Twenty Years Before the Antenna Mast

Trip: Thirty Three

Call Sign:

Company: CP

Specs: 18743 GRT 12200HP

Rank: R/E/O

Joined: Guayanilla Puerto Rico6/11/80

Departed: Tampa Florida 6/2/81

Another visit to Puerto Rico! I quite liked the place. Was staying in Ponce again in the same Hotel close to the town-square. A lot of people used to promenade around the square. The local fire brigade (called Bombas) was most impressive, with their shiny red engines open on display.

Waiting at anchor is quite a common occurrence on ships. The berth could be occupied or the cargo not yet available: all leading to delays. If the weather was good we sometimes tested the lifeboats during these periods. It is always good to know that they work and the engine starts easily. Some things however bring home how carefully attention to detail must be done. On this occasion the boats had been cleaned and washed down. The bilge plug had been removed to ensure all the water ran out. We then had some heavy rain and so the plug was left out to drain the rainwater. A few days later we had a lifeboat drill. The boat was lowered and it was decided to take a trip around the ship. All went well, the engine started and off we went in fine style. After a while, it was noted that an abnormal amount of water was swilling about inside the boat and rapidly increasing. Thoughts went immediately to the bilge plug. A fumble in the water confirmed it was not in place and could not be found. We turned back to the ship, but by this time the water had reached the engine flywheel and was spraying up over everyone.

Luckily, lifeboat engines are diesel, and completely sealed. The air intakes are above the engine and theoretically they could run completely submerged, having been designed for use in half sunken boats. It was just as well. We all had life jackets, and lifeboats are supposed to be unsinkable, having floatation chambers, but we began to feel distinctly unhappy! By the time we got back to the ship the water was half way up the engine casing and we were all soaking wet. The boat was hooked to the falls, and very slowly lifted, letting the water drain out before it was lifted out of the water. The plug was found. It had been pushed under the engine by the influx of water. The 3rd Officer who is in charge of the lifeboat maintenance never made that mistake again!

We sometimes loaded cargo from the Shell refinery at Curacao, a rather pleasant loading port where it is relatively easy to get into the main town of Willemstadt from the port area.