DESARROLLO Y DETERIORO DE LA REGIÓN
OBRAS Y ACTIVIDADES PROPIAS DE LAS VÍAS GENERALES DE COMUNICACIÓN
83. Foreman’s Request
Foreman: Third Mate, I want to change the loading sequence a little. Is the Chief Mate there?
3/off: No, he’s on shore getting a yellow fever vaccination. He said he’d return by 16:00. How do you want to change it?
Foreman: According to the Chief Mate’s plan, we are supposed to load 2,000 tons at Hatch No. 2 and then 2,000 tons at Hatch No. 6 and then 1,000 tons at Hatch No.2 again. I would prefer to load the 3,000 tons at Hatch No.2 all at the same time. It would help us finish earlier.
3/off: Well, it won’t affect the trim of the ship, but I still don’t think we can load that much at once. Wait a minute; I’ll do some calculations.
Foreman: It’s OK on most ships, so I think it’ll be OK. What do your calculations say?
3/off: Well, it seems to be a problem for our ship. If we discharge the whole ballast of the forepeak tank we could do it, but then the trim would be too large, and the aft draft might be a problem.
Foreman: Well, it doesn’t seem possible then. I must follow your plan. 3/off: Yes, please do.
Foreman: By the way, is the draft checked using this schedule? 3/off: Yes, I thank so.
Foreman: OK. Let’s stick with this plan.
3/off: When can we have the exact reading?
Foreman: I think I’ll have a figure for you when you finish the draft check calculations.
yellow fever: a serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes
vaccination: an injection to give immunity against an infectious disease; i.e., a polio vaccination hatch: an opening in the deck roof or floor, a hatch of a cargo hold in this case
discharge: to eliminate, to deliver, to let go forepeak: ship’s foreword ballast tank aft: the rear of a ship
stick with: stick to, to follow, to do something in keeping with…
draft check calculation(s): numerical operations for finding out a proper draft level
84. Talking with the Foreman on Deck
Foreman: Third Mate, seawater is leaking from the topside tank in Hold No. 2. Will you come and take a look?
3/off: Again? This always happens. OK, I’m coming. (After checking the leak) It doesn’t seem to be leaking very much. I’ll discharge the ballast here, and it should stop soon. I’ll tell the Chief Officer about this.
Foreman: We are going to pick up a bulldozer from Hatch No. 6. Please check the hold. 3/off: OK. I’ll check it after I speak to the Chief Officer.
(Third Officer goes to Hold No. 6)
3/off: Assistant Officer, I’m going to check Hold No. 6.
A/off: Be careful, Third Mate. Take your time and be careful not to slip and fall from the ladder. Some of our young seamen are so eager that they use the vertical ladder. You shouldn’t use it because it’s too dangerous.
3/off: Don’t worry. I’ll use the aft spiral ladder to go down inside. (Third Officer comes back from the Hold)
Foreman: Is anything wrong?
3/off: Yes. The bottom part of the spiral ladder is broken.
Foreman: It must have happened at another port. I don’t think it happened here.
3/off: I think that it happened here and not too long ago because the scratches look new. Will you come down and see?
Foreman: Damn! I told everyone to be careful. OK, let’s go and take a look at the damage.
hold: storage space
bulldozer: a heavy machine for clearing land vertical ladder: an upright climbing device
spiral ladder: a climbing device shaped like a spiral scratches: damage caused by scratching or scraping Damn!: swear word said to show anger or disappointment
85. Complaining to the Driver of the Cargo Loader
3/off: Foreman, can you come and take a look at Hatch No. 3? Foreman: Of course. What’s the matter?
3/off: The man who is loading the cargo has been loading the starboard side too much. The other hatches are evenly loaded, but No.2 Hatch is being over loaded on the starboard side. Could you please tell the cargo-loader operator to be careful? The Chief Mate instructed us to make sure that the ship doesn’t list.
Foreman: I wonder what happened. He was doing fine until now. whenever I take my eyes off things, something always goes wrong. I’ll go and talk to him now.
3/off: Thank you.
Foreman: (Through the transceiver) Hey, Jim! What are you doing? You’re loading the starboard side too much!
Driver: What? I’m loading the starboard side too much? I don’t think so.
Foreman: What’s wrong with you? Did you forget to wake up this morning? Pay attention to what you are doing and even out the load!
Driver: OK, I’ll load on the port side. By the way, I’m thirsty. Can you tell the Third Mate to bring me a can of coke. Please?
Foreman: OK. But pay attention to what you’re doing. Third Mate, could you please get the loader a can of coke?
3/off: Again? I just gave him one a little while ago. All right, I’ll get him one. Just make sure that he does a good job. Otherwise, I’ll have the Chief Officer file a complaint.
cargo-loader operator: a person who loads or unloads a ship’s cargo (goods) using a mechanical loader
instruct(ed): to show how to do thins list: to incline, to tilt
take my eyes off…: not to watch or pay attention to… complaint: a formal statement of dissatisfaction
86. Lashing Down the Cargo on a Container Ship
Worker: Hey, Third Mate, how’s it going? Did you go ashore last night and have some fun? 3/off: No, I was so busy last night that I didn’t have time to go ashore.
Worker: That’s too bad. There are a lot of good places to go around here. Don’t you know that it’s bad for your health to work too much? Ha, ha, ha!
3/off: Yeah, right. Can you tighten the lashing bars in Bay No. 3? They’re loose.
Worker: Those containers aren’t ours. Their destination is Los Angeles, so it’s not my job.
3/off: I know that they’re bound for Los Angeles, but they were loosened by mistake yesterday. So they have to be tightened again.
Worker: That’s not my problem. I’ve been working all night in the rain and I’m tired. Ask the foreman to do it.
3/off: I asked him, and he told me to have one of you workers do it. Worker: Then ask my fellow worker over there.
3/off: I asked him and he told me to ask you. So when you finish this one, follow me. Worker: All right, all right. I’m coming.
3/off: Here, since you’re so tough, tighten this one up. Worker: Damn! Who did this?
3/off: (Mumbling) I don’t know, but they always come loose, so they have to be tightened anyway.
go ashore: to land, to disembark from a ship
lashing bars: bars used for tying (or lashing) things down destination: a place where something or somebody is going bound for: destined to go to …, headed for …
by mistake: something done wrong unknowingly, an error has been made mumbling: speaking in a low, hardly audible voice (usu. talking to oneself)
87. Lowering the Gangway
Agent: Quartermaster, lower the gangway, please.
Ramose: Just a moment, please. We haven’t finished making fast. I’m just waiting for the Captain’s permission.
Agent: I see. Then please lower it when you’re ready. Ramos: OK. He gave me the go. I’m lowering it now.
Agent: Quartermaster, watch out for the bitt down here. Lower it slowly, so it doesn’t hit the bitt. Ramos: OK. Tell me when to stop.
Agent: Stop. Actually, now it’s just a little too low. Can you pull it up a little? Ramos: OK. I’ll raise it. How’s that.
Agent: That’s perfect. Thank you. (The agent comes on board)
Agent: How is everything going?
Ramos: Pretty good. We’ve going to lower the gangway onto the wharf after we’ve berthed. Agent: OK.
2/off: Ramos, we’ve anchored now. everyone’s coming, so lower the gangway onto the pier. Ramos: Yes, sir.
2/off: We’ll have to watch the tide. It’s high tide now, but tomorrow morning, when it is low tide, we’ll be a lot lower. So, we have to raise the gangway as soon as the tide ebbs, or it’ll be too late.
Ramos: I know. I read the tide information that the Third Mate prepared for us.
gangway: a walk way used to board or disembark a ship
making fast: tying something down to stabilize it or make it firm permission: being allowed to do something
gave me the go: gave me the permission; it is OK to do … bitt: a post set on deck for securing ropes or cables
perfect: complete, thorough, without a fault
wharf: a landing place or a place where a ship can berth pier: sturdy structure projecting into the sea
high tide: rising seawater level
88. Connecting a Hose
Bosun: （To the Pump Man who is operating the crane）Pump Man, give it some slack! OK. Stop! Hold on. Ramos, grab the hose with the rope! Be careful.
Avarro: Perez, I’ll pass it to you on this side. Try to catch the end! Perez: OK. I’ve got it. I’ll send it around again.
Avarro: That’s enough. Let’s tie it to the bitt. Bosun, hold on, sir.
Bosun: Pump Man, give it some more slack, Perez, be careful!! Stay away from the hose! OK. Hold on. Avarro, how is it? Is it positioned properly?
Avarro: Bosun, we need some more slack.
Bosun: Pump Man, give it some more slack! Stop! How is it now? Avarro: It’s fine, sir. May I put in the bolts now?
Bosun: Wait a minute. Let me check it. OK. You can put in the top bolt. Perez, put it into the side hole with the spike and hold it.
Perez: Is this OK?
Bosun: Yes, that’s good. Avarro, how’s it going? Can you reach it? Avarro: Yes, I’m screwing it in now. OK. I’ve got it!
Bosun: OK. Fasten the other side. Perez, hold it like that until he’s finished. Avarro: I’ve inserted it on this side, too. And I set the nut.
Bosun: Don’t tighten the nut. Perez, take out the spike and put a bolt in there. Perez: Done. I’ll put a packing sheet inside.
Bosun: OK. Now set all of the bolts.
slack: looseness
Bosun: low-rank officer in charge of deck work positioned properly: placed in the correct location
spike: a hard, sharply-pointed piece of metal (looks like a big nail) screwing: turning and pushing in something, e.g. screws
fasten: to secure, to hold something firmly insert(ed): to put in, to place inside something
nut: small piece of metal with a threaded hole in the center
89. Meeting with the Berth Master in the COC
C/off: Let’s begin the meeting.
B.M.: OK. I agree with your plan. You said that it will take a total of 20 hours, and I think so, too. The first cargo is Arabian Light crude oil. Discharge it at a rate of 5,000 Kl an hour for the first three hours. Then, I’d like you to increase it to 8,000 kl per hour.
C/off: I understand. What do you think about the crude oil washing? We have Arabian Light in No. 3 Center, but I’m going to do the COW here with Arabian Heavy, the second grade, after I discharge all of No. 3 Center.
B.M.: That’s fine. Please let me know when you start the oxygen check. I would like my assistant to attend.
C/off: OK. I will have the duty officer inform you when we begin the oxygen check.
B.M.: I will report the hourly discharge rate, the balance, and so forth to you by phone. Please tell the duty officers to report the ship’s figures to us, too.
C/off: I will. Can I use the transceiver or the temporary phone to call you if there’s an emergency?
B.M.: Of course you can. I will be in either the COC or on deck. Just be careful not to spill any oil.
C/off: Yes, we will be very careful. The last tank to be emptied is in No. 3 Center. I will be preparing 3,000 cubic meters of fresh oil there. Will that be enough?
B.M.: Yes, it will. Try not to suck too much air in during the final stage. OK. Let’s start discharging.
B.M.: Berth Master a shore-side professional experienced in ship’s berthing operations crude oil: heavy oil that comes from an oil well; unrefined oil
COW: Crude Oil washing
oxygen check: measuring the amount of oxygen present attend: to be present, to come to the site
spill: to overflow a liquid
90. Starting to Discharge Crude Oil
2/off: Chief Officer, I finished lining up and I will now start discharging. (Through the transceiver) Pump Man, this the COC. Do you read me?
P.M.: Loud and clear, sir.
2/off: I will be starting the No. 1 cargo oil-pump. P.M.: Roger!
2/off: Chief Officer, I’m starting the pump now. (Pushes the start button. The pump starts up at minimum speed) Chief Officer, I’ll check the governor now. The governor’s OK. (To the Bosun through the transceiver) Bosun, I’m sending the oil to the deck. Let me know when the oil passes through the manifold.
Bosun: I will
2/off: Chief Officer, I’m sending the oil to shore. (The Second Officer opens the delivery valve a little to watch the pressure gauges)
bosun: COC, this is the manifold. The oil is passing, sir. 2/off: Thank you. Pump Man, this is the COC.
P.M.: This is the Pump Man, go ahead, COC.
2/off: I will be starting the No. 2 Pump and then the No. 3 Pump. P.M.: Roger!
(The Second Officer starts the No. 2 and No. 3 cargo oil pumps. He checks the governor, then opens the delivery valve a little.)
2/off: Bosun, report the manifold pressure, please. Bosun: The manifold pressure is two kilograms now.
2/off: Roger. Two kilos. I’m going to increase the manifold pressure to five kilos. Please report to me at every half-kilo increasing up to four kilos, and after that, at every 0.2-kilo increment.
P.M.: Pump Man
lining up: aligning things until they match
governor: a feedback device of a machine used for adjustment or control; i.e. a throttle manifold: a pipe with several ports, a pipe or chamber with several openings
delivery valve: a valve to allow a liquid to flow out
pressure gauge(s): an instrument used for measuring pressure increment: small changes in value; a small amount or measure
91. Washing Crude Oil
Bosun: Avarro, let’s set the No. 2 Center COW machine’s angle to 125 degrees. Avarro: Yes, sir. I’ll set the No. 1 and 2 machines
Bosun: I’ll do Number 3 and 4. Avarro: I’m finished.
Bosun: (To COC by transceiver) COC, this is Bosun, how do you read me? COC: This is COC, loud and clear, Bosun. Go ahead, please
Bosun: I’ve set the No. 2 Center, and Number 1 through Number 4 COW machines to 125 degrees, sir.
COC: Roger. Set No. 2 Center, and Number 1 through Number 4 COW machines to 125 degrees. I’ll start COW at No.2 Center. Bosun, please open 2C1, 2, 3, and 4 COW-machine valves.
Bosun: Roger. Open 2c1, 2, 3, and 4 COW-machine valves. Avarro, open Number 1 and Number 2.
Avarro: OK, opening valve Number 1 and 2. Bosun, I’ve opened them, sir. Bosun: (To COC) COC, we’ve opened the 2c1, 2, 3, and 4 machine valves, sir. COC: Roger. I’ll send the oil. Let me know when the oil passes the machine valves. Bosun: Roger. Gas is passing through the valves. There, the oil is passing now, sir.
COC: Roger. I’m increasing power, and I’m going to set the COW line-pressure to 10 kilos. Bosun: Roger. The COW machines have started running, sir.
COC: Roger. I’ve set the line pressure to 10 kilos. Check the COW line and COW machines. Bosun: Roger. I’m going to check both the line and the machines.
angle: a figure formed by two lines meeting at the same point, a bend … how do you read me?: How can you hear me? Can you hear me well? line-pressure: pressure of a material flowing inside a pipe