Sea Rose FPSO

[James Curry]

How on earth can a navigator have clear view when underway on the Sea Rose. Suppose she uses onboard camera technology? She left Belfast on Tuesday? it would appear she has compny the Maresk Cutter.


Maresk Cutter.jpg



Sea Rose leaving.jpg

[Ivan Cloherty]

When you see some of the ship designs these days with deck obstructions you wonder if any thought has been given to safe navigation of said vessels; most seem to have been designed by naval architects and shore wallahs with no idea of actual sea conditions. Then there are those vessels with all accommodation perched on the bow with no thought at all to the comfort of the seamen in rough weather with the vessel pounding into the waves and shaking like a dog when she rises up again, the off duty crew will get no rest at all, at least when you are on watch, no matter the department your mind is engaged, I think its called progress!!

[j.sabourn]

When I retired in 2002 Ivan there were two types of seamen , pre radar , gyro compass, automatic helmsman, GPS, and all the other little bits of goodies. Today you have seamen who won’t go to sea unless the Radar is working. The only thing I can say for the latter type of seafarer is they have just cause due to the skeleton crews now employed in modern shipping. The closest one can get back to the old days is to seek employment in third world shipping, and to western shipowners who are always trying to cut corners and profit from reduced manning and retain the old vessel type. JS

[j.sabourn]

There should be very few if any collisions at sea today as what I remember from just the preliminary to the Rules and Regulations for preventing collisions at sea “ These Rules ( better known as Articles ) shall be followed by all vessels and seaplanes on the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels, except as provided in Rule 30 where as a result of their special construction it is not possible for a seaplane on the water to carry the lights and shapes these rules shall be followed as closely as circumstances permit .” The people who make rules always leave themselves a way out or a safety exit, and leave someone else to carry the can. Cheers JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Take a look at the bridge on the moder day cruise ship, you would not know where to start.

But have met a couple of skippers who are old time.
One, an Italian began his career on a ship with what he described as chain steering.
The other still carried a sextant with him, just in case he told me.

Quite amazing the number of skippers who are Italian!!!!

[j.sabourn]

#5 must all be taken a leaf out of Clint Eastwoods spaghetti movies John ? and returning the compliment , did they say go ahead , make my day to the passengers. If not I’ll shoot you with it. JS

[j.sabourn]

#5 As a modern day offshore supply vessel , the control consuls would be no slouch with consuls duplicated both the fore and duplicated on the after end of the wheelhouse John. Becker Rudder consuls , thrusters forward and aft , and dynamic positioning consuls all lit up like Xmas trees. Cheers JS.

[Ivan Cloherty]

One, an Italian began his career on a ship with what he described as chain steering.

Me too! it is known as Rod and Chain Steering, the vessel was built in 1914, it was full of life's little luxuries, no hot water, toilet on deck, coal fired steam vessel. welcome aboard!

[happy daze john in oz]

Thanks Ivan, yes that is how he described it,
Very old I think he said he began his career at sea as a 14 year old in about mid 1950's.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Thanks Ivan, yes that is how he described it,
Very old I think he said he began his career at sea as a 14 year old in about mid 1950's.

It was bloody hard work being a helmsman with that system, the wheel was about 6 feet in diameter, to get some leverage, it could still spin in bad weather and throw you across the wheelhouse if you didn't pay attention, I credit it with building my small wiry arm muscles. A chain went around a cog on the wheel shaft, went down to deck level on both sides went through rollers and then attached to steel rods which ran in a channel along the deck to the poop then through a roller to attach to a heavy duty chain which went round the rudder quadrant on deck attached to the rudder stock, there be no quick hard-a-starboard or hard-a-port on that vessel.

No doubt one of our more competent shipmates may be able to get a diagram up for you.

Started my career at 13 on trawler to Iceland and Bear Island out of Hull, it were hard work lad, but taught me so much and just kindled the flame that had been simmering since my first visit to a ship in the war aged 5. Landed an injured seaman in Seydisfjord in Iceland and inherited is bunk, prior that my place was a mattress underneath the messroom table, but that hadn't deter me, I didn't know any better!