06/030 - Bulk Ops in North Sea

Vessel called at [North Sea port] after 50 days of sailing from Australia. The last two days were extremely tiring for the master after prolonged bridge watch during vessels transit through the English channel and bad weather in the north sea, navigating in close proximity of navigational hazards and heavy traffic, vessel transited river pilotage about 8 hours to arrive in the evening at port where immediately he received the agents, customs, immigration and above all crew change details being sent at last minute, 70k t of cargo was discharged in 36 hours and vessel was to sail to Baltic sea through Kiel canal.

Tight vessel schedule, last minute instructions from shore office, lack of information from agents, stevedores during weekends, inexperienced junior officers all add to master’s woes.

Some consideration from authorities as to vessel’s previous voyage, the crew's need to r&r and contact their family must be given.