No, I'm not in the Navy: The Maritime Transportation Thread

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > No, I'm not in the Navy: The Maritime Transportation Thread

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

Fragrag posted:

So this happened on the Belgian coast

If you can't read Dutch, hundreds of syringes wash ashore on a Belgian beach. They think a ship simply threw the used syringes of a crewmember overboard. That or it's cargo that went overboard, but how likely is the first scenario?

How many syringes are we talking about?

If it's more than a person's consumption for a couple of weeks, somebody lost a container full of medical supplies. See also the rubber ducks and sneakers being used to study ocean currents.

Syringes are plastic, so throwing them over the side would be illegal anyway... And I'm doubtful that there are countries out there that would deliver a medical certificate to a guy who needed regular injections of anything.

Edit: could also have been dumped out by a shore-based facility, carried to sea by currents and brought back in on the next tide.

FrozenVent fucked around with this message at 15:36 on Dec 2, 2013

# ? Dec 2, 2013 14:14

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# ? May 17, 2024 21:41

lightpole: Jun 4, 2004; I think that MBAs are useful, in case you are looking for an answer to the question of "Is lightpole a total fucking idiot".

USCG grants a waiver for type 1 diabetes. They are cracking down on health issues though. I am not looking forward to the next time I have to upgrade or renew,

# ? Dec 3, 2013 01:29

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

Last time I renewed, and since I started really, the only things that would get you disqualified in Canada were color blindness and maybe, maybe diabetes type 1.

FrozenVent fucked around with this message at 23:12 on Aug 8, 2014

# ? Dec 3, 2013 01:35

Fish Shalami: Feb 6, 2005; What is shalami?

lightpole posted:

Never ever sail tankers except Chevron.

Matson BBQs before Hawaii are tits. Had to drag my relief out of his bunk several times. Maersk is dry and the captains didn't like to leave the ship but chiefs and 1sts wanted beer and would let you know how to get it or get it for you. APL is wet as well with the same tolerance as Matson. However when I was a cadet on APL the 2nd got called out for arrival at 0dark30 and hit his toe on something when he got up and hurt it. When he went to get it looked at the captain just tested him and sent him back to work. If someone doesn't like you on such a ship they can have your room searched and you tested at the worst possible moment which is something to keep in mind.

The APL ship I was on last, the Reefer/Electrician drank roughly a case of beer a night. I wish I was joking. I think he spent a couple grand on his slop chest bill by the end of the voyage. The guy was absolutely hilarious though.

# ? Dec 3, 2013 06:34

Comrade Blyatlov: Aug 4, 2007; should have picked four fingers

Well, that's poo poo. I just found out that one of the cadets I went through school with was killed in a car accident in Mauritius at the end of October. Rest in peace, buddy.

# ? Dec 3, 2013 10:17

magpie: Apr 28, 2006

Two Finger posted:

Well, that's poo poo. I just found out that one of the cadets I went through school with was killed in a car accident in Mauritius at the end of October. Rest in peace, buddy.

That's a real shame, sorry. Was he on shore leave or signing on/off? Agents seem to drive as fast as possible between the ship and the airport.

# ? Dec 3, 2013 12:39

Tide: Mar 27, 2010; by FactsAreUseless

Thank God we subcontract out all transportation. If I had to be a glorified taxi driver I would drink more (than I already do). That said, whenever I have a crewman (or even the old man) ask for a ride somewhere, I usually say "Sorry, insurance regs won't allow it. Here's a number to call for TWIC escort/taxi." Unless I like the guy. But that rarely happens in as much as I just want to get the gently caress off the boat because I've got any number of things more important than making sure they get to go shopping.

Back in the day, like 15 years ago, the agent would get fired for not taking the captain ashore and being at their beck and call. Now, unless I'm specifically working for the owners (usually working for the charterers), not my problem. And even if I'm working for the owners, no where in the appointment does it say "errand boy". Owners agency work is mostly done remotely anyway and using subcontractors/vendors for the crew changes, spares delivery, etc.

Right now, I have three boats in dry dock/shipyard with a fourth on the way. Kill me now.

edit: To clarify a bit so I don't come across as a complete prick that's insensitive to the crew since you guys are mariners...Stand by for :words:

You probably know that at any different time, we (agents) have any number of ships under our control at any given time. It's awfully hard to get vested in the interests of the crew when you barely know your own name much less have the time to be 'friendly' with the crew/officers that you'll likely never see again. The other side of the coin is that owners have continually refused to appoint agents for owners matters (or just generally to assist with the welfare of the crew) and when they do, the rates they want to pay us are absolute poo poo; wanting Mercedes white glove service while paying Yugo rates.

Now, I get paid the same no matter what the company I work for gets paid, so you'd think this doesn't matter to me. But it does - it probably shouldn't, but it does. That said, it mostly comes down to a "time" thing, or lack thereof.

Plus, in this day in age with seemingly everyone having a lawyer on speed dial, if anything happens while you're in my 'care', you become my and my company's responsibility. So, if we're not paid to attend owners matters, I can't really do much for you, even if it's convenient. It mostly depends on who is paying the bills.

Tide fucked around with this message at 18:12 on Dec 3, 2013

# ? Dec 3, 2013 17:55

Polikarpov: Jun 1, 2013; Keep it between the buoys

Diego Garcia status: boring with a side of dull. The only perk is we go fishing over a nearby seamount on our bi-monthly steaming exercises and catch all kinds of delicious fish.

# ? Dec 5, 2013 16:23

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

Did everyone see that video of the guy getting rescued after two days inside a sunken boat?

Because that is :stare:

on so many loving levels.

# ? Dec 5, 2013 16:25

afen: Sep 23, 2003; nemo saltat sobrius

Nice weather in the North Sea today, we're in port, and the wind sensor registered 66 m/s gusts earlier today.

# ? Dec 5, 2013 17:34

Tide: Mar 27, 2010; by FactsAreUseless

FrozenVent posted:

Did everyone see that video of the guy getting rescued after two days inside a sunken boat?

Because that is on so many loving levels.

You talking about the story about the tug that capsized (and sunk!) and he managed to stay alive in air pockets? To top that off, when the divers went down to collect the bodies, the survivor grabbed one of the divers by the arm - understandably freaking him out.

Yeah, that's pretty much peak insane right there.

# ? Dec 5, 2013 21:02

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

Tide posted:

You talking about the story about the tug that capsized (and sunk!) and he managed to stay alive in air pockets? To top that off, when the divers went down to collect the bodies, the survivor grabbed one of the divers by the arm - understandably freaking him out.

Yeah, that's pretty much peak insane right there.

The dive video got leaked, it's all over youtube. Diver must have crapped his suit, holy poo poo.

# ? Dec 5, 2013 21:04

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

So apparently warships have their frames numbered from the stem heading aft, I've always seen frames numbered from the rudder post (Or whatever) heading forward, with everything aft of the rudder being negative.

Am I going nuts or do they use a completely different standard?

# ? Dec 9, 2013 18:10

shovelbum: Oct 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

Last day of finals. Gonna wear a non-regulation belt like a rebel. (it's 13 degrees out no one's gonna see my belt :smith:

)

edit: approved to test starting Monday 0745!

shovelbum fucked around with this message at 15:49 on Dec 11, 2013

# ? Dec 11, 2013 13:27

lightpole: Jun 4, 2004; I think that MBAs are useful, in case you are looking for an answer to the question of "Is lightpole a total fucking idiot".

Pass them all the first time around like the cool kids.

Head to the MEBA hall when you are good to go and get a physical or do that now so you can ship when your license comes. There have been some decent jobs that are open and you want 30 days covered employment and to start working on your group status ASAP.

# ? Dec 11, 2013 16:58

Fish Shalami: Feb 6, 2005; What is shalami?

I'd really like to pick up a ship from the Oakland hall after New years, except I can't really take any job without first giving my two weeks notice at this office job. Not sure if I want to subject myself to the whims of the hall again...

# ? Dec 12, 2013 11:14

lightpole: Jun 4, 2004; I think that MBAs are useful, in case you are looking for an answer to the question of "Is lightpole a total fucking idiot".

Take a leave of absence or something. I keep getting offers from my friends for a job in the city and rigs, Ensco, Noble, Sea drill, Maersk and whoever else all need people if you don't want to go to the hall. Anytime I've been there there have been a lot of decent jobs open board so you should do alright.

# ? Dec 12, 2013 17:15

Comrade Blyatlov: Aug 4, 2007; should have picked four fingers

I've been back two weeks and already one engine tripped off the board when it dumped its cooling water everywhere (and drat near blacked us out) and then we had a fire the next night. gently caress.

# ? Dec 20, 2013 20:00

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

Two Finger posted:

I've been back two weeks and already one engine tripped off the board when it dumped its cooling water everywhere (and drat near blacked us out) and then we had a fire the next night. gently caress.

Seems like your life gets exciting about 42 minutes a week on average, 23 weeks a year. Have you considered that maybe you're a character in a TV show?

Current Great Lakes status: poo poo's frozen.

# ? Dec 20, 2013 20:03

Absurd Alhazred: Mar 27, 2010; by Athanatos

I think I've found a very important resource for all you seaworthy/lakeworthy professionals: How to Avoid Huge Ships.

There are some positive reviews:

Cap'n Crunch posted:

Now I know what that steering wheel thingy is for

This book really is one of the best huge ship avoidance references I've come across, not just for the effective methods it teaches as to avoiding huge ships, but also for exploding some of the huge ship avoidance myths that many of us take for granted.

For example:
- Do not charge the huge ship at full speed in an attempt to scare it off. This may work with coyotes, but it is less effective with huge ships.
- Similarly, do not roll your boat over and play dead. Unless the huge ship is captained by a grizzly bear, this will not work.
- Do not attempt to go under the huge ship. This is typically not successful.
- Do not attempt to jump over the huge ship.

Captain Trimmer presents a rather novel technique for avoiding huge ships - move your boat out of the path of the huge ship. I know what you're thinking, this goes against conventional wisdom, but Trimmer presents significant empirical evidence to support his theory. Indeed, over the long run, moving out of the way will dramatically decrease the number of huge ship collisions you will have to endure in your daily life.

...as well as some not so much:

Dan posted:

TOO Informative.

Read this book before going on vacation and I couldn't find my cruise liner in the port. Vacation ruined.

# ? Dec 21, 2013 22:07

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

Absurd Alhazred posted:

I think I've found a very important resource for all you seaworthy/lakeworthy professionals: How to Avoid Huge Ships.

There are some positive reviews:

...as well as some not so much:

I really want to find this whole thing funny, but I've had enough near-misses with pleasure boaters that I just get angry.

Seriously someone should mod a t-shirt cannon to shoot copies of this book because there are people out there who really loving need to read it.

# ? Dec 21, 2013 22:16

Comrade Blyatlov: Aug 4, 2007; should have picked four fingers

Merry Christmas to everyone who's away from home today. I got extra bunkering duty from Santa

# ? Dec 25, 2013 11:11

FrozenVent: May 1, 2009; The Boeing 737-200QC is the undisputed workhorse of the skies.

Merry Christmas to everybody who's shipped out, do happy to have made the office move right now.

# ? Dec 25, 2013 14:14

shovelbum: Oct 21, 2010; Fun Shoe

Merry Christmas thread

I wish I was shipped out, I'm sitting here waiting for the USCG to send me a license for Christmas!

# ? Dec 25, 2013 20:28

lightpole: Jun 4, 2004; I think that MBAs are useful, in case you are looking for an answer to the question of "Is lightpole a total fucking idiot".

shovelbum posted:

Merry Christmas thread

I wish I was shipped out, I'm sitting here waiting for the USCG to send me a license for Christmas!

You have already made some extremely bad decisions to get to this point, there's no reason to compound the situation.

# ? Dec 26, 2013 08:08

ThatBasqueGuy: Feb 14, 2013; someone introduce jojo to lazyb

I finally finished reading this thread. I don't really know why, though the work does sound a bit enticing. Already in college for a good degree right now though, so I'll save the academy for when I hit my mid twenties rut. Keep up the good sailing guys!

# ? Dec 26, 2013 08:25

shovelbum: Oct 21, 2010; Fun Shoe