The best place to read these epics of long ago is with a cup of Java in hand having just emerged from the lee of bum island.
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Itâs possible to reduce risk and not change the status of the work/rest periods.
A minimum of 2 hours is required to be considered rest but a 20 minute nap sometimes is sufficient to reduce the effects of fatigue for a while. Even a 5 minute nap is sometimes enough to restore alertness for a bit.
We were in two different businesses. Towing a 30k ton barge off Hatteras in the winter in a hard nor-easter, nobody slept. That 20 minute nap you speak of would have been welcome.
If you read the MAIB reports in the UK 99% are fatigue which is caused by under manning versus the workload in the North Sea.
I have spoken to a few Captains who did feeder runs, they said no real sleep in the 10 day shift.
The UK gov tried to lobby to increase minimum manning but didnt get anywhere
I was referring to this part:
I assume when you say "rest hoursâ youâre referring to the mandated work/rest hours. For one the rules are written in such a way that the safety of the vessel take priority over compliance with the rule. For another even for mariners not familiar with with the exact wording to the rules the fact the safety is a priority is obvious.
Compliances aside; even if the crew is not able to sleep (most get at least some in my experience) getting rest is still important. Even if itâs not possible to fully comply the regulations still provide information which can serve as guidance.
Iâve made numerous winter trips in the Gulf of Alaska in various vessels from tugs towing on the wire, to the Aleutian Freighter and container ships. Also some of the union contracted companies I worked for required some training in fatigue and rest, this was well before the work/rest requirements so Iâve also had both the experience and the training.
They MAIB also has their other dodge, crew took shortcuts, the failure to comply with all rules and regulations. That was the case with the MAIB report Hoegh Osake, C/M was said to penciled whipped a 218 item check list. Of course he did, otherwise how could he get his work done?
The MAIB could get a bot to write their reports, if they havenât already.
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I have no beef with you Kennebec. You have been around this crazy business, as have I. Never got âTraining in fatigue and restâ from the unions I worked for that I remember. Thank goodness more than half my trips were decent weather, some were not. We knew how to get rest when possible without someone telling us how to do it. Those life jackets stuck on the undersides of the bunks were helpful. I preferred the cup method. Could roll either way.
Only solution at sea when all aboard have fallen asleep is to stop and say that the ship is not under control any longer. When you wake up again, donât forget to inform that your ship is under control again. KISS!
YES! Thatâs a great idea. The correct term is Not Under Command but letâs not fuss over details. Sailing 24 hours a day is pure nonsense. If ships were only operated in the daylight hours, say 9 to 5 like a normal business, this whole rest time debacle would disappear as everyone would get plenty of rest. Why no one else has figured this out this simple solution is mind boggling, donât you think?
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As the MAIB is only an organisation that investigates accidents, if the industry keeps having the same failures then their reports will keep saying the same thing.
A 1988 definition is that command and control is the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated individual over assigned resources in the accomplishment of a common goal. If this individual falls asleep she/he must simply inform other concerned parties about the situation. On my ships the solution was simple. Just call me for advice.
Before or after falling asleep? The fuel savings under my plan would more than make up for slower transit times.
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I am on my first cup of coffee Lee. You continue to amuse me in a professional way⌠Thanks for the first chuckle of the day. If you havenât left Outer Banks yet, stop by Oceans East in Nags Head for your fishing supplies. One of my renters is the manager there and a a former charter dude on the âSeaducerâ. Will hook you up with the best shit you need.
Did you preview âsleeping areasâ with all ships tied together?
Among all her sisters, the ships would feel less abandoned.
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At Christmas time the Scandinavians and us hosted a Christmas tree up the mast but on New Years Eve they stopped. With NUC lights displayed they partied hard judging by the VHF transmissions.
My last cook always put out the grub on holidays. No matter what the weather. He is now a valued and respected AB/Tankerman approaching retirement. He could also handle the boat if needed, Put him on the throttles many times. Never understood why he didnât pursue it further, a damn good fellow to have aboard.
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Is this the same way that you stop the ship in the Suez and let it gently drift to shore?
Why donât you just tell the whole story. Everybody was doing coke back then! I love the great sea stories the boomers tell about how they worked 18 hours every day and then drank 7 hours each night and went back to work!
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The people I knew werenât doing coke but that doesnât mean they sometimes didnât burn that candle at both ends. That said I have been in situations that required being up 24 - 36 hours dealing with shitty situations. Thatâs called life and has nothing to do with being a âboomerâ. If you are fortunate enough to never to be in such a situation count your blessings.
Fine, âuppersâ.