Pirates Watch in the High Seas

Getting into the hands of pirates is really unthinkable especially when the kinds of people are like those Somalis who are known for their notorious activities in the Gulf of Aden and beyond. Shipping activities had been hard hit in that part of the globe and so with seafarers who risk lives and limbs every time their vessels comes under attack by the lawless elements from Somalia.
Different counter measures were implemented by the shipping industries and concerned authorities from around the world but nothing come close to really of stopping the problem of piracy. Instead, the well armed and well financed Somali pirates is getting bolder and sophisticated in their daily routine of attacking vessels that bring international trades to and from their port of destination.
Nonetheless, crew of various vessels, armed with MARSEC or Maritime Security Awareness and relevant trainings are doing their best in providing security to their vessels although limited and can’t prevent extremely dangerous buccaneers ready to inflict harm. One of the basic preventive measures being carried out in pirates watch keeping is by rigging fire hose at the poop deck area, both port and starboard side. Pirates watch keeping is tough and one must be attentive especially when the vessel is passing pirate infested areas like the Malacca strait, the one time most dangerous shipping lane in the world.
Malacca strait straddles in the territorial waters of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and once a heaven for Indonesian pirates who operates with impunity. Usually the pirates used dinghy or small craft and others used fishing boats to camouflage their true identity. Before, they attacked in broad daylight in frequency and precision. But after quite sometime, piracy in the area subsided because other nations like Japan funded an international anti-piracy gathering years ago which was held in Malaysia.
At present, Singapore strictly patrols on their side of the border showing their firepower. Their F-16 Jets, Cobra Attack helicopters and other advanced planes hover above the sky in regular fashion. Frigates, cutters and high-tech patrol crafts menacingly patrol the waters always ready to pounce on suspected pirates and terrorists.
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DECK MACHINERY MAINTENANCE PART OF SHIP’S SAFE OPERATION

The safe operation of ship of any type is not only about the competence and skills of officers and crew that operates it. The safety of the ship also relies on how all its machinery is being maintained. All machinery from engine to deck undergoes inspections in appropriate intervals. The conduct of inspection is to assure all machinery are properly maintained and recorded in compliance to the company policy as provided for by the International Safety Management Code of the International Maritime Organization rules and regulations.

Part of the deck machinery that undergoes mandatory inspection and maintenance is the mooring winch. Mooring winch machinery is where mooring lines or ropes of a ship is being stored or secured. Regular marine vessel usually have mooring winch in both forward and aft but others have extra winch amidships or in the middle and uses chains in some particularly cases.

The maintenance of mooring winch comes up with a portable device powerful enough to test the winch’s strength and toughness. Mooring winches are tested in a regular basis for safety purposes because deck machineries are prone to the elements which cause eventual damage to parts or components. Not to mention the wear and tear due to regular use of the said machinery.

Mooring winch maintenance is not a one man show; officers and crew work together as a team as shown in the photos. An Engine and Deck officer leads the crew in performing the regular and mandatory testing of mooring winch during a lull in sea voyage.

THE DANGER OF BERTHING OPERATION: A MASTER’S CONCERN

The danger of berthing or docking operation is always a Master’s concern especially so when the jetty or port is not properly equipped with devices like fixed fenders and manpower or mooring men whose job is to assist a ship maneuvering its way to berth. Aside from this when the jetty or port is awkwardly located in an area where the depth of water is too shallow that there’s no room for ships to maneuver which was the case in Can Tho, Vietnam.

Another concern is that when the Pilot lacks the ability or competence in doing what is appropriate during berthing or docking operation. Sometimes miscommunication between the Pilot and tugboats contribute danger during berthing. This incident actually happened last June 29, 2009 in the early morning of Monday in Can Tho, Vietnam.

Marine Tanker Minorca was there to unload LPG cargo and unfortunately things gone wrong during the ship’s maneuvering. The ship’s portside bow accidentally rammed the jetty’s other side which have no fender attached to it, causing dent to the vessel’s structure and inadvertently moved the jetty’s original position as alleged by the port officials of Vietnam.

The Master blamed the Pilot for his incompetence but the port personnel said otherwise. They asked for payment for the damaged done to their jetty. It was a compromising situation but then it was business as usual and the ship’s cargo was unloaded to the jetty’s depot. Because it was the Master’s concern, he took the incident as a lesson learned.

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THE NEW BEGINNING

A month after the first automated general elections was held, apparently the Filipino nation is rejoicing because this coming June 30, 2010 would be the dawn of a new day for the Philippines which had been at the mercy of its crook politicians longer than the poor people could remember.
The inauguration of the incoming president and vice president will commence right in front of invited world leaders, guests and local and international media. Seemingly, everyone is eager to witness the turn-over of power from one dirty hand to another.
As expected the incoming President Noynoy Aquino will recite his promised campaign speeches that he will fight and stop corruption and do away with transactional politics which was part of the legacy of the outgoing president. Some quarters say that a new beginning will unfold and bring drastic change in the government after nine years of impunity and evil.
But based on the system of things prevailing in this God forsaken country, the Philippines could not match or compete against its Asian neighbors simply because political dynasties, showbiz personalities cum politicos and the elite class rules the country with regularity. These elite members of society do not want the country to achieve progress and development because they are afraid of losing their power, clout, influence and evil intentions.
They deliberately stall or impede the peoples’ will to survive and gain high standard of living by not equally distributing the country’s wealth. Instead, the political elite and their subalterns continuously bleed the country of its wealth by holding onto power in their lifetime.
And because most of the people are poor, illiterate, homeless, landless and powerless, the political elite, showbiz personalities cum politicos created them to become idolaters. The gullible idolaters often vote into office the political elite and showbiz people cum politicos with shameful regularity. This political circus has completely stalled the Philippines resolve to have social, economic and political maturity. May God help the Philippines in this new beginning?

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ANCHORS AWEIGH!!!

Anchors aweigh! This is what usually heard during anchor operation when the ship’s anchor had already cleared the seabed and after which the vessel start to move away after staying for a certain period of time in a place where it was safely anchored. Normally, anchor operation is a task initiated by a deck officer assisted by ratings on duty with proper coordination in the bridge headed by the Captain.
As the word implies “Anchors Aweigh” means not only about to sail away but it connotes different meanings or understanding. Bad and good impressions go with the word. First, precedence of good impression is when the Captain himself is true to himself and broadminded. He takes full control of himself and his subordinates with kindness and respect.
And that’s what Captain Jessie Juanico did during the time when I was one of his ratings who witnessed and approved his leadership aboard LPG Tanker Minorca. He put in high regard the interests of his men and the ship itself. Thus the men anchored their trust and confidence to Captain Juanico and together they hollered “Anchors Aweigh” and sailed in unison.
Like in any other story, good times come and go, and so with seafaring. The Captain signed-off after his contract ended. Showing the quality of an officer and a gentleman, Captain Jessie Juanico turned-over his command to the incoming Captain, also from the Philippines.
At first the situation remained normal until suddenly, at the snap of a finger the ship’s aura turned dark. The precedence of bad impression ultimately filled the ship’s atmosphere. The new Captain intentionally has shown his arrogance and egotistic behavior of exaggerated sense of importance and superiority to all his subordinates. Worse, he made it hard for all crews to suffer without fresh water and letting them to use yellowish/rusty water for their daily needs. And shore leave was rare, prompting subordinates to express disapproval.
The Captain’s brand of leadership and doctrine lacks propriety but then seafaring is like any other military establishment where the chain of command always being followed, even if wrongs are part of it. And when everybody hears “Anchors Aweigh” all are up and about to sail with the Master and no questions ask.
The photo shows Captain Jessie Juanico supervises fire drill at the poop deck.

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