June 2014
Our next port of discharge were in Egypt, Lebanon, Italy and Turkey.
We left and again took bunkers and provisions from Singapore. From Galle, Sri Lanka we took 3 arm gaurds since we have to transit through High Risk Area. It was mid of June and the time of monsoon in Indian ocean. I knew it would be a rough passage.
After crossing Sri Lanka the sea was getting rough gradually. As a
precaution all the lashings were checked and tightened. All the
equipments including the chairs, television set were also lashed. Apart
from what was inside the cargo hold there were pressure vessels,
automobiles on the hatch cover also. It all began as some high winds and
smattering of rain. The ship started to roll. Sea swell rose increasing
the rolling and pitching. The forecastle rose with each swell and then smashed into the sea.
I was the only one suffering from motion sickness. Others were used to it and they didnt show any signs of discomfort. They were least affected whereas I was feeling horrible. This went on for a week till we crossed Gulf of Aden.
With the weather condition getting worse, we decided to halt for a day. While inspecting the cargo on deck, the crew found the lashing of thick steel plates broken. Meanwhile one ballast water tank level also increased.
The plate on top slid after the lashing broke and punctured a hole on the starboard side before sinking in the sea. There was no chances of any repairs since the hole was below the waterline level and we were in the mid of the ocean. We continued our sailing to Alexandria with the hole on our ship side for repair and discharging.
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| Water coming on deck |
We left and again took bunkers and provisions from Singapore. From Galle, Sri Lanka we took 3 arm gaurds since we have to transit through High Risk Area. It was mid of June and the time of monsoon in Indian ocean. I knew it would be a rough passage.
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| Shifted plates |
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| Hole on the starboard side |
I was the only one suffering from motion sickness. Others were used to it and they didnt show any signs of discomfort. They were least affected whereas I was feeling horrible. This went on for a week till we crossed Gulf of Aden.
With the weather condition getting worse, we decided to halt for a day. While inspecting the cargo on deck, the crew found the lashing of thick steel plates broken. Meanwhile one ballast water tank level also increased.
The plate on top slid after the lashing broke and punctured a hole on the starboard side before sinking in the sea. There was no chances of any repairs since the hole was below the waterline level and we were in the mid of the ocean. We continued our sailing to Alexandria with the hole on our ship side for repair and discharging.
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| Transiting through Suez Canal |