MNTB - Careers At Sea

Date: September 2005
Location: Bay of Biscay

Heavy weather in the Bay of Biscay
We were returning to Rotterdam from the Persian Gulf with a full cargo. Rotterdam is a major port for us and an extremely busy one too, so being well prepared before arrival is essential to a successful stay.

On this particular day I was working 8 to 5 as a day man. As the weather being particularly rough, most of the crew were working indoors. However, as we were only a few days from Rotterdam some jobs on deck had to be done, in particular the vapour connections that allow dangerous gases and vapours from cargoes to be sent back to the shore terminals where they can be burned off safely.

With the sea head-on huge amounts of spray are sent up and over the bow, and unfortunately the spray regularly comes down on us. It's a bit like being caught in torrential rain, only much colder due to the wind. Despite the conditions AB Edwin Alido and myself managed to complete several vapour connections. The salt really stings your face - but it beats being stuck in an office and, as they say, variety is the spice of life.

Date: June 2006
Location: South Africa

A successful day's fishing
On board the NCC Jubail, a chemical tanker, we were anchored off the coast of South Africa. Due to environmental restrictions we were limited in the work we could do, which is often the way in coastal waters and within port limits.

Limitations in the work did not however include fishing, and so during our breaks we would set our lines and then check them at intervals to see if we could catch a bite. Fishing is a big pastime for all of the Filipino crew. When you consider that their country is made up of hundreds of islands, you can easily believe them when they say they are expert fishermen.

Just how expert is quite astonishing. Pumpman Aspilaga showed his expertise by catching a large fish using his 'basket' net, hoisting it home after a patient but rewarding wait. AB James achieved an equally good catch using a more direct approach with his trident-like spear, expertly constructed from a mop pole, some six inch nails, fishing line and electrical tape.

Date: October 2007
Location: China

Stretching the legs - ashore in China
Once again on the NCC Jubail, our trip this time took in Indonesia, Singapore, China, South Korea and USA via Panama. Right now we were in port in China.

When in port, once you've finished your watch and there's no further work to be done, you can often go ashore. Since starting my cadetship I've visited many countries, but I never tire of going ashore to see how other people live. I find it fascinating how in different countries things can look and feel so different, yet essentially the people are going around doing the same things as we do in the UK, working, shopping, socialising and so on.

Having been on the 8 to 12 cargo watch and with no further jobs for the day, I asked the Captain if I could go ashore. As is usually the case he said no problem, provided I was back in time for my evening watch. So off I went to get a feel for the place.

Kicking back in a small open air restaurant enjoying some chow mein, I wondered what everyone at home would be doing compared to what I was doing. On my way back to the ship and wandering through a small park I thought about how being in the Merchant Navy allows you to experience for yourself what is going on around the world, not just relying on the newspapers and television as most people do.

They say globalisation is making the world a smaller place and I am certain it is true, but one thing for sure is that joining the Merchant Navy has made the world more accessible for me. And after my first four trips I feel there is a huge world out there and I'm going to make the absolute most of exploring it.