian and Yala adventures. This I can do when I know more about when my reliever comes back and when I'm going to take the medical course.
I'm booked for a few days in Denmark in June, but if they can set me up in Bombay I would prefer that. So I really can't afford to alleviate my boredom in my cabin. Every time I'm bored I plan and book a safari and it is not cheap in the wilderness.
What about a movie? I looked through our DVDs and I saw a title Straight Outta Compton. I was very sceptic, Straight Outta Compton is a classic N.W.A album. I was about to give the DVD a skip as I expected a stupid comedy or something. Well, let's have a look! I read on the cover that it was a movie about N.W.A. A MUST SEE! I still remember when I bought the album in Go:teborg back in the days.
Straight Outta Compton
2015 ‧ Drama film/Biography ‧ 2h 47m
Straight Outta Compton - Official Global Trailer (Universal Pictures)
Eazy-E and the classic “Nobody move” from the album Eazy-Duz-It 1988
Ice Cube and the “Click,Clack Get Back!” from the album Laugh Now, Cry Later
N.W.A and Straight Outta Compton from the album Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A classic “_ _ _ _ the police” from the album Straight Outta Compton
And from N.W.A we have a few members that have done their own albums. Eazy-E is the one I like the most. Ice Cube have made a few good tunes, but he have been in quite a few good movies. OK, he have been in many bad, really bad movies as well.
Anyway, straight to my room to turn on the DVD and, well, Jeez! That was scary. I was soon realising that it was 30 years ago I bought the album.
Breakfast: A cup tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Oh yes, and it was nice
Lunch: Lamb chops and fruit
Snacks: Some almonds
Dinner: Spaghetti sauce, salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: Still painting on deck around the superstructure
+++++++++++++++
Wednesday 8 th
of March 2017
and we're still anchored when I and the Captain are coming in to the CCR 5 minutes after 8. No news about any berthing. We got started with the good morning gymnastics and after that, well, not much we could do as we don't know when we come along side.Poop deck is ready for painting, but we cannot have fresh paint on deck during the mooring. So the crew were painting some spots out of the way killing time until lunch time.
I told the crew to go sleep after lunch, we never know, this morning berthing can as well turn out to be a middle of the night berthing. I had time to arrange for a taxi for my Malaysian birding and snorkelling adventure.
RM250nett
Airport to Awana Resorts Genting
RM850nett
Awana Resorts Genting to Kuala Besut jetty
RM850nett
Kuala Besut jetty to Holiday Inn Express, Kuala Lumpur
RM100nett
Holiday Inn Express to airport
Total = RM2050 RM50 less =RM2000
I also had time to visit a web page of one of the Guides at Wrybill birding tours in Auckland. B1RDER: The birding blog of Eco-Vista | Brent Stephenson and now I know what to expect when I get to Tonga. I have got some good birding tips about Tonga from him so I know how to spend the Sundays on Tonga.
And seriously, never mind the birds if I can see the flying fox. We can see how he catch one flying fox on his web page. This I want to see, I have seen enough of them hanging upside down in a tree. But a flying one, that would be something.
Breakfast: A cup tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Oh yes, and it was nice
Lunch: Turkey and salad + fruit
Snacks: Some almonds
Dinner: Beef and salad + 2 cheese sandwiches
Constitutional: Still painting on deck around the superstructure
+++++++++++++++
Thursday 9 th
of March 2017
and I was back in bed at 7 o'clock in the morning. We started to load at 06:18 and they will soon call me again for the stop before the line flush. They will flush the
line with 1100m3 of gasoil as the Fuel Oil have a pour point of 33°CThey called me just after 12 o'clock, one hour notice before we had to stop for the line flush. Shower and I was just about to leave my room when they called.
They would soon stop as they didn't had enough cargo for us. 3000 bbls short. We stopped for 30 minutes and the terminal was lining up to flush the lines with gas oil. Completed loading at 14:18, 8 hours after start.
Cargo documents completed at 17:00 and I was ready with my stuff just in time for the dinner. Pilot booked for 19 thirty and Singapore next. Just for some paper work before going to Tanjung Pelepas and discharge the cargo. Just a stop in Singapore and it will not me a Malaysia to Malaysia voyage, the cargo have been abroad.
The crew having dinner
The crew having dinner
Breakfast: Sleeping
Good morning gymnastics: Sleeping
Lunch: Sleeping
Snacks: Butter cookies 2 o'clock in the morning and French bread with butter in the afternoon
Dinner: Salad, chicken and mashed potatoes. Yes, the bet is off today as the whole day come under the “crazy working hour” clause
Constitutional: No time
+++++++++++++++
Friday 10 th
of March 2017
and I was in my cabin when they dropped anchor in Singapore around 10 o'clock. I was in my cabin drinking tea and I went down in the CCR to start the pre arrival test and checks. We will leave Singapore in the afternoon.FSU Amity Star is not ready for us so the Pilot boarding time is changed for 22:00 tonight and that means arriving around 01:00 and we're looking at a full night again. We finished all the pre-cargo operation tests and I hope
I can get some sleep after dinner.Breakfast: Sleeping
Good morning gymnastics: Sleeping
Lunch: Curry and salad
Snacks: French bread in the afternoon
Dinner: Salad
Constitutional: No time
+++++++++++++++
Saturday 11 th
of March 2017
and we expect Pilot to board us at 02:30. I was lucky yesterday and I managed to fall asleep after dinner and I woke up at 11. So I had spent a few hours looking
at Seinfeld waiting for us to get the Pilot. The ship alongside Amity Star was obviously delayed for a few hours.I had expected us to get the pilot around 1 o'clock. But no one really had any information. 1 thirty, 2 o'clock and then nothing. But when I called the bridge 10 minutes before 2 it was finally decided that the Pilot would board us at 2 thirty. Anyway, I had expected to stay up all night, if I'm lucky I will be in bed at 7 o'clock in the morning. Pilot boarded us at 02:24
Busy in the funky corner
Busy in the funky corner
Study the discharge plan before we start discharging
It was almost 4 o'clock when we had all fast at Amity Star and we started to discharge at 6 thirty in the morning and I was in bed at 7. I was tired but I slept very badly. Tossin' and turnin'
and I went for a shower and a Seinfeld episode at 12 thirty.I went down in the CCR at one thirty as we expected to complete discharging around 2 o'clock. We completed discharging at 14:12 and now we had to start with the paper work. First of all we have to check the tanks so they are empty with the Surveyor.
They had booked the Pilot for 18:00 so we had enough time to finish our paper works. But will there be time to have dinner? Well, I even had time for a shower. We signed the last paper works 10 minutes before 5 and I was finished and back in my cabin quarter past 5.
Preparing dinner
Preparing dinner
Preparing dinner
We left Tanjung Pelepas around 6 thirty and they don't have any Pilot for us in Singapore until 22:00 so we will have to go very slowly as it is only 4 and a half miles to the pilot station. But I will spend the time in my cabin drinking soda water and sleeping until tomorrow.
And here we go again, more Saturday fun
Breakfast: Trying to sleepWell, I had a plate of bacon before going to bed
Good morning gymnastics: Trying to sleep
Lunch: Sleeping
Snacks: 2 slices of bread
Dinner: Saturday
Constitutional: No time
+++++++++++++++
Sunday 12 th
of March 2017
and we spent the whole day anchored in Singapore. Discharging sludge and we had divers here in the morning to check the painting on the hull, and to remove a mooring rope from the bow thruster.The boys left at 2 thirty going ashore for some shopping and I really hope
they bring back a few cans of Diet PepsiBreakfast: Tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Sunday
Lunch: Salad (+ some hidden potatoes)
Snacks: Nothing
Dinner: Salad and meat + 2 slices of bread with cheese
Constitutional: Sunday
+++++++++++++++
Monday 13 th
of March 2017
and we are still anchored when I come down to the CCR at 8 o'clock.
We have not have had time for any gymnastics for a long time so it was nice with the morning session.And as they are painting on deck it have not been possible to have my constitutional
for a long time. So as soon as we were ready in the CCR I sent the guy to paint on poop deck, so this willhopefully be ready tonight to night.
Painting my constitutional track
Painting my constitutional track
Painting my constitutional track
Mixing paint for my constitutional track
Mixing paint for my constitutional track
Painting my constitutional track
Mixing paint for my constitutional track
We had 2 on signers coming on board before lunch. They arrived just after to launch delivering our stores. The off signers will be picked up around 4 o'clock in the afternoon and we will leave for the Eastern OPL anchorage at 6 o'clock tonight.
We had much to do so time passed quickly and suddenly I had the off signers in the CCR. They fly back to Philippines just after midnight so they have plenty time to reach the airport. They left us just after 4 in the afternoon and I had time to test our IG pressure sensors before going to my room for a cup of Earl Grey tea.
Time to sign off
Waving good bye
Breakfast: Tea (Earl Grey) in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes, first session in a long time
Lunch: Cauliflower gratin
Snacks: Nothing
Dinner: Pork + 2 slices of bread with cheese
Constitutional:
Hopefully tomorrow as they paint the last paint today
+++++++++++++++
Tuesday th
of March 2017
and we are anchored at Eastern OPL anchorage when I come in to the CCR. We left Singapore anchorage yesterday evening and they dropped anchor here 1 o'clock in the morning. So now we just have to wait for the next cargo. The have made enquiries about FO from Singapore to Haldia in India. And this would be a perfect trip.
Freshly painted poop deck
Freshly painted poop deck
Freshly painted poop deck
The day passed along slowly, but they managed to finish the poop deck even though we had a
heavy shower passing us and we were drenched in rain.Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Chicken and salad
Snacks: A peice of bread
Dinner: Seriously, I don't remember. My belt went in to 2 peices when I sat down. First I thought it was the button in my trousers. But it was my belt.
Constitutional: Painting in my track, but tomorrow...
+++++++++++++++
Wednesday 15 th
of March 2017
and we are still anchored when I come in to the CCR. But we got a voyage yesterday, loading crude oil in Malaysia to Singapore. But no loading until 21st of March, so we still have some waiting to do.I finished my loading plans in time for lunch and 40 minutes later the voyage was cancelled, Romø Mærsk will take the voyage instead. She is coming back from Bangladesh/ India so she is on the right side of Singapore. And we're open for a new voyage again.
We kicked of the Safety Week ”The human element” after the lunch. All crew present and the spirit was high. It was like you could “almost” feel the enthusiasm in the air.
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Beef Stroganoff
Snacks: None
Dinner: Pork and salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: Typical, my track is ready and now I can't hardly walk due to pain in a toe
+++++++++++++++
Thursday 16 th
of March 2017
and we are still anchored when I'm coming in to the CCR just before 8 o'clock. I did a cargo calculation yesterday evening, Singapore to Sri Racha in Thailand. So we will see if we can get this voyage. Otherwise not much happening.Evening in my cabin and I booked my Leopard safari in Yala as per below:
14 May: Departure from Bangkok
15 May: Arrival to Colombo at Midnight. Checking in at Terrace Green Hotel - Pick up at the hotel at 9 o’clock for transport to hotel in Yala
16 May: Full day safari in Yala17 May: Morning safari in Lunugamwehera and afternoon safari in Yala
18 May: Full day safari in Yala
19 May: Full day safari in Yala
20 May: 1 full day safari in Udawalawe
21 May: 1 full day safari in Bundala
22 May: Full day safari in Yala
23 May: Full day safari in Yala - Go back to Colombo Airport in the evening. Flight to Bangkok departs at 01:20 on the 24th of May
And yet again, I fill find the use for my safari uniform
I made a mistake booking my flight and I will try to change it to 25th of May. Then I will have a morning safari in Yala before going back to Colombo
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Beef and salad
Snacks: None, at least almost none
Dinner: Schnitzel and salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: Yes, but no time for more than 30 minutes
+++++++++++++++
Friday 17 th
of March 2017
and we got started with the good morning gymnastics as soon as Captain came to the CCR. After the tool box meeting I sent most of the crew for painting. I had Pump Man to stay behind as we were going to work with our temperature sensors.The poop deck start to look good and there is only a very few yellow markings remaining to do. Most of the crew work under the cat walk chipping and painting.
Paint yellow markings on the freshly painted poop deck
Chipping under the cat walk
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Chicken and salad
Snacks: None, at least almost none
Dinner: Sausages + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: No
+++++++++++++++
Saturday 18 th
of March 2017
and we're still anchored. The crew spent the day washing the superstructure and painting on deck. The afternoon was spent with STS and pirate video in the crew's TV room. Nothing much exciting happening here on the anchorage. And here we go again, more Saturday fun
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Saturday
Snacks: None
Dinner: Saturday
Constitutional: No
+++++++++++++++
Sunday 19 th
of March 2017
and we are still anchored at Eastern OPL. I was surprised, Sunday and they had a cargo intake for me to check. Loading 6 parcels of crude oil on New Zealand for Singapore. That will take a month ++ so I will come home late for my snorkelling and bird watching adventure in Malaysia.The Leopard safari is booked for mid May so this should be no problem. So I really hope
we can leave the anchorage. Staying here don't generate much money.Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Sunday (Really no excuse)
Lunch: Pork chop and salad
Snacks: None
Dinner: Spaghetti sauce (without spaghetti + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: Sunday (Really no excuse)
+++++++++++++++
Monday 20 th
of March 2017
and yet another slow day on the Eastern OPL anchorage. Painting and chipping. Enclosed space entry and preparation for hot work tomorrow.Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Beef and salad
Snacks: 2 Apples
Dinner: Ribs + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: Only time for 30 minutes
+++++++++++++++
Tuesday 21 st
of March 2017
and we started with the good morning gymnastics. The crew went on deck for chipping and painting. Pump Man prepared for the welding on the deck crane. Cargo tanks measured for gas and we received the hot work permit just before 10 o'clock.We held a hot work meeting in the duty mess after the coffee break and the welding was completed just in time for lunch. Later afternoon and we received a few more inquiries about the ship for the New Zealand trip, so we might leave for New Zealand. About time to leave the anchorage, the boredom drives me up the walls.
You cannot make up sh*t like this!
False plates, on Interpol's wanted list for terrorism. No problem! The biggest problem in Sweden
is the people that thinks enough is enough. What an embarrassment this country have turned in to
And how did he become a Swedish citizen?
False plates, on Interpol's wanted list for terrorism. No problem! The biggest problem in Sweden
is the people that thinks enough is enough. What an embarrassment this country have turned in to
And how did he become a Swedish citizen?
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Pork and salad
Snacks: Nada
Dinner: Pork and salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese Our Cook's
freshly made bread, so the sandwiches was, well, I could not see the church tower through the slices
Constitutional: No time today
After dinner and the voyage to New Zealand was confirmed. Heaving up the anchor and we will go in to take provision and bunker in Singapore before taking off to New Zealand tomorrow. A long trip and we will be back in Singapore a wee bit later than my scheduled sign off. So I might have to push my snorkelling/ bird watching adventure in Malaysia for a few days.
+++++++++++++++
Wednesday 22 nd
of March 2017
and we were anchored i Singapore when I came down to the CCR. Waiting for the bunker barge and the provision boat. Then we will leave for New Zealand, and we're in a hurry to make it in time. Bunkering completed at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. By then we had received all our provision so just to wait for the pilot.We had the anchor up a few minutes after 5 o'clock in the afternoon and we were soon on our way towards New Plymouth on New Zealand, about 15 days to go.
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: No
Lunch: Meatballs
Snacks: Nada
Dinner: Meatballs and salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: No time today
+++++++++++++++
Thursday 23 th
of March 2017
and we are making almost full speed ahead to make it in time to New Plymouth when I come in to the CCR at 8 o'clock. All crew chipping and painting and our Pump Man and I do some work before he join our Fitter to prepare for hot work.Quite busy today and time was passing very quickly with a very short lunch break and skipped coffee breaks. Well, no need for any breaks when I enjoy my tea at the desk doing super important paper work. Ballast exchange plans and there is no end to it.
Read the article HERE
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: yes
Lunch: Meatballs Surprise® and salad
Snacks: Fruit
Dinner: Lamb and salad + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: 60 minutes + +
+++++++++++++++
Friday 24 th
of March 2017
and we're steaming towards SE and Torres Strait on an ocean looking like a mirror when I come to the CCR for the tool box meeting and good morning gymnastics.We expect to pass Torres Strait on the 30th of April so still a few days to go. And as we will exchange our ballast before we reach New Zealand I made a ballast exchange plan and I prepared the ballast reports.
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: yes
Lunch: Chicken schnitzel
Snacks: Almost nothing
Dinner: Chicken + 2 sandwiches with cheese
Constitutional: Around 60 minutes
+++++++++++++++
Saturday 25 th
of March 2017
and we're continuing towards Torres Strait. Good weather, but hot. I spent most of the day in my office filling up forms updating Risk Assessments. Of course, there was also time to read the latest news from Sweden. And it is no good news, but news we have been able to predict for several years now.Last 15 years they have spent looking at the fire in the waste bin while calling the people wanting to alarm the fire brigade for xenophobes. Amazing!
This open border thing they have going is really the best thing ever!
The country open to the whole world to enter without anyone checking them
The country open to the whole world to enter without anyone checking them
We finished the day with a video about hot work, of course, here on aladdin.st we have the Saturday fun video to watch. The only thing we're looking forward to.
And here we go again, more Saturday fun
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Saturday
Snacks: None
Dinner: Saturday
Constitutional: No time
+++++++++++++++
Sunday 26 the
of March 2017
and we had rain in the afternoon so the crew had to pack up the paint and equipment. Well, they had washed the superstructure so it was very welcome with a fresh water rinse. Washing the superstructure, our new Sunday routines.Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Sunday
Lunch: Pork
Snacks: Bananas
Dinner: Ribs and red cabbage + of course 2 cheese sandwiches
Constitutional: Sunday
+++++++++++++++
Monday 27 th
of March 2017
and we started the day with tool box meeting and the good morning gymnastics. Today I had all crew on the chipping and painting detail. Pump Man was working with the steam pipe on 3 Stb. When we were ready with the morning meeting I had made a couple of work permits and I had held 3 Tool box meetings.
They just don't get it! Well, the biggest problem in Sweden are that the Swedes are racists. Not the burning cars and houses we read about every day. Not the shootings almost every day. Not the
rapes, married men with child wives coming to Sweden or that a big part don't know how to read
and write, THEIR OWN LANGUAGE!! No, the only problem is that the Swedes are racists!!!
And as we can read above they have found a weapon to fight the problem. JEEZ! They have
destroyed our country, once Sweden was the most accommodating and welcoming country in
the world. But now the Swedes have had enough. Shooting, burning cars and rape every day.
Get them out of the country! Never heard before in Sweden.
Yeah, we have had Nazis in Sweden, (among them the founder of IKEA, but he is of course treated like a national hero) but not even enough to fill up a bus. So instead of working with the people coming here destroying the country they blame it on the Swedes. It will continue to grow worse and Sweden will never recover from this.
And the immigrants coming here seeking refuge, working and contributing, they are of course also suffering. Now it is all of them out. The government should have applied a ONE STRIKE AND OUT OF THE COUNTRY rule years ago. Out will all the bad apples so the remaining can live a good life. Now it is too late and they have ducked up the whole country.
And as you can guess, anyone pointing out the problem is just dismissed as a racist! And the state media is brain washing us bombarding us with “Sweden is doing great” A bright future, for sure!
rapes, married men with child wives coming to Sweden or that a big part don't know how to read
and write, THEIR OWN LANGUAGE!! No, the only problem is that the Swedes are racists!!!
And as we can read above they have found a weapon to fight the problem. JEEZ! They have
destroyed our country, once Sweden was the most accommodating and welcoming country in
the world. But now the Swedes have had enough. Shooting, burning cars and rape every day.
Get them out of the country! Never heard before in Sweden.
Yeah, we have had Nazis in Sweden, (among them the founder of IKEA, but he is of course treated like a national hero) but not even enough to fill up a bus. So instead of working with the people coming here destroying the country they blame it on the Swedes. It will continue to grow worse and Sweden will never recover from this.
And the immigrants coming here seeking refuge, working and contributing, they are of course also suffering. Now it is all of them out. The government should have applied a ONE STRIKE AND OUT OF THE COUNTRY rule years ago. Out will all the bad apples so the remaining can live a good life. Now it is too late and they have ducked up the whole country.
And as you can guess, anyone pointing out the problem is just dismissed as a racist! And the state media is brain washing us bombarding us with “Sweden is doing great” A bright future, for sure!
Chipping and painting on deck
Chipping and painting on deck
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin + a banana in the CCR
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Beef and salad
Snacks: Nothing
Dinner: Turkey and papaya for dessert + of course 1 (ONE) cheese sandwiches
Constitutional: 15 minutes, it was 3 o'clock in the afternoon before i got any time and by then it was very hot
+++++++++++++++
Tuesday 28 th
of March 2017
and we had advanced ship's time by an hour during the night so it was like getting out of bed an hour earlier when my alarm went off at 7 o'clock. I enjoyed an
episode of Seinfeld with a mug of Earl Grey tea before going down to see the boys in the CCR at 8 o'clock.Tool box meeting and good morning gymnastics and the guys were off to start the chipping and painting on deck. Pump Man continued with the steam valves on deck. The Engineers will go down in the Pump room to have a look at the CO2 nozzles. We will of course take this opportunity to test the gas detectors down there at the same time.
Good morning gymnastics
Coffee break and I calibrated the gas detectors to be used when we enter the pump room and I was ready just a few minutes before the guys finished their coffee break so I had time to read the news from yesterday. I would lie if I say that I'm still surprising reading the news about Sweden. But it seems like it is not much good news from
Sweden any more. Of course, except when the Swedish government are filling us with BS via the state media.
Well, the Government have more tricks up their sleeves trying to curb the crime wave hitting Sweden. But this one they have tried before. A scheme/ plan called, are you sitting down? It was called the “Peacefull Street”
This scheme aimed to get criminals to stop with, well, criminal activities. So they were hired to patrol the streets on the suburbs. Scaring and beating up children. And if you were unemployed but otherwise living a normal life you had to live on benefits. But the “Peacefull Street” members was paid handsomely. Yeah, you understand what the Swedish Government didn't understand.
Burn a car and you were suddenly a paid member of the “Peacefull Street” TEAM. They gave up the idea when there was to many complains and the “Peacefull Street” TEAM members ended up in prison. YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE UP SH*T LIKE THIS.
Would have been more effective to have thrown them out of the country. And of course, it would have been cheaper and it would have saved them self from making total tits out of them self’s.
This scheme aimed to get criminals to stop with, well, criminal activities. So they were hired to patrol the streets on the suburbs. Scaring and beating up children. And if you were unemployed but otherwise living a normal life you had to live on benefits. But the “Peacefull Street” members was paid handsomely. Yeah, you understand what the Swedish Government didn't understand.
Burn a car and you were suddenly a paid member of the “Peacefull Street” TEAM. They gave up the idea when there was to many complains and the “Peacefull Street” TEAM members ended up in prison. YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE UP SH*T LIKE THIS.
Would have been more effective to have thrown them out of the country. And of course, it would have been cheaper and it would have saved them self from making total tits out of them self’s.
And as no surprise...
We went down to the pump room after the coffee break and we were ready just in time for lunch. Next excitement to go down is the Emergency Steering Drill in the afternoon. Before arrival to Torres Strait we need to do this test and drill.
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Beef and salad
Snacks: Nothing
Dinner: Chicken and cauliflower + 1 cheese sandwich
Constitutional: About 30 minutes
+++++++++++++++
Wednesday 29 th
of March 2017
and last day before we arrive to Torres Strait. Arriving around lunch time tomorrow morning and the passage will take 10 to 12 hours or so. We also got the cargo
information and I got started with the cargo plans and calculation.And on top of all this, Wednesday 29th of March in the year of our Lord 2017 will go down the history books as the first time I have read anything about the problems EU is facing due to the Brexit.
The Government and the state controlled media (Independent according to them self
) there will be nothing but hardships for UK. Most of us, well, many anyway have understand that it will be a hard time for EU. And doing business with EU, I'm pretty sure EU won't turn down the 5 or 7th biggest economy in the world. I told our British 2nd Engineer that it was the first time I ever read about the effects on EU when one of the biggest contributor leaves.- Yeah, they have not given us anything but the hard time to come when we're leaving!
Ben Garrison's excellent ABANDON SHIP poster, just click HERE
Who would know?
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Sausages and melon
Snacks: A wee bit...
Dinner: Chicken something (The best chicken I can ever remember that I have eaten) and melon (Do they call it Cantaloupe?) + 2 cheese sandwich
Constitutional: About 30 minutes and it started to rain
+++++++++++++++
Thursday 30 th
of March 2017
and we were approaching Torres Strait Pilot station when I came in to the CCR at 8 o'clock in the morning
and we expect to be there around 12 thirty. So I had me boys to paint and cup brush on deck as we will stop the chipping and cup brushing when the Pilot boards. So the trick is to have as much ready so they can paint in the afternoon.Of course, it was soon starting to rain, but it didn't last very long. And as soon as the sun broke through the clouds the deck dried up real quick.
Pilot was on board at 11 o'clock as he wanted to board at the first pilot station and not at the second pilot station at Thursday Island. It was a beautiful but hot day. I was put as a lookout for shark and other excitements. They had spotted some crocodiles but I missed them as I was busy in the CCR. Surrounded by excitements, but work comes first.
The Torres Strait
/ˈtɔːrᵻs/ is a strait which lies between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. It is approximately 150 km (93 mi) wide at its narrowest extent. To the south is Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost continental extremity of the Australian state of Queensland. To the north is the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. It is named after navigator Luís Vaz de Torres, who passed through the Strait in 1606.
Full size map, click HERE
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We're passing close to Australia
We're passing close to Australia
We're passing close to Australia
We're passing close to Australia
Navig8 Victoria West bound in Torres Strait
Navig8 Victoria West bound in Torres Strait
OK, seriously, it is not as exciting a sit sounds. I was looking for sharks for about, well,hmm, 5 minutes and I gave up. I was soon back in the CCR. But the time passed quite quickly and it was soon time to go for a cup of tea and a shower. And my last Seinfeld episode.
9 Seasons and it is a classic, maybe the best TV series ever. But before I watched the episode I booked and paid for my 8 and a half day of leopard safari in Yala National Park. Leaving Bangkok on the 14th of May, a little something to look forward to.
I have postponed my snorkelling and bird watching adventure in Malaysia as I will be home 2 weeks late from here. But I will see if I can book the trip in June instead for April.
Giving pointers to the guys on deck
Giving pointers to the guys on deck
You talking to me?
Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Casserole + 2 sandwiches I sneaked down when I was alone in the mess room The casserole was so good I asked our Cook to leave the left overs for my dinner
Snacks: Nothing
Dinner: Casserole + 1 Cheese sandwich
Constitutional: About 60 minutes
+++++++++++++++
Friday 31 st
of March 2017
and we're steaming towards SE and New Plymouth on New Zealand. Gloom and grey for as long as we can see. Looks to be rain any time so as soon as we were ready with the tool box meeting they boys went on deck for painting.Breakfast: Earl Grey tea in my cabin
Good morning gymnastics: Yes
Lunch: Lamb chops
Snacks: Nothing
Dinner: Sausages + 2 cheese sandwiches
Constitutional: Rain
Let's finish the month of March with a picture from when we passed through Torres Strait
Yes, this month passed by quite quickly. I Hope
the month of April pass by as quickly and I will sign off when we come back to Singapore in the beginning of May. And then I will be off for a safari in Yala National Park. Click HERE
to find yourself in the month of April. OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it 
be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.
So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!
Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas
Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!
Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!
Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra
Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!
คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next”
ข้างบนนี้
Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!
E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.
Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.
be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page. Jiffy (also jiff)
noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.
So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaasFaites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopraSprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben! คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next”
ข้างบนนี้
Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!
E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.
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