WW AT SEA
«i discovered that the saying “WW, black and blue, nothing to eat and plenty to do” now could be changed to “WW, black and blue, plenty to eat and plenty to do”!»
As the vessel was getting ready to depart I moved up the bridge to observe how the pilot communicated with the captain to steer the ship safely out of Barcelona’s narrow port. My first observation was the peace and quiet on the bridge. Orders were short and precise and I could enjoy the 360 degrees view from 40 meters above sea level. It was easy to understand how somebody can spend day in and day out up on the bridge and it didn’t take long until I understood that this was something I would like, too. Life onboard. The crew consisted of about
25 people and even though they have their individual routines and duties, this is a schedule that I quickly adapted to: 0730: Breakfast 1000: Coffee break 1230: Lunch 1500: Coffee break 1730 : Dinner
When at sea this schedule was standard, but during days with port calls some of these times changed. My routines varied and depended on the vessel’s schedule as well as the daily routines of others onboard. I was up and ready to involve myself from 0800 every morning and normally ended my working day by watching the sunset from the bridge. I could go on forever in detail about how my days onboard were, but then I would have to write a small book. Instead I would like to point out some of my observations and what I learned. Bridge and engine room. From the bridge
I could observe watch routines, navigation (steering and planning), radio communication routines and equipment, communication with port authorities, vessel handling in locks, cooperation with pilots, ballast water routines and planning. My training lesson also took me to the engine room, where I learnt to recognize all machinery and its purpose, following reporting routines, special operations (removing the generator for the auxiliary engine), maintenance (the best part was examining the scavenge air receiver getting my hands/ body dirty), and bunkering routines.
Rookie sailor: Jon Halvard B Olsen (to the left) giving the crew a hand carrying mats in port.
Deck and cargo.
In port: MV Tijuca in Bremerhaven, Germany. 44 WWWORLD 1 2013
tion. And while in ports I got an insight into loading and unloading operations, including lashing of cargo, stowage planning, safety procedures, ventilation routines, driving the ramp, lifting and lowering of decks, and activity on mooring stations. Not all work. But life on board also has its
more relaxed moments, some of which I will remember for a long time. Singing karaoke with the Filipino crew represents one such moment, as does eating the Norwegian specialty “pinnekjøtt” (dried, smoked and salted sheep’s ribs) to celebrate the chief engineer’s birthday. Another highlight was watching the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony with my shipmate Sparky and the captain late at night. Going for a swim in the pool as we sailed along the Spanish coast represented another highlight, as did observing well oiled Germans and wooden sailboats during “Bremerhaven Festwoche”. Other lessons learned. Perhaps some
of the most useful learning I received on board was not directly related to my work assignments. You have plenty of time also for observations and discussions, such as: ➜➜Discussing vessel designs and technical development of the WW fleet. ➜➜Observing the change of officers (and learn how two different management policies both work in practice). ➜➜Talking to the crew about their experience with WW. ➜➜Discovering that the saying “WW, black and blue, nothing to eat and plenty to do” now could be changed to “WW, black and blue, plenty to eat and plenty to do”! ➜➜Sailing through the Gibraltar strait at night avoiding crashing into small fishing vessel. Thank you! After ten days we arrived in
Zeebrugge where the time had come for my discharge. Now back at the WW head office I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone onboard MV Tijuca for their hospitality and willingness to teach me. I would also like to thank, WSM, WWL, WWH and WW ASA for their contribution. A special thank you goes to vice president technical and vice president marine operations in WW ASA, Per Brinchmann and captain Filip Svensson for opening doors and giving me a memorable experience.
«It was easy to understand how somebody can spend day in and day out up on the bridge.»
On deck I learnt about maintenance routines (painting, greasing equipment, cleaning, overhauling and welding), safety and emergency routines and equipment, piracy routines and prepara-
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