Ray Mark Odchigue

BSMT-IV BRIESE

MARLAW

MWF 09:30-1030 AM

Experience in Pilotage

Pilotage area: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

When: Mid of January

It was already 12:00 am and our bosun has summoned us to the deck because
the pilot is boarding the vessel at around 2:00 am. It was cold and very windy at that
time. While experiencing all the effects in our surroundings; we then immediately rigged
the pilot ladder on the starboard side because that is the side where the officers on the
pilot station told them to. After rigging the pilot ladder and prepare all the needed
equipment. We waited for the pilot to come onboard but 3 hours have passed and we
still dont see the pilot boat. We drifted for about an hour just to wait for the pilot. While
we are waiting for the pilot on the deck, some of us went to sleep including myself.
Were still very sleepy at that time and we dont have enough sleep during the night
because were very busy. At about 4:00 am, the port authorities had called us that the
pilot is coming. We waited again for another 15 minutes, and at last we saw the pilot
boat coming. We then adjust ourselves and be ready to attend to the pilots needs.
When the pilot had boarded the vessel, we immediately heave up the pilot ladder and
secured it and while securing, my co- cadet had escorted the pilot to the bridge. After
doing the task given to us, some of us went back to take rest and prepare for steering.
At that time, we already have alternate steering time schedule for all the deck crew
except the bosun.

Experience in Towing

Towing area: Port Ravenna, Italy

When: First week of December

It was winter during our trip to Italy. Our vessel was to docked on one of the ports
in Ravenna and the weather was against us at that time. All the deck crew were to
proceed at their respective mooring stations and prepare the mooring ropes for docking.
It was still a two and a half hour trip to the trip and the ship should require a tug boat.
While the tug boat is on the way, we hid on our workshop against the cold for the
moment. I was assigned in the forward part of the vessel at that time and the others
were on the aft part. When the tug boat had arrived, we immediately threw a heaving
line but it was very unfortunate. The wind was very strong and it was getting colder. It
feels like the wind is slicing

on my face because every time the wind blows, my face

was starting to feel pain and is getting numb and at the meantime, it was getting redder.
Going back to the throwing of the heaving line, we already threw it three times already
but none succeeded. During the fourth time, we waited for the wind to blow and threw it
afterwards. It was a success and we then heave up the towing line from the pilot boat to
our vessel and secured it right away. After securing, the towing boat was setting her
best position to tow and we then we went back to our workshop to hid against the cold
and get ourselves warmed at the moment. After reaching our designated port, we then
docked the ship and remove the towing line from the towing boat to our vessel.

Experience in Stevedoring

Stevedoring Area: Papua New Guinea

When: 1st two months of my contract

It was my very first time on a vessel as a crew. I boarded the vessel in the port of
Sattahip, Thailand. After we depart from the said port, our next destination was in
Papua, New Guinea. It was a two week trip from Thailand. Upon arriving at the said
destination and docked our vessel on our assigned port, we immediately prepare the
vessel for boarding. The first to board the vessel were the port authorities followed after
them was the stevedoring gang. It was my first time working with other nationalities,
even so they were so friendly to us. After two days, all the Filipino crew onboard our
vessel became their friends except the Russians. They all hated the Russians and
Ukrainians because they were dumb and strict according to them, unlike the Filipinos
and Americans who were all very friendly and generous to them. My other Filipino
crewmates often gave them cigarettes in return they will help us on the laying of the
dunnages. They were all cooperative and helpful as seen on my naked eyes. It was my
first time seeing those people who will really offer their help in just a box of cigarette
handed to them. After many months, we went there back and forth on the same voyage.
For six months straight, we always saw them, same stevedoring gang in Papua, New
Guinea.