There is a special kind of sheer taking place when a ship is nearing an extremely shallow depth of water such as a shoal. She is likely to take a sudden sheer, first towards it and then violently away. This is called “smelling the ground”, and the movements of a sluggish ship may suddenly become astonishingly lively. Before this happens there are already signs of trouble such sluggish response to the wheel and engine and possible vibrations.
Some more information about the shallow water effect can be found here.
The pilot complained about the fact the he was escorted from the pilot ladder to the bridge by a cadet. The report isn’t clear as to whether or not an officer attended when the pilot boarded from the pilot boat.
That’s just a regurgitation of SOLAS. One could argue that as soon as the pilot steps foot on the deck, he has embarked, and therefore the responsible officers job is over with.
SCA does not give a crap about SOLAS. So sick the pilot was “Disrespected” by a cadet giving him a hand… The officers have more shit to do running the vessel than kiss this guys ass. What difference does it make who greeted and helped him aboard? Send the cook next time with his chefs hat, more valuable than that asshole.He in his self appointed “Greatness” only further explains my disdain how SCA operates with impunity.
When I board I expect an officer at the ladder and not a cadet. Not only is it a basic courtesy, but I want a trained and responsible Individual there in case things don’t go as planned.
On my ships, when people board via the pilot ladder at sea, my ship has stopped. The visitor is greeted by a senior crew member and given a hard hat and accompanied to the bridge. We don"t want the visitor to get hurt aboard.
A trained and responsible person to hold your hand while insuring your safety while getting aboard has to be an officer? Be glad a hand is offered at all with your attitude. Have you considered joining SCA? Or is your application pending or denied. Sorry sir, you have entered into prick category. You said a while back your job was/is tough and I believe you. You said walk in my shoes and “Get back to you”. You never walked a mile in my shoes,nor would want to. Probably would have had difficulty as well. I do agree that these vessels on order are HUGE. The channels are being deepened and large cranes being brought in. If you aren’t comfortable moving up to the larger units, don’t. Mother nature has no preferences. Regardless of how big or important you seem or imagine to be. We all have had our hands full navigating in unfavorable conditions, no matter what vessels we handle. You aren’t any different or special in any way.
Sorry SeaEagle but I agree with lm1883 on this one. Not only is it a clear regulation under SOLAS but also the professional thing to do. It has nothing to do with kissing the pilot’s ass.
I always had a mate at the rail to greet (and disembark) a pilot because it’s the right thing to do - and this is on an ATB with limited manning. I know and trust that my ABs rig the ladder properly and are probably responsible enough to supervise a transfer but you have to look at it from the pilot’s perspective - he doesn’t know what I know.
I’ve also seen and heard about enough ladder stories to know that lots of poorly run ships/operators put little thought and money into their setups. As a pilot, you really don’t know what you’re working with especially when boarding since there’s no way to see ahead of time what the arrangement is like. Presumably, a licensed officer is better versed in this than an AB and can catch errors or poor rigging.
To me, it’s no different than the requirement for a licensed officer to be on watch in the wheelhouse. My ABs could probably handle 99% of a watch at sea with no traffic. Legalities aside, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea or the prudent thing to do.
Absolutely not. The menu was a shocker. Bank Line were not renowned for their culinary flair.
But…….I learnt a lot as a young third mate. It was an incredible experience. We nearly lost her in the big storm of January 1978 transiting the English Channel. That is a night which I will never forget.
I never mistreated a pilot boarding, never lost one over the side. I guess some felt bettter if someone in capulets/epulets met them on the gangway. I can dress my guys up to accomodate that. Can probably dig up a scrambled egg hat. Still a helping hand. But does that inappropriate greeting result in rotten pilot service? The subject was bickering pilots on the bridge of a quite large vessel. Who gives a shit “How they were disrespected” upon boarding. They had a job to do, and did not do it well.
My initial point was that in the report it was referred to as a SCA RON yet the SCA are very lax in enforcing other dictates within this document.
The other response that I will make to you is this…….as a trainee Pilot, I well remember my Mentor saying the following.
“ In your time here you are going to come across many ladders which may be non compliant in their rigging and/or condition. By all means, challenge the Master and if you deem it necessary report it to AMSA but……DO IT AT THE END OF THE JOB! Why destroy any semblance of a bridge team you may have by raising this as soon as you reach the bridge?”
That piece of advice held me in good stead over 5000+ Pilotages and during that time I came across some shocking ladders.
The current thinking on shitty ladders is to simply not board. If you look at a ladder and wonder if you’re going to make it to the top, fuck the bridge team. I’m not going to let my family find out the hard way.
That is far from “current” thinking……on face value, if the ladder is non compliant, it is rectified prior to transferring but you still have that conversation at the end of the job. In our area of operation, this has always been the case.
I have also heard of a recent example of this with a pilot trainee used to forward house ferries, underestimating the wheel over point on a 600’ aft house cargo ship.
