Seminars and training
Vol. 1,No10
This past week has been one busy week! It is almost the end to another month down!
I count the weeks as if I am a prisoner awaiting my release..knowing that the end is near(a nice finish,eh?). At last count, I think it was 75 days left;This means two and a half more months! The ship had some mandatory training and I participated in two of the three seminars, presented. Although it is somewhat of a diversion from the normal routine, it was a nice change.
Environmental Programs was the first Seminar that encompassed pollution, garbage and oil spills. Some of the things the Instructor presented were the fines imposed on Mariners who failed to report large oil spills, or who didn’t filter oil via an Oily-Water Separator (OWS) prior to discharging the water, overboard. There was one figure that put $3,000 fine per barrel discharged against anyone violating such act and 20 years in prison. Individual fines could amount up to $250,000! We were also reminded of what ypes of garbage and how far away from land, it could be thrown overboard (yes, garbage is still thrown overboard, far, at sea!) Well, The Seminar really entailed filling out a test-question book and that was it! I was expecting more than just, “Here you go..you have ’till lunch to get this accomplished”.
The following day, we had a Seminar on Damage Control. The same instructor, took all the equipment, out of the lockers and explained them to the crew. Each piece of equipment was discussed and explained on its function. Some of it was a “refresher” for me, as well. It’s been some time since I saw how some of the equipment was used. Things like Pipe-patching kits to keep metal pipes, intact and how to create a “shoring” by use of wood beams that can keep a vertical structure,”bulkhead” from collapsing. This would be an example of damage from a collision.
On the Third day, Chemical and Biological attacks were the topic of discussion and the materials and methods on how to cope with such an incident. Since I am already qualified as a Chemical, Biological and Radiological-Defense(CBR-D) Officer, I just “sat in” on the lecture. Again, it was a good “refresher” on the knowledge behind CBR-D.
With all the Seminars, the end of month requires all inspection “reports” to be turned on, as well as full report sent in, to the Captain. I’ve been tasked to do the latter and have been working throughout my ‘Mid Watch” in order to accomplish the reports. The end of month is particularly burden-some and always seems to be a hectic time. All I have to remember is,” Can’t wait until it’s over.[month]”. I had made this phrase my high school phrase that I put, in the yearbook (leaving out the “month”, of course).
A new month awaits….
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