Arrives at 1900 hrs and anchors vessel is boarded by the the Agents for inward clearance, wants to collect passports for the off signers, delivers cash to the Master & gives a list of technicians who shall be boarding the vessel for Radar and IG plant.
Technical Superintendent boards the vessel and informs the Master that he is going to carry out a Technical Inspection ,although a good technical inspection requires 3-4 days but this super man can complete the job in about 7-8 hours , by clicking a few pictures ,walking around on Deck and Engine room and in the end preparing a defect list and saying good bye.
The Marine Safety Superintendent decides to carry out ISM and ISPS Internal Audit where the actual port stay is only 6-7 hours .A proper audit takes about 12-14 hours whereas the Super –superintendent plans to do the same in about 5-6 hours .So he sits in the Master’s cabin waiting like a hawk for a moment so that he can pounce on the master with the long claws of questions .He manages to get Master’s attention-because he is the Boss.
Manages to complete the audit just before the pilot boards the vessel leaving Master tired and fatigued without any consideration that the Old man has to negotiate his way out busy waterway dealing with pirates and navigational hazards.
So far none of them even considered that Master and his crew needs that half an hour to regain their breath and have a quick bit to replenish the stock of depleting energy levels.
Meanwhile arrives ship supplier with provision and six monthly stores which are long over due..
The slop barge man also needs attention.
The new crew arrives and handing over taking over is going on-joining 3rd Officer is first time joining after passing his class III exams.
Master needs to pay off the crew and complete all documentation for the off-signers.
Meanwhile the phone rings and it’s the commercial manager on the line and wants changes in the cargo plan. Meanwhile the bunker barge and lubricating oil has arrived and secured along side, crew is preparing to receive bunkers ,completing all check lists.
Also the slops are being discharged.
Do not forget all the said activities involve a dozen of checks lists and forms to be filled up. Everybody who comes on board is an important person and requires attention.
The work continues and bunkering gets over by 0130 hrs and vessel’s pilot is booked for 0300 hrs. Finally time to say good-bye to all and prepare for sailing.
My concern is that is the Master and Crew well rested to cope up with the very high demanding navigational activity. Are we waiting for some disaster and then load the mariner with any drown the mariner with another set of regulations?
Are we adhering to rest hours as per STCW or it has become another paper filing exercise. Remember that all those people visiting the ship would go back and cosily lay in their bed in about one hour’s time and most probably will be arriving office late the next day. My question is can the Master & his crew afford to take liberty? |
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