Conversation On Merchant Ship PDF

Conversation on Merchant Ship
Contents
Chapter 1. Arrival in Japan and Embarkation
1. On the plane – The Customs Declaration Form
2. Talking with Other Passengers
3. Customs Inspection
4. Meeting with an Agent: Situation(1) Agent Found Easily
5. Meeting with an Agent: Situation(2) Agent Arrives Late
6. At Tokyo Station
7. At the Mizushima Port Service Boat Station
8. Getting Lost
9. At a Convenience Store
10. In a Taxi
Chapter 2 On Board a Tanker
11. Self-Introduction – The Captain’s Cabin
12. the COC Room of the Tanker
13. Self-Introduction on a Passage
14. Being Taken to a Cabin
15. Getting to Know the Ship- The Bridge
16. Getting to Know the Ship- Communication Facilities
17. Getting to Know the Ship- A Cabin
18. Getting to Know the Ship- The dining Hall
19. Getting to Know the Ship- The Upper Deck
20. Getting to Know the Ship- The Poop Deck
21. Getting to Know the Ship- The Engine Room
22. Getting to Know the Ship- The Engine Control Room
23. Getting to Know the Ship- The galley
24. Getting to Know the Ship- The Toilet
25. Getting to Know the Ship- The Chamber
26. Getting to Know the Ship- The Deck Tool Store
27. Getting to Know the Ship- The Engine Store
28. Conversation During a Meal
29. Welcome Party
30. The Gymnasium
31. The Recreation Room
Chapter 3. Safety Training on Board
32. Safety Training – On Deck
33. On the Deck of a Bulk Carrier in Port
34. Dangers on a Tanker
35. tanker Fires and Explosions
36. Toxicity Hazards on a Tanker
37. Oxygen Deficiency on a Coal-Ore Carrier
38. Safety Training on the Forecastle
39. Using the Accommodation Ladder
40. Safety on the Stairway
41. Safety in the Galley
42. Safety in the Cabin
Conversation On MerChant Vessels 2
Chapter 4 Health and Hygiene
43. Making a Habit of Washing Your Hands
44. Sanitation and Cleaning
45. Deck Cleaning
46. Keeping Your Cabin Tidy
47. Garbage Disposal
48. Washing Clothes
49. The Importance of a Balanced Diet
50. First Aid – Abdominal Pains
51. First Aid – Headaches
52. First Aid – Fingers Caught in Doors and Other Injuries
53. First Aid – A Foreign Object in the Eye
54. First Aid – Removing a Fishhook Caught in a Finger
55. Going to the Hospital
56. Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Chapter 5 KYT – Kiken Yochi Training
57. What is KYT?
58. KYT – Four Rounds Method
59. KYT - Morning Meeting in the General Office
60. KYT – Tool Box Meeting in the Engine Control Room
61. A Meeting in the Engine Control Room
62. A Meeting in the Galley
Chapter 6 Navigation
63. Navigating a Narrow Channel
64. Bad Visibility
65. An Engine Problem
66. Talking on the VHF Radio with Another Ship(1)
68. Talking on the VHF Radio Before Entering Port
69. Entering Port(1)
70. Entering Port(2)
71. Preparing the Mooring Lines
72. Discussing the Navigation Schedule
73. Taking Over the Navigation Watch
74. Taking Over at the Engine Room
Chapter 7 General Duties on Board
75. The Ship’s Safety and Sanitation Meeting
76. Conversation with an Agent at the General Office
77. Conversation with the Authorities
78. Discipline on Board
79. Working Conditions
80. Union Meeting on Board
81. Supplying the Ship’s Stores
82. Supplying Provisions
Chapter 8. Cargo Handling
83. Foreman’s Request
84. Talking with the Foreman on Deck
85. Complaining to the Driver of the Cargo Loader
86. Lashing Down the Cargo on a Container Ship
87. Lowering the Gangway
88. Connecting a Hose
89. Meeting with the Berth Master in the COC
90. Starting to Discharge Crude Oil
91. Washing Crude Oil
Chapter 9. Preparations for Departure
92. Station on the Bridge for Leaving Port(1)
93. Station on the Bridge for Leaving Port(2)
94. Preparing to Leave Port in E.C.R.
95. Warning Up the Main Engine
96. Testing the Main Engine
97. Increasing the Main Engine Speed
Chapter 10. Bunkering
98. Meeting for Receiving Fuel Oil
99. Receiving Fuel Oil at the Starboard Manifold
100. Receiving Fuel Oil
Chapter 11. Maintenance
101. Work Schedule Meeting at the General Office
102. Maintenance of the Chambers
103. Removing Old Paint
104. Painting
105. Greasing Up
106. Overhauling the Fuel Oil Purifier
107. The Diesel Generator
108. Removing a Motor
Chapter 12. Muster drills
109. The Drill for Abandoning Ship
110. Fire-fighting Drill
Chapter 13. Docking
111. Meeting with the Shipyard – Deck Schedule
112. Supervising a Job in the Shipyard
113. Meeting Before Proceeding to the Shipyard
114. Working in the Engine Room at Dry Dock(1)
115. Working in the Engine Room at Dry Dock(2)
Special Features of the Book

To All the Seamen about to Embark on the World Voyage!
Welcome on Board! Conversations on Merchant Vessels recreates various situations that seamen
often encounter on board merchant ships, plus some scenes that take place on shore. Each situation
is selected for the purpose of familiarizing seamen with the realities of their life, while learning
English, which is the universal language of navigation. By practicing the conversations, notes and
keywords, you can experience, first hand, realistic developments that occur on board merchant
vessels. The conversations also include some practical advise on seamen’s life, actual navigational
operations, realistic descriptions of ship-bound equipment and navigation techniques.
The level of English increases gradually as the story unfolds. In the first few chapters,
conversations are general with simple vocabulary and grammatical structure. These language
elements become slightly more difficult as you progress. However, you needn’t worry. Most of the
difficult words and technical terms are explained in simple English in the <Notes> that appear
below each conversation. These terms, or keywords, are clearly marked with red ink in the text.
Now you need not consult a dictionary each time you encounter an unknown word!
In order to help you learn the accurate pronunciation, intonation and rhythm, which are all
important aspects of language learning, four compact disks (CDs) are provided for you.
Close-to-real depiction and enactment of each scene has been created through the voice talents of
Bianca Allen, Dennis Falt, Michael Naishtut, Greg Irwin and other professional voice actors and
narrators.
So just sit back and enjoy the 115 dramatized scenes that you are likely to encounter on board a
merchant ship. Now, listen to the CDs first and read the textbook later. Of, if you prefer, listen as
your eyes trail on the text. However you study, remember that the best way of mastering a language
is by hearing and repeating. Just like a baby picking up its mother tongue, listen to the sounds of
English over and over and repeat them. Then study with the textbook and review the Notes.
Lastly, all the members of the editorial staff wish each one of you the best of luck in sailing
across the world while learning English. Have a safe and enjoyable journey!
Bon voyage!
Editors

Chapter 1. Arrival in Japan and Embarkation
1. On the Plane – The Customs Declaration Form
(Announcement)
Ladies and Gentlemen, we will soon be distributing immigration forms and customs declaration
forms. Please fill them out and ask the cabin attendants if you require any help.
Santos: What does “Occupation” mean on this Immigration Form?

Cruz: It means the kind of business we are in. I guess we can write “seaman.”
Santos: Ok.
Cruz: I brought 400 Lucky Strike cigarettes and 200 Seven Stars cigarettes with me. I wonder if I
have to declare them.
Santos: I’m not sure. Let’s ask the cabin attendant. Excuse me, may we ask you a question?
Ca: Sure.
Cruz: I brought a total of 600 cigarettes with me. Do I have to pay tax on them?
Ca: Tax exemption for non-Japanese citizens is up to 400 Japanese cigarettes and 400
non-Japanese ones.
Cruz: I see. I have 400 non-Japanese cigarettes and 200 Japanese ones, so I don’t have to pay
any tax, right?
Ca: That’s right. You don’t have to declare them on the Declaration Form.
Santos: I brought a camera with me. Should I declare it?
Ca: If your camera is new and its price is over ¥100,000, then it is a taxable item. But if you do
not have any other article worth more than ¥100,000, then a camera is taxable only if it
cost you more than ¥20,000.
Santos: My camera isn’t new.
Ca: OK. Then you don’t need to declare it as long as it clearly looks used.
Santos: I see. Thank you for your help.
Cruz: Yes, thanks a lot.
Ca: You’re welcome.
Immigration form: personal information required before entering a country

Customs Declaration Form: information about the items you are carrying when entering a country
cabin attendant(s): flight (or ship or train) crew who takes care of the passengers
occupation: job, profession, line of work
declare: officially announce ->declaration: official announcement
tax exemption: not required to pay tax ->to exempt….from = to free a person from obligation
taxable: will be required to pay tax
2. Talking with Other Passengers

Cruz: I’m bored with the scenery. All I can see are clouds. (Pointing at a mountain). Wow!
Look! That must be Mr. Fuji! It’s exactly like in the picture I saw.
Santos: It’s really beautiful! Is the white stuff on top snow?
Pass: Yes, it’s snow. You’re lucky to see it so clearly. It’s quite beautiful. Is this your first time in
Japan?
Cruz: No, it’s our second time, but we didn’t see Mt. Fuji last time. We’re really lucky this time.
Pass.: Are you both here on business?
Cruz: No, we’re seamen. A Japanese company hired us, and we’re going to board a ship in
Mizushima.
Pass.: You’re seamen? It’s the first time I’ve ever met any seamen. Nice to meet you. Working at
sea seems like a tough job,. Where are you from?
Santos: I’m from Manila in the Philippines.
Pass.: I’ve never been to Manila, but I saw on TV that it’s quite a modern city.
Cruz: It sure is. Is Mt. Fuji covered with snow throughout the year?
Pass.: No, it isn’t. during the summer months, from June to august, the snow is gone completely.
After that, it is the fall season until the end of November. During the winter, from
November to around April, Mt. Fuji is covered with snow.
Cruz: I see.
Pass.: Well, enjoy your view and have a good trip.
Pass.: Passenger. a person traveling on e.g. a boat or train

scenery: the view of the landscape
Mt. Fuji: also called Fuji-san. The highest mountain in Japan and often the symbol of the country
first time in….: the first experience or the first visit to the place in question
going to board a ship: going to ride on a ship – go on board = to get on a train, plane, or boat
throughout the year: all through the year, always, January through December
completely: fully. 100%, to the fullest extent, all the way
have a good trip: enjoy your trip
3. Customs Inspection
C.o.: You’re seamen, aren’t you? Will you please open your suitcases?
Santos: OK. There you go.
C.o.: Are you carrying any liquor or cigarettes?
Cruz: I have two cartons of cigarettes.
C.o.: May I see them?
Cruz: (taking one carton from his carry-on and the other from his suitcase) Here they are.
C.o.: (Carefully inspecting them for concealed items) Thank you. That’s OK. May I check the
contents of your suitcase?
Santos: No problem. Go right ahead.
C.o.: (Looking at each item one by one) What’s this?
Santos: It’s some medicine I bought in the Philippines.
C.o.: Let me have a look inside. (Taking out some packages) What’s this medicine for?
Santos: It’s for the stomach.
C.o.: OK. Thank you. Please go ahead. Next, please.
Santos: He really took his time. I was starting to lose my patience!
Cruz: You said it! I’d heard that they were very strict with drugs. I hear there’s a lot of
smuggling from Southeast Asian countries. That’s why they are so thorough.
C.O.: Customs Officer a public servant working at Customs

liquor: a strong alcoholic drink, alcoholic drinks / beverages
carry-on: a piece of luggage a passenger is allowed to take inside an airplane; carry-on-board
luggage
concealed items: hidden objects - to conceal = to hide, to obstruct from view
Go right ahead: continue – “Feel free to do what you want.”
medicine: medication, pharmaceutical drugs, medicinal drugs
lose my patience: to become angry (after waiting for a long time in this case)
You said it!: Exactly! You can say that again! Yes, I agree.
strict: following the rules very closely. Enforcing the law
drugs: illegal chemical substances, narcotics
smuggling: carrying something into or out of a country illegally (against the law). – smuggle
thorough: complete, full.
4. Meeting with an Agent: Situation (1) agent Found Easily
Santos: (At Narita Airport’s Arrival Lobby) Wow! There are so many people! Where’s Mr.
Yamada, our agent?
Cruz: He must be waiting for us, holding a placard with our names on it. Look! This might be
him.
Santos: Excuse me. Are you Mr. Yamada from International Marine? We’re Cruz and Santos from
the Philippines. We’re supposed to board The Persian Adventure.
Yamada: Oh, hello, Mr. Cruz and Mr. Santos. Welcome to Japan. My name is Yamada, and I work
for International Marine.
Cruz: Nice to meet you, Mr. Yamada. My name is Conrad Cruz, Third mate.
Santos: Nice to meet you. My name is Manuel Santos. I’m third engineer.
Yamada: How was your trip?
Cruz: It was great! We saw Mt. Fuji from the plane. It was beautiful.
Yamada: I’m glad to hear that. Did you have any problems with Customs?
Santos: No, we didn’t, but we were searched quite thoroughly.
Yamada: That’s understandable. Customs officers are now very strict. Drug smuggling from
Southeast Asia has been increasing.
Cruz: They looked through our luggage. Is it that easy to find drugs?
Yamada: According to the news, they often find drugs that way. There is a minibus waiting for us,
so let’s get going.
placard: a sign. (a piece of card with people’s names written on it)

Third Mate: a member of a ship’s crew who helps to steer the ship
Third Engineer: a member of a ship’s crew who works in the ship’s Engine Room
…we were searched: A customs official examined us and our suitcases.
luggage: suitcases, trunks, etc. usually carried for traveling, large bags containing clothes
according to..: from what I’ve heard or read…
…let’s get going: …let’s go, let’s move
5. Meeting with an Agent: Situation (2) agent Found Easily
(Cruz and Santos exit into the Arrival Lobby. Suddenly, a Japanese woman calls them over.)
Stranger: Excuse me, are you Mr. Vincent from the Philippines ABC Company?
Cruz: No, I’m not. I’m not with the Philippines ABC Company.
Stranger: Oh, wrong person. I’m sorry.
Santos: It’s difficult to find people in this crowd.
Cruz: I think our agent has a placard with our names on it. Let’s try to find him.
(Ten minutes later)

Santos: He doesn’t seem to be here. Have we got the meeting place wrong? There are two
terminals at Narita Airport. This is Terminal 1, isn’t it?
Cruz: Well, let’s wait for a few more minutes. We don’t know the agent’s phone number anyway.
Let’s go sit on that bench over there.
(Ten more minutes later)

Santos: Look! That man seems to have a placard with our names on it. Excuse me. Are you Mr.
Yamada? We’re Santos and Cruz from the Philippines.
Yamada: Oh, thank goodness! I’m glad we were able to meet up. We were delayed by the traffic.
There was a big accident on our way to the airport. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.
suddenly: without warning. An unexpected surprise

wrong person: a different person, not the right person, not the person one is looking for
crowd: a large number of people
… seem to be …: appear to be… - “he doesn’t seem to be here.” = “I don’t think he is here”
thank goodness: “How lucky!” an expression of relief = Thank God.
We were delayed…: we were held up and therefore could not come on time…
traffic: cars on a highway or a road
I’m sorry to have kept you waiting: I’m sorry I kept you waiting. (a frequently used apology when
arriving late)
6. At Tokyo Station
(Transferring from the Yamanote Line to the Tokaido Shinkansen)

Cruz: I think this is the right way, but with all these people, I’m not sure! It must be rush hour
now. commuting always seems to be bad.
Santos: Let’s ask someone. (He stops a passerby.) Excuse me, is this the way to the Shinkansen?
Passerby: There are several Shinkansens. Which one are you looking for?
Santos: The Tokaido Shinkansen. We are going to Shin-Kobe.
Passerby: OK. Then go straight ahead, and you’ll see the ticket gates for the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Ask the station staff for more information.
Santos: Straight ahead? OK. Thank you very much.
Cruz: Let’s go.
(At the ticket gate)

Stat. staff: Ah, just put your tickets in the slot over here. This is an automatic gate.
Santos: Thank you. Which platform does the train leave from?
Stat. Staff: Platform 16.
Santos: Platform 16? Thank you.
Cruz: We should eat on the train. Let’s buy some food.
Santos: That’s a good idea. I’d like to have some typical Japanese food.
(At a stall nearby)

Cruz: “Makunouchi-bentou.” This looks like a Japanese packed lunch. I’ll have that.
Santos: OK. I’m going to try this one here.
transferring: changing trains – transfer = change over, move over

Shinkansen: Japanese bullet train, super-express train
Tokaido Shinkansen: the super-express trains serving mainly the Pacific coast of Japan’s mainland
commuting: traveling back and forth, i.e. to and from work
passerby: a bystander; person on the street
straight ahead: forward without turning
slot: long hole or groove
platform: waiting place for a train
typical: most common, representative
stall: small stand or shop
Makunouchi-bentou: Japanese-style boxed lunch with rice and assortment of cooked meats, fish,
and vegetables
7. At the Mizushima Port Service Boat Station
Santos: (To the female staff at the Service Boat Station) Excuse me. We want to board The
Persian Adventure. When does the service boat leave?
Staff: Marine No.1 leaves at 1 pm. She’s over there.
Santos: Thanks. By the way, has The Persian Adventure come into berth yet?
Staff: Well, she was supposed to be here at 12 o’clock, so I suppose she has. Look. You can see
her there.
Cruz: Oh, is it the one with the reddish funnel?
Staff: Yes, that’s the one.
Cruz: Do you know the schedule?
Staff: I heard that the ETD is the day after tomorrow, but I don’t know the details.
Santos: That’s way too short, isn’t it?
Staff: All specialized carriers do the same.
Cruz: I’d like to buy some snack. Is there a shop around here?
Staff: There is a convenience store further down the street. Go out here, turn left at the corner,
and then go straight for about 200 meters. You’ll find it on your right.
Cruz: Thank you.
Staff: Be sure not to miss the service boat.
Santos: Don’t worry. We still have 30 minutes until it leaves. Let’s go!
Mizushima: a port city in Okayama, located in southwestern Japan

service boat: water taxi
berth: mooring place, to moor (a ship/boat)
was supposed to …: should have been, is scheduled to be…
funnel: the chimney for a ship’s steamer
ETD(Estimated Time of Departure): the scheduled time when ship will leave port
details: the facts, detailed information
specialized carrier: type of ship, i.e. tanker, container ship, etc.
convenience store: a small corner store selling all kinds of goods which is open longer than most
other store – convenient: easy to use
on your right: on the right-hand side of a person
miss: fail to catch
8. Getting Lost
Santos: I thought it would be easy to find the shop, but I don’t see it anywhere.
Cruz: Gee, we must have lost our way. Maybe we turned at the wrong corner. Everything’s
written in Japanese with kanji everywhere! I can’t understand a thing.
Santos: We’ll have to turn back. Let’s go back to that corner.
Cruz: We don’t have enough time. Let’s ask someone.
Santos: Do they speak English? I’ve heard that ordinary Japanese people are not very good at
speaking English.
Cruz: Let’s ask that student. Excuse me, do you speak English?
Student: Yes, I’m studying English at school. Can I help you?
Cruz: Oh, great! We want to go to the convenience store nearby but we’re a little lost.
Student: There’s a Seven-Eleven store that way. Turn right over there. Go straight for about 100
meters. You’ll see some traffic lights. Turn left there, and you’ll find it.
Cruz: Thank you very much.
Student: You’re welcome. Are you seamen?
Cruz: Yes, we are. We’re boarding a tanker in Mizushima.
Student: It takes five minutes from the shop to the boat station. Will you know how to get there?
Cruz: Yes, we will. We just came from the station so we’ll be able to get back.
Student: That’s good. Take care of yourselves. Bon voyage!
Cruz: Hey, thank you very much.
must have lost our way…: got lost or went the wrong way, took the wrong way.
I can’t understand a thing…: I cannot (do not) understand anything
ordinary: plain, simple, or usual – extraordinary: special, unusual
nearby: close to - the station nearby: the station that is close
traffic lights: a set of lights used to control traffic. also called “traffic signs”
Take care of yourselves.: be safe, be OK, and look after yourselves. – “Take care of yourself.” when
addressing a single person
Bon voyage!: Have a nice trip! Have a safe journey!
9. At a Convenience Store
S. Clerk: May I help you?

Santos: Yes. I’d like to buy some cookies.
S. Clerk: They are on that shelf over there.
Santos: These are chocolate-flavored cookies. Excuse me, how much are these? I can’t see the
price.
S. Clerk: I’m sorry, but all the prices are bar-coded only. Those are 400 yen.
Santos: Thanks.
Cruz: Four-hundred yen is a bit expensive. Let’s look for cheaper ones. How about these? It
says “Potato Chips” on the packet. They’re only 230 yen.
Santos: It’s quite light for such a big packet but it looks good. OK, I’ll buy two of these.
Cruz: I’ll get two bags, too.
S. Clerk: Do you want to pay for these separately or together?
Santos: Together, please.
S. Clerk: That comes to 966 yen.
Cruz: Ah, isn’t it supposed to be 920 yen since they are 230 yen each?
S. Clerk: You need to add the 5% consumption tax, which comes to 46 yen.
Cruz: We have to pay tax on everything?
S. Clerk: I’m afraid so. Will that be all?
Cruz: Yes. Here’s a thousand yen.
S. Clerk: Thank you. Here’s your change: 34 yen.
Santos: Thank you. (They go out of the shop.) Wow! That young girl was looking after such a
big shop all by herself!
Cruz: I heard that Japanese people are pretty honest and there isn’t much shoplifting.
S. Clerk: sales clerk

chocolate-flavored: taste like chocolate
price: cost
bar-coded: price on package read by a computer scanner
a bit expensive: a little expensive, not cheap – a bit = a little
look for …: try to find
cheaper: cost less, priced lower
separately: one at a time, not together
consumption tax: 5% tax on things bought at stores (in Japan)
a thousand yen: 1,000 yen
change: money left after a purchase, money you get back after paying for something
shoplifting: stealing, taking something without paying, especially from a shop
10. In a Taxi
Cruz: We should get going. We don’t have much time left. Shall we take a taxi?
Santos: Yes. But can we catch one easily? Ah, here comes one now! flag it down! Oh, there’s
already a passenger in ti. That’s no good.
Cruz: Here comes another one! It’s stopping. The red lamp at the front seems to mean that it’s
free.
Santos: Wow! The door opens automatically! Japanese taxis are amazing!
(They get in the taxi)

Driver: Hell. Where to, sir?
Santos: To the Service Boat Station at Mizushima Port, please. How much will that be?
Driver: Mizushima Port, Service Boat Station. All right. The basic fare is 56 yen for the initial
two kilometers. There’s an additional charge of 80 yen per 200 meters. So it will cost
about 640 yen from here.
Cruz: Do you have the same taxi fares everywhere in Japan?
Driver: No. generally speaking, it costs more in urban areas than in rural areas.
Santos: Is it a difficult job?
Driver: Not really. It’s a good way to earn a living. Here we are at the Service Boat Station.
Santos: Oh, great! We’re back just in time.
Driver: Just a moment. I’ll pull over.
Santos: How much is it?
Driver: (Checking the meter) It’s 640 yen.
catch: take, take hold of…

flag it down. : hail or wave to taxi driver
free: not in use, available
automatically: by itself, without having to do anything
amazing: wonderful, great
initial: first
an additional charge: extra cost. additional –add (to increase)
Generally speaking,… : speaking in a general manner, without giving specifics; usually, regularly
urban area : city
rural area : country, farmland
earn a living : work, have a job to make money
just in time: in time, not late – I was just in time … (I was not late. I came on time)
Chapter 2. On Board a Tanker
11. Self-Introduction – The Captain’s Cabin
(After knocking at the door of the Captain’s cabin)

C/off: Captain, Third Mate Conrad Cruz and Third Engineer Manuel Santos are here, sir.
Capt: Come in. I’ve been expecting you.
C/off: Let’s go in. captain, I’d like to introduce you to Third Mate, Mr. Conrad Cruz and Third
Engineer, Mr. Manuel Santos.
Cruz: Nice to meet you, Captain. I’m Third Mate Conrad Cruz from Manila. I am 22 years old
and I am determined to do my best.
Santos: Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Third Engineer Manuel Santos. I’m also from Manila. I am 23
years old and I hope to do my best, too.
Capt: (Shaking hands) Nice to meet you both. I’m Captain Shimoda. Welcome aboard The
Perian Adventure. Please have a seat.
Cruz / Santos: Thank you, sir.
Capt: Is this your first time on a Japanese ship?
Cruz: Yes, it is, and I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been on such a large ship
Capt: Oh, don’t worry. Everyone is nervous the first time. Just watch your step and don’t get
into any trouble. I expect everyone to work hard, but if you don’t understand something,
just ask one of us. In Japan, we have a saying: “Asking for help is a momentary shame,
but never asking for help is a lifetime shame”. The worst situation is when you pretend
that you understand when you really don’t, and then you fail to do your work right.
Cruz/Santos: We’ll keep that in mind, sir.
C/off: chief officer

expect: wait for …., to look forward to something
… determined to do my best: will try hard to do the best I can
nervous: worried, uneasy
watch your step: be careful, look where you are going
get into trouble: have or cause problems
saying: proverb, adage, motto
momentary: short, brief, temporary
shame: disgrace, loss of honor
lifetime: for your whole life, until you die, throughout your life
pretend: act as if, make believe
fail: not succeed, be unable to accomplish something
12. The COC Room of the Tanker
2/off: Hi, you’re the Third Mate, Mr. Cruz, aren’t you? Welcome on board. I’m the Second
Mate and my name is Tanaka. Nice to have you with us.
Cruz: Nice to meet you. My name is Conrad Cruz. I’m 22 years old and I’m from Manila.
2/off: Is this your first time on a tanker?
Cruz: Yes, it is. I’ve been on 1 200,00-ton bulk carrier before, and I received tanker training in
the Philippines, which was mainly lectures. I also trained using a tanker simulator at one
of the Japanese shipping company’s training centers. It was quite helpful.
2/off: I did that simulator training, too. Training is different from the real job, but it’s quite
helpful. By the way, I’m from Hiroshima. I have a wife and three children. The eldest one
is 13. he is a junior high school student. My family comes to see me whenever my ship
arrives in Japan. They have already been to my cabin and made a big fuss.
Cruz: That’s great. I’m single and my parents live with my elder brothers. Both of my brothers
work for Japanese companies in the Philippines. There are a lot of differences in culture
and in social structure between Japan and the Philippines. I’m dying to learn about Japan.
2/off: That’s a great attitude Learning about each other’s culture helps us understand each other
better. That’s the first step towards having a pleasant and peaceful time on board.

COC: Cargo oil control
2/off: second officer, also called second mate (the rank that comes after first mate)
second mate: a friendly way of addressing the second officer
bulk carrier: large ship that carriers raw goods in its hold
simulator: machine for practice
shipping company: large company that owns and operates boats
Hiroshima: large port city in Western Japan
… made a big fuss: made a big issue about something
single: unmarried
elder brother(s): older brother(s)
difference(s): things that are not the same or similar
culture: arts, philosophies, products of any society
social structure: organization of a society
I’m dying to …: want to do something very much
attitude: way of thinking, behavior and manners
13. Self-Introduction on a Passage
Santos: (To a Japanese crewmember passing by) Hello! I’m Third Engineer, Manuel Santos. I just
came on board.
2/Eng: Hi. Nice to meet you. I’m Second Engineer, Suzuki. I was checking a pump so I couldn’t
come to the Engine Control Room when the Chief Engineer introduced you.
Santos: Boy, I was surprised by the size of the engine. It’s the first time that I’ve seen such a big
one!
2/Eng: This ship keeps us busy and she’s a good one to learn many different jobs on.
Santos: I’m sure I’ll learn a lot. The small number of crew also surprised me.
2/Eng: Well, it means that each crewmember takes on a lot of responsibility. I do hop you’ll
become familiar with the ship quickly, and do your job well. We all count on each other.
I’ll help you whenever there’s something that you don’t understand. Your hands, feet, and
body. You know, hands-on experience. That’s the way Japanese people work.
Santos: I see. I was told the same back home
2/Eng: It’s important to work hard. Doing a good job helps you gain confidence. Oh, by the way,
I should tell you more about myself. I’m 30 years old. I’m single and I come form
Yamaguchi. I like fishing. Pretty handy when you work on a boat, don’t you think?
Santos: Sure. I’m 23 years old and I come form Manila. I don’t have any hobby. I just like
reading.
crewmember: a member of a crew (all the people working on a boat, airplane, train, etc.)
2/eng: second engineer
Chief Engineer: the highest-ranking engineer on a ship
responsibility: duty, work a person has to do
become familiar with… : to come to know something well
count on: depend on, rely on, expect somebody else’s help
instruction book(s): a book that shows or teaches things, procedures, etc.
hesitate: be slow to act, speak or decide, for example, as a sign of uncertainty
hands-on experience: learning by doing or through active participation
confidence: trust, feeling sure, feeling of assurance
handy: convenient, easy to use or apply
14. Being Taken to a Cabin
2/off: OK, I’ll take you up to your cabin. Just follow me. We are on D-Deck now. your cabin is
on B-Deck, two floors above. Let’s take the elevator.
Cruz: Is the elevator in service all the time?
2/off: Except during an emergency. And you should always use good manners. Shut the door
quietly but trimly, that sort of thing. Here we are. This is your cabin.
Cruz: Thank you.
2/off: The next cabin is the Chief Mate’s. and the first Engineer, Second Engineer, and Third
Engineer’ cabins are also on this floor.
Cruz: Is the Chief Engineer on the same deck as the Captain?
2/off: That’s right. There’s a water fountain over there for when you are thirsty. Next to it is the
laundry room. There are two washing machines. One is for underwear and slightly dirty
clothes. The other is for heavily-stained clothing such as oily coveralls. Please tell the Chief
Officer if they go out of order.
Cruz: OK. By the way, your English is very good.
2/off: Thank you. I’m very glad to hear that. I often read English newspapers and try to brush up
on my English all the time. Here, why don’t you settle down in your cabin?
Cruz: Thank you.
in service: working, in operation

emergency: a sudden, urgent development of a serious matter
First Engineer: a ship’s crew in charge of the engines
water fountain: a device for supplying fresh drinking water
washing machine(s): a machine which washes clothes automatically
underwear: undergarment, clothes worn directly on a person’s body
heavily-stained: badly soiled, very dirty
coverall(s): loose, one-piece garment worn by workmen (to protect clothes)
out of order: not working, broken
brush up: to improve, to polish up
settle down: to live in an ordinary way, to feel relaxed, to become less nervous
15. Getting to Know the Ship – The Bridge
Cruz: The eye altitude on the VLCC seems very high. How high is it?
2/off: It is 26 meters when fully loaded and 37 meters at ballast level. The ship is now half loaded
so it is about 32 meters.
Cruz: The steering stand looks like a car’s steering wheel. It doesn’t look like a ship’s wheel at all.
This is the engine control panel. This must be the engine telegraph. And this is the telephone
that connects you to the Engine Room, isn’t it?
2/off: Yes, it is. All you have to do is pick up the receiver and speak. The rest are all meters related
to the engine. This is the Doppler Sonar. It’s more accurate than the electric-magnetic log. It
is especially helpful when coming into berth.
Cruz: Oh, this is the radar, and it hs ARPA!
2/off: ARPA is very useful. Make sure to remember that using your own eyes is essential. You
should never rely solely on the radar. Don’t depend on the radar picture for information.
Always confirm with the naked eye, even if visibility is bad.
Cruz: Yes, I understand.
2/off: The ship is equipped with an electrical charting system. It shows the position of the ship by
receiving signals from the GPS. But observing the position with your own eyes, especially
for cross bearing, is one of the basics for a deck officer.
Cruz: I will learn cross bearing properly. Is this the GMDSS?
2/off: Yes, I’ll tell you about it later.
eye altitude: eye level (altitude = height, distance from sea level)
VLCC: Very Large Crude Carrier
fully loaded: a ship’s holds are filled to capacity
ballast: a heavy material (usu. Seawater) placed in a ship’s tank for greater stability – at ballast level
(sailing with no cargo)
steering wheel: a wheel used for steering, such as a rudder
telegraph: a communication system over directly connected wires
receiver: a part of a telephone, television, etc. which receives incoming signals
Doppler Sonar: a sonar working on the Doppler principle which is used to measure a ship’s speed
electric-magnetic log: a ship’s speed measuring mechanism operating on an electromagnetic system
ARPA: Automatic Radar Plotting Aids
naked eye: unaided eye, seeing things with one’s own eyes
visibility: the distance that can be seen without using instruments
electrical charting system: electrical display of navigational charts
GPS: Global Position Satellite System
cross bearing: a method of finding out a ship’s location
GMDSS: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
16. Getting to Know the Ship – Communication Facilities
Santos: Excuse me. May I come in?

Capt: Sure. Come in.
Santos: I brought my passport, my mariner’s license, and my seamen’s book.
Capt: Thank you. The expiration date of your passport is in 2010, so you have ten more years.
Is this seamen’s license Filipino? This ship’s Panamanian, so we need a Panamanian
license. Do you have one?
Santos: Yes, I do, but I left it in my cabin.
Capt: I need to see it. Will you bring the license and the seamen’s book later, please? Do you
have vaccination certificates?
Santos: I have a cholera certificate. I’ll bring it later, too.
Capt: Oh, we don’t need the cholera certificate. Do you have a yellow fever certificate?
Santos: No, I don’t.
Capt: That’s not good. You won’t need it for this voyage, but you might need it for the next one.
You should get your yellow-fever vaccination done next time you are in Japan. It is too
late to get it now.
Santos: I’m sorry. I wasn’t told about it. By the way, the radio equipment seems completely
different.
Capt: It was changed when we started using the GMDSS.
Santos: So all information is exchanged with the GMDSS?
Capt: Yes, you can say that. Most messages sent between the ship and headquarters are done by
INMARSAT. In the waters around Japan, we use the coastal telephone system, which
covers a wide area since it also recently started using the satellite system. Another
communications system we use is the VHF telephone for contacting pilots and other
vessels. You can use INMARSAT for private telephone calls, too.
mariner’s license: a license issued to seamen

expiration: coming to a close or end or termination
Filipino: of or native of the Philippines
Panamanian: of or native of Panama
vaccination: immunization using vaccines
certificate: a paper proving or certifying something
cholera: an acute infection with watery diarrhea, vomiting, cramps (often fatal)
yellow fever: an acute disease transmitted by mosquitoes, characterized by the body turning yellow
(jaundice)
headquarters: main office, head office
INMARSAT: International Maritime Satellite
satellite: man-made flying object on the Earth’s orbit serving various purposes
17. Getting to Know the Ship – A Cabin
Cruz: This is quite a big room, with a big window, a shower and a toilet.
2/off: The ship’s accommodations were built by the Japanese ship owners. They used to be much
less attractive than the accommodations on European ships. Conditions have improved
lately, though.
Cruz: Is this telephone used only on board?
2/off: Yes, it is. It’s mostly used by the Quartermaster to call you 15 minutes before your watch.
There is a coastal telephone system at the Bridge and in the General Office. It covers the
Japanese coastal area and also the Bashi Channel area. We use it to communicate with the
head office.
Cruz: Can I drink the water from the tap?
2/off: No, you shouldn’t. it’s only for washing and rinsing. We call it “fresh water.” It is distilled
seawater that comes from an evaporator in the Engine Room. It may contain unwanted
bacteria. You should drink the water only from the water fountains.
Cruz: Do I have to clean my cabin myself?
2/off: Basically, yes. But the Mess Boy sweeps the ship once a week. He also changes the bed
sheets every two weeds.
Cruz: The word “antenna” is written on this box by the wall. What is this antenna for?
2/off: This is a radio antenna. When you connect your radio to it, you can hear short-wave
broadcast in your cabin. Take a single electrical wire and wind it 10 to 20 times into a coil
with a diameter of about 10 cm. Then connect one end of the coil to this antenna terminal
and the other to the ground terminal. Put the coil close to the radio. You can hear
short-wave clearly that way.
accommodation(s): living quarters, living areas

ship owner(s): people or companies which own a ship
less attractive: not favorable, not likeable, not appealing
Conditions have improved…: conditions have become better…
quartermaster: a crew to take her steering
Bashi Channel: a channel found between Taiwan and the Philippines
tap: faucet (tap water = water running from a faucet)
distilled: obtaining a liquid by condensing vapor
evaporator: a machine used to heat and make vapor of a liquid
unwanted bacteria: harmful microorganisms which may cause illnesses
short-wave broadcast: radio broadcasts sent via waves of short wave lengths
diameter: a straight line passing through the center of a circle
18. Getting to Know the Ship – The Dining Hall
C. Stew: Here’s the Third Mate table, and there is the Third Engineer’s table.
Cruz: Thank you. Breakfast is served at seven o’clock, lunch at twelve o’clock, and dinner’s
served at five-thirty?
C. Stew: That’s right. But the Third Mate’s dinner is served at five o’clock because you have to
relieve the Chief Mate when he eats dinner. It is a self-serve dining room, so make sure
that you return your dirty dishes to the basin in the galley after you finish your meal.
Cruz: I will. What kind of food do you serve here?
C. Stew: Mainly Japanese food for the Japanese, and Filipino food for the Filipinos. But
sometimes, we serve the same meal for everyone, such as when we have steak. Can you
eat Japanese sashimi or sushi?
Cruz: No problem. I like sukiyaki I’m interested in Japanese food, so I cut some Japanese
recipes out of a newspaper and brought them with me.
C. Stew: That’s good! I’ll prepare something special for you someday. I think that we will serve
sukiyaki for the welcome party after we’re off at sea.
Cruz: That’s splendid! Will we be able to drink beer?
C. Stew: We have a company policy about alcohol. You can drink, but there’s a limit. In any case,
just enjoy yourself and don’t get drunk.
C. Stew: Chief steward

is served: (meals are) offered or presented
relieve: to release a person from duty
galley: the kitchen of a ship or an airplane
sashimi: a typical Japanese dish of sliced fresh, raw fish
sushi: a typical Japanese dish of sliced raw fish placed on balls of seasoned rice
sukiyaki: a typical Japanese dish cooked with sliced beef and vegetable
recipe(s): a list of ingredients and procedures for preparing food, medicine. Etc.
off at sea: sailing in high waters not moored in a port
drunk: physical and mental weakness caused by taking too much alcohol

19. Getting to Know the Ship – The Upper Deck
C/off: Let me show you the deck. Be sure to wear your helmet whenever you work on deck.
There’s one that has “THIRD OFFICER” written on it.
Cruz: Oh, I found it.
C/off: We must go up one floor above the Upper Deck to D-Deck. The entrance used should be
the one opposite this one. Exit from the starboard side. Both doors on the Upper Deck
should be shut firmly like this. Don’t use this door unless there’s an emergency.
Cruz: Is this the Deck Seal Tank of the Inert Gas System?
C/off: Inert gas is sent to this deck seal tank through that big pipe after it is generated by the Inert
Fan Room on top of the Engine Room. From here, it provides inert gas to each tank through
the deck pipeline. The Deck Seal Tank is the most basic safety device. Seawater is
continuously supplied from the Engine Room.
Cruz: Is it sent through a special pump:
C/off: It’s sent through the GS pump, the fire pump, and any other specialized deck seal seawater
pump. If one pump breaks down, another one takes its place
Cruz: This mooring winch looks like it’s hydraulically operated.
C/off: Yes, there’s one hydraulic pump in the Steering Engine Room for the aft winch. Another is
in the Center Store for the mid-ship winch, and the third one is in the Bosun Store for the
fore winch. Inform the Engine Room before you turn them on or off.
Cruz: Are these the main pipelines: No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, the inert line, and the COW line?
C/off: The pipelines are color-coded for easy identification. This is a small line. This is a bunker
line. This is a fire line. This is a foam line for the fire line.
opposite: the other side, the side facing you

starboard side: the right-hand side of a ship or aircraft
Deck Seal Tank: a tank used for collecting inert gas to seal off the deck in case of fire
Inert Gas System: a system of a network of pipelines for supplying inert gas
safety device: equipment used to enhance safety
GS pump (general service pump): a pump used for general purposes, such as supplying fresh water
mooring winch: a winch used for taking up a rope or chain used for mooring a ship
hydraulically operated: something working by means of a fluid under pressure
aft: toward the rear of a ship
identification: a proof of a person’s identity
bunker line: a pipeline used to supply fuel to a ship’s bunker, or a fuel storage

20. Getting to Know the Ship – The Poop Deck
2/off: I stand on the Poop Deck when berthing except when berthing SBM or anchoring. You
have to let me know whenever we do a trial run of the engine. We do it every time we leave
port. I then check if aft is normal, and then I check for fishing boats or small boats or if the
crew has left any fishing tackle outboard. As for the accommodation ladder, we heave it up a
little when the ship moves. After that, we do an engine test by contacting the Engine Room.
Santos: I see. How about checking the steering gears?
2/off: We do it before or after the engine test. You should do it after I enter the Steering Engine
Room. I check the movement of the rudder and see if the hydraulic system works well.
Cruz: Communication between us is done only by transceiver?
2/off: Basically yes, but we can also use the one in the Steering Engine Room.
Cruz: What’s this wire?
2/off: It is a fire wire. A tugboat uses this wire to pull the ship from the berth when she can’t
move on her own, or in case of a fire during cargo loading and unloading. Regulations about
setting this wire in port are very strict, so you have to follow the rules. This should be set
whenever the ship enters the Maritime Traffic Safety Law areas in Japan.
Cruz: Is the Emergency Fire Pump Room under this deck?
2/off: Yes, it is. It’s just as described on the side of this door. It’s under the Steering Room. Ask
one of the engineers how to operate it later.
Poop Deck: a partial deck on the stern superstructure of a ship

SBM(single buoy for mooring): a method of mooring a ship
anchoring: preventing a ship’s free movement with a heavy object cast overboard
trial run: a test run
fishing tackle: fishing gear
accommodation ladder: a ladder used to help people board a ship
rudder: a plate secured to the stern of a ship used to direct its course
hydraulic system: a mechanical system which is powered by pressurized liquid
transceiver: a portable transmitter and receiver in one unit
Maritime Traffic safety Law: a set of rules for navigating specified traffic routes in Japan
as described…: as specified, as stated, as written in…

21. Getting to Know the Ship – The Engine Room
1/eng: Here’s your new workplace, The Persian Adventure’s Engine Room.
Santos: Oh, the engine is huge! The room is bigger, brighter, and quieter than I thought.
1/eng: It isn’t very noisy at port, but it become quite noisy at sea. So be sure to wear
earplugs when you work in here. It is important to keep the lighting equipment well
maintained for safety reasons. Since you are in charge of electricity ,you are also
responsible for the safety of the workplace.
Santos: My job seems challenging and I’m excited. By the way, did you change the main
Engine fuel oil from heavy fuel oil to diesel oil before entering port?
1/eng: We used to do that, but FO valves have improved recently. We can now use heavy
fuel oil even while in port. Remember to always keep the FO pump working.
Santos: Where are the cargo pumps? I don’t see them.
1/eng: For safety reasons, they are in the Pump Room in another section. All lights in the Pump
Room are gas tight.
Santos: How do you switch pumps?
1/eng: We use the No. 1 Group when outbound, and the No. 2 Group when inbound. We switch
pumps while warming up the engine before we leave port.
Santos: Do the two diesel generators run the same way?
1/eng: The Second Engineer, who is in charge of the diesel generators. Adjusts their operating
times according to his work plan.
Santos: Does the maintenance plan apply to the main engine and to all of the important auxiliary
machines such as the generators, the air compressors, and the boilers?
1/eng: You got it! Proper maintenance is essential for safe and economical navigation.
1/eng: first engineer

workplace: a place where a person works
earplug(s): a set of plugs inserted in the ear to cut off noise
well maintained: well taken care of…
for safety reasons: to enhance safety, to avoid danger
challenging: difficult
heavy fuel oil: a grade of fuel oil used to power a vehicle
FO valves: fuel oil valve
FO pump: fuel oil pump
gas-tight: equipped with a mechanism for shutting off gas
diesel generator(s): a power generator powered by diesel oil
economical navigation: sailing at low cost
22. Getting to Know the Ship – The Engine Control Room

1/eng: Let me briefly show you the Control Room equipment. This ship is a so-called M0 ship.
The main engine can be operated from three places: the Bridge, here in the Control Room,
and locally.
Santos: What situations require the main engine to be operated from the Bridge or locally?
1/eng: We usually operate the main engine from the Bridge while at sea. We have to operate
locally when the remote-control system breaks down. But special skills are required for
that. We check and practice local operation before entering and leaving port. Will you be
training soon?
Santos: Yes, but I’m not sure about the schedule.
1/eng: The main engine is a Hitachi B&W 8S80MCE. Its CSO is 18,071 kilowatts at 69.7 RPMs.
The diameter of the cylinders is 800 mm, and the piston stroke is 2,592 mm.
Santos: That’s huge! A cylinder is big enough for an adult to work inside it.
1/eng: Exactly. We can go and see a cylinder when we are changing an exhaust valve.
Santos: I’ll look forward to that.
1/eng: The main engine and most auxiliary machines are operated and turned on and off here in
the Control Room. We can check their condition, too.
Santos: Do you mean that no one needs to stay in the Engine Room?
1/eng: Not exactly. As I said before, we use the M0 system so we don’t need to check it while at
sea. All of the Engine Room crewmembers engage in maintenance work. An engineer and
an oiler assigned to an M0 watch have to check and maintain the main engine and the
equipment in the Engine Room. Whenever the M0 alarm rings, they have to respond to it.
briefly: using just a few words, shortly

M0: man in machinery space zero
remote-control system: a way of controlling the operation of equipment from a faraway location
practice: to do as a habit
CSO: continuous service output(连续输出功率)
RPM(revolution per minute): a unit indicating the rotating speed of a turning object
diameter: the straight line passing through the center of a circle
cylinder: a chamber housing a reciprocating piston
piston stroke: a single movement of a piston
exhaust valve: a valve through which exhaust gas or liquid is discharged
auxiliary: subsidiary, supplementary, being related to
assigned to … : given the task of doing something
23. Getting to Know the Ship – The Galley
Santos: Is it OK if I put the dirty dishes here?

C. stew: Sure. How was your meal?
Santos: It was very tasty. I really liked the juicy steak and the big lobster. How much are your
food expenses for us all?
C. stew: They are now 1,500 yen a day per person. This is in accordance with the contract
between the shipping companies and the All Japan Seamen’s Union. This budget allows
us to buy good food that is supplied in Singapore.
Santos: Do we stop in Singapore?
C. stew: No, we don’t. we get the food from Singapore from a supply boat. It comes on several
slings, and unloading it is hard work. Will you help us next time because we need all the
arms we can find?
Santos: I will. By the way, may I use the refrigerator in the galley?
C. stew: No problem. You have to write your name on your food, and make sure to keep the
refrigerator clean. You may also use the microwave oven.
Santos: I usually have snacks during the night navigation watches, so I brought cup-of-noodle
soups along. Can I boil water in the microwave oven?
C. stew: No, you shouldn’t use the microwave for that. You can use the water boiler in the galley.
After you finish eating, remember to rinse the container before disposing of it.
expense(s): the amount of money spent

in accordance with … : conforming to … following…
budget: a pre-set amount of money one can use
sling(s): looped ropes or straps used for lifting something
microwave oven: an oven which use microwaves to cook food
night navigation watch(es): a night duty usu, on the Bridge and Engine Control Room
container: a can, bag, or box, etc. which can hold things inside
disposing of … : throwing away, getting rid of
24. Getting to Know the Ship – The Toilet
2/off: Let me show you the toilet.

Cruz: Are there common toilets only in front of the COC?
2/off: No. there are some in front of the workers’ room on the Upper Deck, and others in the
crew quarters on C-Deck. The deck crew does the cleaning, but we must also make an effort
to keep them clean.
Cruz: Is the flush water seawater?
2/off: Yes, it is provided by the GS pump in the Engine Room. You must immediately report any
problem to the Chief Officer, for example, if the toilet clogs up or if the water doesn’t stop
running. That way repairs can be done quickly. We are all responsible for the maintenance of
the ship.
Cruz: Yes, sir. What should I do if I flush and water doesn’t come out?
2/off: In that case, you can wash up using tap water by connecting the hose to the fresh water
faucet. If that doesn’t work, use the bucket to pour water in the toilet. It usually works that
way.
Cruz: I hope it never happens to me.
2/off: This ship is OK. When you are on an old ship, there are many problems with pipes and
filters getting clogged, and it makes flushing difficult, it not impossible.
Cruz: I heard that the toilet paper is stored in the Deck Store. When may I take some?
2/off: There are rolls in that locker. When they run out, ask the Assistant Officer for more. You
may take some to your cabin, too.
COC: Crude Oil Control

crew quarter(s): living areas spaces for members of the crew
make and effort to … : try to do something
flush: to wash away with water as in flush toilet
immediately: right away, promptly
clogs up: obstruct the movement of something
faucet: tap, a device for regulating the flow of liquid, such as water
impossible: not possible, something that cannot be done
run out: to completely use up and have nothing more left
25. Getting to Know the Ship – The Chamber
C. stew: Here are the goods that you ordered. Please take the ones with your name or rank writhen
on them.
Cruz: These are mine. Three cartons of cigarettes and three cases of cola.
Santos: These three cases of juice and the case of cup-of-noodles are mine. Do you always
deliver the goods after leaving port?
C. stew: Sure. I usually take orders before entering port, and then I send them by telex to a ship
chandler. The ship advances the payments, and then we withdraw what you owe from
your salary.
Santos: Can we buy anything?
C. stew: In general, yes. Groceries, cigarettes, and soap are the most common items. You can also
buy electrical appliances if you don’t mind paying high prices.
Cruz: I did not order any this time. But next time, can I buy fresh foods such as milk, eggs, or
vegetables?
C. stew: Sure. You can make special orders. But we serve such food almost everyday. We keep
them in the Chamber, so you can ask the steward to give you some, and you can store
them for a few days in the refrigerator.
Santos: Is the Chamber partitioned?
C. stew: Yes, it’s partitioned into four rooms. You have the Lobby, the meat section, the Fish
section, and the vegetable section.
goods: products, merchandise

deliver: to bring to a destination
ship chandler: a retailed dealer of goods and equipment, especially supplying ships
withdraw: to take out (take out money in this case)
owe: money being borrowed from someone
groceries: foodstuff, household supplies
electrical appliance(s): a device which is powered by electricity
partitioned: divided into different sections
26. Getting to Know the Ship – The Deck Tool Store
A/off: First, here is the Carpenter’s Shop. Tools for the deck are stowed here and in the Deck
Tool Store. We keep the small tools, the screw drivers, the wrenches, the Japanese
carpenter tools, and the special purpose maintenance tools in this area.
Cruz: Do you repair the pneumatic motor for the accommodation ladder here?
A/off: Yes, we do. The digital gauge used to observe the ullage of the cargo is stowed and
overhauled here, too. As you might know, you must return each tool to its original place.
Cruz: The tools are stored very neatly.
A/off: Here’s the Deck Tool Store. Large tools are stowed here, you know, the chipping tools and
the hoses. We also have the shock spanners used for loosening or tightening the
cargo-valve bolts, claw bars, chain hoists and grease pumps.
Cruz: Do you also have the Paint Store and the Consumable Goods Store?
A/off: Yes. I keep the key to the Consumable Goods Store. You will get working gloves every
month. The Paint Store is outside.
Cruz: (Out in the Paint Store) Here it is. There seems to be various kinds of paint.
A/off: Most of it is deck paint called Denatured-tar Epoxy. You mix the base with the hardener.
Make sure to clean the brushes after you use them. Rinse them in thinner and then soak
them in water. If you don’t do this, the brushes will be ruined, and we’ll have to throw
them away.
A/off: Assistant Officer

carpenter’s shop: workshop where carpentry is done
Deck tool store: tool storage located on the deck
screwdriver(s): a tool used for turning screws
wrench(es): a hand tool with adjustable jaws for gripping things
special purpose maintenance tool(s): tools used to carry out special maintenance(repair) work
pneumatic: working with air pressure
ullage: amount of liquid in a cask or barrel or oil tanker
overhauled: opened up to clean the inside of something
chipping tool(s): a tool used to remove things
claw bar(s): iron bar with a bent and forked end
consumable goods: materials that can be used up
working gloves: heavy cotton gloves used for handwork
Denatured-tar epoxy: thermosetting resin of a changed quality
hardener: a substance used to make other things solid or harden up
thinner: a liquid used to dilute paint, etc.(turpentine)
soak: to dip in a liquid such as water
27. Getting to Know the Ship – The Engine Store
2/eng: Here is the Consumable Goods Store. Whenever you take something out, you should
write down the date, the name and number of the article, and your name in this notebook.
The First Engineer has the key to this room.
Santos: You mean this notebook hanging on the wall? There are so many articles. How can I
remember each one?
2/eng: Consumable goods are separated into three departments: the Deck, the Engine, and the
purser. The Spare Parts Store is in the Engine Room. Let’s go down there now so I can
show you.
Santos: Are the spare parts of all the machines stowed in the Spare Parts Store?
2/eng: Not all, but most of them. For example, the spare parts for the conditioning refrigerator
plant or for the provision refrigerator plant are stowed near them, and some parts for the
main engine are in the workshop.
Santo: Hmm, supplying seems rather hard work. How do you manage that?
2/eng: To control the supply properly, we must note the date and the number of the part in the
spare parts list in the Engine Control Room. We have been thinking of introducing a
system to enter all of the data into a computer. It would control the spare parts inventory
on the ship or on shore.
purser: officer in charge of money matters

spare part(s): extra components
conditioning refrigerator plant: cooling unit to air condition rooms
provision refrigerator plant: cooling unit to chill foodstuffs
inventory: a record of things a person (or a ship) has
28. Conversation During a Meal
Santos: I feel better now that we’ve left port.

Cruz: Well, we sure have a lot to learn from now on. Everyone on board is kind and willing to
help when we ask them. It’s tough work but well worth doing.
Santos: It sure is . I an really determined to work hard.
C. stew: Hi! Have you learned the ways with the ship yet?
Cruz: Yes, thank you for your help. The food’s delicious, and we’ll manage with our new jobs.
By the way, where are you from?
C. stew: I’m from Nagasaki. Many seamen come from there. But over the last two decades, the
number of seamen there has dropped, and there aren’t any more young seamen.
Santos: I’m sorry to hear that. Isn’t Nagasaki the place where the Americans dropped an atomic
bomb during World War II?
C. stew: Yes, it is, but that happed long before I was born.
Cruz: Tell me more about Nagasaki.
C. stew: The city has an interesting history. During the Tokugawa Era, it was the only port open to
foreign trade. Dutch sailors and traders used to come here.
Santos: Oh, I’ve heard about some exotic mansion in the city.
C. stew: That’s the Glover Mansion. Holland Slope is also famous. There is a Dutch-style theme
park nearby.
Cruz: I’d love to go there.
willing to …: be ready to do something

well worth doing …: important enough to spend the time and energy
delicious: tasty, yummy, good to eat
Nagasaki: a port city located in the western part of Kyushu
two decade(s): 20 years
atomic bomb: a bomb with destructive power from the release of nuclear energy
World War II: second world war
Tokugawa era: the time of the longest military government in Japan, ruled by Tokugawa shoguns
foreign trade: exchanging of goods with a foreign country
Dutch: of or the people of Holland
exotic: foreign, strange, and attractive
mansion: a large house
Glover mansion: old mansion of the glover family in Nagasaki, known for the beautiful gardens and
as a model for the opera Madame Butterfly
Holland slope: a famous tourist spot in Nagasaki
theme park: an amusement park laid out with a special plan
29. Welcome Party
C/off: Everyone, we’re hosting a welcome party for the new members on board. First, I would
like to ask Captain Shimoda for a welcome address on behalf of the crew.
Captain: Gentlemen, let me say a few words to welcome you aboard The Persian Adventure. This
ship sails between Japan and the Persian Gulf. Loading ports for this voyage are Ras
Tanura in Saudi Arabia and Kharg Island in Iran. Our ETA is May 30th. It will take a total
of six days to load the cargo in the Persian Gulf, so the arrival date at Kawasaki, the
discharging port, will be around June 23rd. we can expect moderate weather throughout
the voyage. However, we might have poor visibility due to rain or monsoons in the Indian
Ocean. Safe navigation is most important. Also keep yourselves in good health. The
steward crew has prepared a wonderful dinner, so have fun and enjoy the party. Thank
you. (applause)
C/off: Thank you very much, Captain. Now, we will ask our Chief Engineer to make a toast.
Does everyone have a glass?
C/eng: Gentlemen, welcome to the great and beautiful VLCC, The Persian Adventure! I’m Chief
Engineer Sato. First, I’d like to turn your attention to the gorgeous sunset outside. How
lucky we are! I would like to make a toast to our health, our families, and to the safe
navigation of this ship. Cheers!
All: Cheers! (Applause)
C/off: thank you very much. Enjoy the feast before you: sukiyaki, sashimi, and much more. Later
on, we will have karaoke. Everyone is welcome, even the ones who can’t carry a tune!
hosting a welcome party: to hold a party (a merry gathering)

address: to speak to, make a formal speech
on behalf of …: on the part of, representing someone else
Persian Gulf: a body of water in the Arabian Sea between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran
Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia: port city of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf
Kharg Island in Iran: islands located off the southwestern coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf
ETA: estimated time of arrival
discharging port: a port where the cargo is unloaded
moderate weather: mild and favorable weather
monsoons: seasonal strong winds and heavy rain
Indian ocean: large body of water stretching from Asia to Australia and A`frica
make a toast: raise a glass and drink to honor something
Cheers!: interjection used when making a toast
feast: large specially prepared meal usually to celebrate something
can’t carry a tune: be a poor singer, cannot sing well
30. The Gymnasium
Santos: The party last night was great fun. The Chief Officer really poured his heart out when he
sang My Way.
Cruz: Yeah, but it’s bad for our health to eat so much. We have to stay in shape and exercise
regularly.
2/Off: Hey, did you say you would be exercising?
Cruz: I sure did. We want to sweat it out a bit. What kind of exercise do you do, Second
Officer?
2/Off: I always lift weights and do push-ups, and then I run around the deck three times. I’m
starting to get flabby. What kind of sports is popular in your country?
Santos: We used to swim, bowl, and box at school. But there are few facilities, so we can’t
always enjoy sports. How about in Japan? I know that many sports are very popular there.
2/Off: As far as children are concerned, the most popular sports are baseball, basketball, and
recently, soccer. And there are many schools that specialize in all kinds of sports, from
swimming to Japanese fencing. Parents encourage their kids to take part in sports. At
traditional festival, we have children’s sumo tournaments at shrines. As for professional
sports, sumo is the national sport, but we also enjoy baseball, football, and golf.
Cruz: I have watched Japanese sumo tournaments on TV. Foreign sumo wrestlers seem to be
doing well recently.
2/Off: Oh, yes. Some sumo wrestlers come from Hawaii. OK. I will go for a jog now. You
should wear good jogging shoes so that you won’t hurt your knees.
poured his heart out: showed his emotion or feeling

stay in shape: not to put on weight, to stay slim
exercise regularly: to engage in sport or exercise on a regular basis
sweat it out: to exercise until sweat comes out
lift weights: pick up and raise heavy items in an effort to build muscles
flabby: loose, lacking force or stamina
few facilities: there are not many facilities
As far as children are concerned… : talking about children
specialize in: to become particularly good at
sumo tournaments: a tournament of a traditional sport of Japan
go for a jog: go to run lightly
31. The Recreation Room
Santos: Let’s go watch a video.

Cruz: That’s good idea since we can’t watch TV in here. What kind of videos do they have?
Santos: There are quite a few American movies and many Japanese movies. But we don’t
understand Japanese.
Cruz: American movies are fun. Let’s watch light, entertaining ones rather than serious
movies.
Santos: How about “Back to the future”? It’s about a young boy’s adventure. He travels in time
into the past and the future.
Cruz: This one here is pretty good. It’s “Home Alone”. It’s about a little boy who outwits
thieves.
2/Eng: Hi. Will you be watching a video? May I join you?
Santos: Sure. Come right in. We were trying to decide what to watch.
2/Eng: There are many good Japanese videos. The best one is “Otoko wa Tsuraiyo”. You can
translate that as “Men Have It Hard.”
Cruz: What’s it about?
2/Eng: The main character is a man who was born in an old part of Tokyo. He seems to be a
good-for-nothing man. He has no money, but he has a good, caring heart. He always
tries to help people, especially “ladies in distress.” The movie includes many rural
scenes, and it depicts the lives of country people.
Santos: I wish there were an English version.
2/Eng: Most of Tora-san’s language is hard to put into English.
Santos: You have such a large video collection here. Did someone copy the movies?
2/Eng: Of course not! That would be against the Copyright Law. Our company gives us a
small budget for entertainment, so we use that money to buy some of the most popular
videos.
entertaining: amusing, enjoyable

serious: grave, in earnest
adventure: exciting experience often filled with danger
outwits: to be smarter than the other
thieves: people who steal other people’s possessions
good-for-nothing: not useful
ladies in distress: women who are in trouble and needing help
depicts: show something using graphic images or words
Copyright Law: a law that protects the legal rights of the originator
Chapter 3. Safety Training on Board
32. Safety Training – On Deck
A/off: OK. Now you must wear a safety helmet and safety shoes.
Avarro: But the safety helmet makes me hot, and the safety shoes are too heavy. I think that we
can still work safety with lighter fittings.
A/off: I know it’s more comfortable with lighter gear, but don’t forget it can be pretty dangerous
working here. For example, you might slip while painting and hit you head on the
pipeline. Or the radio antenna may break and fall on the deck. These accidents have
happened before. We never know what may happen.
Ramos: I think we should always wear protective gear. When we are performing emergency tasks,
we won’t have time to get our safety helmets or shoes in an emergency. I’d rather be
always ready for an emergency.
A/off: That’s good thinking. We don’t have to worry about accidents all of the time, but if you
wear safety gear, you will be more prepared if an accident happens. If you aren’t dressed
properly, it might slow down your work.
Avarro: I understand. Somebody told me that we should never run on deck.
Ramos: Yes. You see, you could slip and fall or you could trip on a rope, resulting in serious
injuries. Be careful especially on the deck, which is covered with denatured epoxy paint.
That paint becomes wet and slippery when it is humid. The hawse could also break, and
that could be dangerous for the crew. So be careful when you are on stand-by.
A/off: Also, be careful when you see a running rope. It could snap and whip you.
lighter gear: light clothing or equipment

dangerous: risky, hazardous, something that may injure a person
protective gear: clothing or equipment that will protect a person
performing emergency tasks: doing operations in sudden, potentially dangerous situations
prepared: be ready for
serious injuries: grave damage inflicted op people
humid: moist, wet, said of the air containing large amounts of moisture
hawser: cable or rope used for mooring a ship
whip: to strike or lash
33. On the Deck of a Bulk Carrier in Port
A/off: Wait! Don’t pass by there! There’s a safety rope there, and you might stumble there. Walk
on the other side, on the port side.
Avarro: But going by the starboard side is faster.
A/off: You’re right, but it’s more dangerous walking on the starboard side. Lumps of ore could
fall through a gap in the grab. You’d be seriously injured if a lump hits you. It could even
kill you. Even when the grab is still on shore, it’s hard to walk on the deck because it gets
covered with ore.
Avarro: I see. I’ll be sure to walk on the port side. I have to remember that there are many
dangerous things on board.
A/off: You may not believe it, but there was an accident like that on a container ship just recently.
A lashing worker from the shore fell from the top of the bulwark. And he was very
experienced. The wire in his hand swung him around, and he lost his balance. He was
taken to the hospital by ambulance, but the accident nearly cost him his life. He fell on the
wharf right by the gangway that the crew uses to go on shore. Fortunately, no one was
there when he fell. Another time a hatch cover dropped from a gantry crane onto the
wharf while it was being transferred from a container ship. They were lucky that nobody
was injured in that accident, either.
Avarro: Which means I must always pay attention to what’s under and over me!
stumble: to walk unsteadily, almost falling or missing a step

port side: the left side of a ship when facing the front or bow
grab: to grasp or get hold of, a device for picking up something
lashing worker: a workman in charge of lashing (tying) things down
bulwark: wall, raised structure, rampart
ambulance: emergency vehicle used to carry sick or injured people to a hospital
… nearly cost him his life: he was nearly killed
gangway: a narrow passage
gantry crane: a crane mounted on a sturdy support
container ship: ship specialized in carrying containers from port to port
34. Dangers on a Tanker
C/off: Because you are new on the tanker, let’s begin this training session with the basics. Refer
to the green brochure Safety on a Tanker. Well, what kinds of dangers do you think are
lurking on a tanker?
Cruz: Fire? The gas from the crude oil could ignite and start a fire.
Santos: An even worse case is an explosion.
C/off: That’s right. The tanks are filled with crude-oil vapor, and when the oil is being loaded, it
could spill onto the deck. The vapor, or hydrocarbon gas, is very dangerous. You should
never carry matches or lighters while on the deck. You may not even carry them to your
cabins.
Cruz: I guess that’s why we should smoke only in designated areas. There are matches there,
and the ashtrays are filled with water. I smoke now, but I’ve made up my mind to quit
smoking. It will be better for my health, too.
C/off: What are some other dangers?
Cruz: Since we use inert gas, there could be a shortage of oxygen.
C/off: Actually, there is little oxygen in the tanks. We are not too affected by inert gas on deck
except while performing specific tasks, such as gas freeing. I oxicity hazards caused by
crude oil gas are more likely to happen.
Santos: I’ve heard that a small quantity of crude oil gas isn’t too dangerous
C/off: That’s true, but crude oil that contains a lot of hydrogen sulfide is dangerous. It could
paralyze you if you inhale it.

brochure: small booklet, pamphlet
lurking: hiding, awaiting
ignite: to catch fire
explosion: sudden, violent release of energy and substances
crude-oil vapor: vapor that forms when crude oil is contained
hydrocarbon gas: a gas of organic substances which contains carbon and hydrogen
designated areas: area marked off for a special purpose
oxygen: a gaseous substance existing in the air which is essential for breathing
gas freeing: removing unwanted gas
toxicity hazard(s): potential danger from toxic (poisonous, harmful) substances
hydrogen sulfide: colorless, poisonous gas with the smell of rotten eggs
paralyze: to make a person lose free control of movement
inhale: to breath in, to intake
35. Tanker Fires and Explosions
C/off: Let’s talk more about fire and explosions. Flammable gas, alone, doesn’t cause
explosions.
Cruz: You mean there must be oxygen, too?
Santos: And also a source of ignition.
C/off: You’re right. But what is more important, however, is their concentration. What I am
about to tell you is a little advanced, but we have to discuss it so you are aware of the
dangers.
Cruz: Are you talking about LEL or UEL?
C/off: Yes. First of all, petroleum gas consists of many different substances. Each of these has
different properties. That’s why the ICS has defined UEL or UFL as a 10 percent
concentration, and LEL or LFL as one percent.
Santos: That means that the petroleum gas won’t explode unless the gas concentration isn’t within
that range.
C/off: Exactly. And an oxygen concentration of 11 percent is also necessary. Even if the
petroleum gas concentration is in the explosion range, there can be no explosion if the
oxygen concentration is less than 11 percent.
Santos: So that’s why the inert gas sent to the tanks has an oxygen concentration of less than 8
percent.
C/off: The most dangerous problem with the tanks is static electricity. But if the tanks are filled
with the proper amount of inert gas, we don’t have to worry about static electricity.
Cruz: Is it safe on deck?
C/off: The most important thing is to check for gas on deck when you are chipping or welding.
That’s why proper maintenance and good communication between the deck crew and the
engine crew is so important.
flammable gas: a gas that catches fire easily

ignition: catching of fire, starting to burn
concentration: the amount of substance in a solution; strength
LEL: Lower Explosive Limit
UEL: Upper Explosive Limit
petroleum gas: vapor generated from petroleum or oil
substances: material(s)
properties: qualities, characteristics
ICS: International Chamber of Shipping
UFL: Upper Flammable Limit
LFL: Lower Flammable Limit
static electricity: discharge of accumulated energy, electric potential which can produce sparks
welding: joining metals by applying extreme heat
36. Toxicity Hazards on a Tanker
C/off: We will now talk more about toxic gas hazards and safety.
Cruz: Is it hydrogen sulfide?
C/off: Most crude oil comes from wells with high levels of hydrogen sulfide. But the level is
usually reduced by a stabilization process before the crude oil is loaded. If this system
fails, however, a tanker may load with a higher-than-usual hydrogen sulfide content. Then
special adjustments must be made. Mexican or Qatar crude oil contains high levels of
hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. Be very careful not to breathe it because
it could paralyze you instantly. One time, when we were at the ullage hole, a man lost
consciousness after inhaling the gas.
Cruz: there must be some way to avoid this problem.
C/off: We have pocket sized detectors for hydrogen sulfide. You should always have one with
you. We are allowed to work when the concentration is less than 10ppm (parts per
million). If you detect more gas than the 10ppm allowed, you must be very careful.
Santos: That’s why I saw oxygen masks at the entrance of the Pump Room. Should we use them
in that case?
C/off: Those masks are used when there is gas present or when there is a fire. They are also
useful in the Pump Room if a large amount of oil has leaked and gas is escaping. But even
with a mask on, it is still dangerous if there is a lot of gas.
toxic gas hazard(s): dangers associated with poisonous gases

well(s): oil well, a hole drilled into the ground to draw out petroleum
reduced: decreased, made smaller in number or quantity
a stabilization process: a process for making something stable
rotten egg(s): eggs that have gone bad
instantly: promptly, tight away, on the spot
lost consciousness: a person losing sensory perception
avoid: not to encounter or experience
detector(s): device used to find something
oxygen mask(s): a mask worn over the nose and mouth for supplying oxygen
37. Oxygen Deficiency on a Coal-Ore Carrier
Avarro: Well, we’re safe on this ship from accidental oxygen depravation because, as a coal-ore
carrier, it doesn’t have an inert gas system.
A/off: That’s crazy! This ship is especially dangerous.
Avarro: Really? Why is that?
A/off: It’s very dangerous in the cofferdams, in the ballast tanks of the double-bottom, and in
the lower stools. Whenever coal is being loaded, there is a danger of asphyxiation.
Avarro: Why is that? There must be enough oxygen; we go down there all the time.
A/off: It’s rust. Oxygen is consumed when iron rusts. This uses up the oxygen over time. You
have to take special care and measure the oxygen level whenever you enter these areas.
Be sure to check with two oxygen detectors, not just one. And you must have enough
ventilation.
Avarro: How do you ventilate without a fan?
A/off: We keep the manholes open for a day or more. It’s natural ventilation. For
double-bottom tanks, we open both the fore and aft holes to let the air in. coal catches
fire easily. And fire lowers the level of oxygen and raises the level of carbon dioxide.
Avarro: That’s scary.
A/off: Yes, it is. Two seamen died once in a lower stool because of a shortage of oxygen. If they
had measured the oxygen properly, placed a watch on deck and prepared their breathing
apparatus, they would be alive today.
depravation: a lack of something

coal-ore carrier: a ship for carrying coal ore
That’s crazy!: Nonsense! Don’t be silly!
cofferdam(s): a liquid-tight chamber used to prevent oil spills
double-bottom: ship’s bottom having a double structure or lining
lower stool(s): a structure enforcing the bulkhead
asphyxiation: a lack of oxygen causing death or loss of consciousness = asphyxia
rust: oxidization of iron
ventilation: circulation of air
carbon dioxide: a chemical substance made of one carbon molecule and two oxygen molecules
scary: making people worried and afraid; frightening
breathing apparatus: device that helps a person to breath (air)
38. Safety Training on the Forecastle
A/off: Do you know what this is?

Avarro: It is a bow-chain stopper.
A/off: Right. When berthing at SBM, take the chain from the SBM into this lead. When three or
four chain links pass through, use the stopper to clamp it down. It’s easy but dangerous.
You should start with the messenger rope, then the hawser, and the chain follows the wire
rope. But it can get caught in the Panama hole and break.
Avarro: What do we do then?
A/off: You must follow the Chief Officer’s directions and watch out for running ropes. Try to
avoid any broken ropes, and be sure to keep an eye on them.
Avrro: At school, we were told that taking a rope stopper was very dangerous.
A/off: Make sure to handle a rope stopper only after the Chief Officer tells you it is safe. Never
think that it is safe on your own. Many seamen have been injured in this situation, and
many have lost their lives.
Avarro: I understand. Is the same true for tug lines?
A/off: When we are loading at port, the ship’s freeboard is large, which means that the height
from the deck to the tugboat is very high. So a big tug line is used. You also have to use a
big messenger line when you wind it on the warping end or when using a capstan. Make
sure to do this with the help of as many crewmembers as possible, and follow the Chief
Officer’s orders.
forecastle: upper deck of a ship located at the bow

bow-chain stopper: a device for stopping a bow chain
clamp: to hold down or hold steady, a device for holding something in place
messenger rope: a rope used for hauling a cable = messenger line; a smaller rope to guide a larger
rope or cable
Panama hole: a mooring hole for leading a rope or cable
keep an eye on …: to keep a close watch, to pay attention to …
rope stopper: a device for stopping and stabilizing a rope
many have lost their lives… : many people have been killed
tug lines: a rope or cable used for hauling something or tugging a ship
warping end: the twisted end of a rope or cable
capstan: device used for lifting a heavy material (by winding a cable)
39. Using the Accommodation Ladder
2/off: Ramos, a service boat is coming. Lower the accommodation ladder on the starboard side.
Ramos: It was lowered on the port side.
2/off: The port side is no good! There is a strong wind and the waves are high. You must use the
starboard side. It is sheltered from the wind and the waves are not as big there.
Ramos: Yes, sir. I will lower it there.
2/off: There seems to be one of our crewmember’s family on board. I’m going down with a
safety vest. Prepare an air-light to brighten the place up. The Bridge’s wing lights might
be bright enough.
Ramos: Yes, sir. You can use it as soon as you open the air valve
(At the bottom of the accommodation ladder)

2/off: Ramos, OK, stop. The waves are high, so I’ll lower it when the boat comes closer.
Ramos: Yes, sir.
(The Third Mate is on the boat)

3/off: Second Officer, we’re almost level. Can we transfer now?
2/off: Are there guests on board?
3/off: Yes, two women.
2/off: You help them onto the boat, and I’ll help them from her. Tell them to take their time.
Show them how to transfer when the boat is coming up and no, when it is about to go
down. And don’t let them carry their luggage. I will give you a rope later so we can carry
the bags up.
3/off: Yes, sir. Let’s go!
accommodation ladder: a ladder used for boarding or leaving a ship

sheltered from: protected from the effects of …
safety vest: inflatable jacket or vest that will keep a person floating when cast into water
wing lights: lamps found on the ships wings
we’re almost level: we are almost of the same height
transfer: to move over, to change over
luggage: suitcase or other cases carried by a traveler
40. Safety on the Stairway
(In the Engine Room)

Santos: Good morning, sir.
1/eng: Good morning.
Santos: the sea is a little rough today, isn’t it?
1/eng: You are up bright and early this morning! We’re right in the middle of the monsoon. The
waves are very big. Be extra careful in the stairway.
Santos: Yes, I’ll hold on firmly to the handrail and be very careful.
1/eng: Just a moment! That’s dangerous. When you hold onto the handrail with your right hand
forward, your left hand should be behind you, like this. It’s easier for you to keep your
balance that way and not slip.
Santos: I see. Like this! You’re right!
1/eng: It’s also dangerous to carry tools when you climb stairs. You should put them in your
pockets or in a tool bag tied around you.
Santos: I understand. My flashlight is in my left pocket, and my rag and wrench are in my right
one.
1/eng: Also, take your time so you don’t slip and fall. Be careful where you step, and always
watch your head.
Santos: Yes, sir. By the way, when I was in the store looking for some spare parts, I saw a big
wooden box about two meters long, 50 centimeters wide and one meter high. What’s it for,
and what’s inside of it?
1/eng: It’s an old valve that has to be landed at the next dry dock. We replaced it with a new one
during our last voyage.
stairway: set of steps for moving up or down the different floor levels
handrail: a railing to hold on to for better balance or support
keep your balance: not to fall, maintain an upright posture
flashlight: small portable lamp
take your time: don’t rush, don’t hurry
landed: stopped, positioned
dry dock: a pool-like structure where water can be emptied to repair a ship
replaced: changed with something else

41. Safety in the Galley
C. stew: Good morning.

Cruz: Good morning.
C. stew: Be careful! The ship is rocking. Don’t drop your dishes.
Cruz: It must be tough to cook on a day like this. Now I know why you always wear safety
shoes in the galley.
C. stew: Yes. Even in the galley we have to be careful. You could slip and drop a knife on your
foot or a load of dishes on the floor, especially when the sea is as rough as it is now.
imagine what could happen if we were barefoot.
Cruz: Especially with all of those hot dishes you serve.
C. stew: Exactly. And we can’t see the waves like you can outside. Oh, the sea off Durban in
South Africa is really terrible! But come monsoons or typhoons, everyone expects their
meal to be ready. We can’t let everyone down by not being safe.
Cruz: How do you stop the dishes from sliding off the shelves?
C. stew: That is a problem. When we in rough seas, sometimes the dishes even fly out of the deep
sink, so we can’t put the dishes anywhere when the sea is that rough.
Cruz: Wow! It must be even worse on a small ship.
C. stew: Yes, then we wouldn’t even be able to sit down and eat normally. Anyway, we all have to
be careful when the ship pitches and rolls.
rocking: a ship moving from side to side

barefoot: not wearing any foot gear such as shoes
typhoons: a tropical low-pressure air mass with strong winds and heavy rain
let everyone down: make everybody feel bad or sad
sink: a basin for washing dirty dishes and utensils
normally: usually, ordinarily
pitches and rolls: vertical and sideways movements of a ship

42. Safety in the Cabin
Cruz: (Rushing into Santos’s cabin) What happened? I heard a loud noise!
Santos: That was close! I was standing on a chair trying to change a light bulb, and the chair
moved and I fell down. These waves are really big.
Cruz: Are you hurt?
Santos: I’m OK, but I fell hard on my arm. And the light bulb is smashed.
Cruz: I’ll help you clean up.
Santos: Thanks, but I’ll take care of it. It was stupid of me to stand on a chair in such rough seas.
Cruz: That reminds me of the Second Officer. He went on his watch, and when he came back to
his cabin, his bottle of whiskey had fallen on the floor and broke. He couldn’t sleep
because of the smell.
Santos: That’s too bad. Actually, the sea wasn’t so rough at midnight when the Second Officer
started his watch, but it was terrible by morning.
Cruz: The Second Officer was worrying about his bottle of whiskey, but he couldn’t return to
his cabin while on duty.
Santos: He also said that he lost his favorite pen because of the ship rocking so much.
Cruz: How did that happen?
Santos: After writing to his wife last night, he left the pen on his desk. It rolled off the desk and
fell into the trash can. He threw away his garbage this morning not knowing the pen was
inside.
Cruz: What a shame!
That was close!: I almost hurt myself! Oh, I barely managed to escape harm!
light bulb: electric light with a glowing filament inside
hurt: to get injured
smashed: broken into small bits
It was stupid of me …: I was stupid to do such a thing…
… went on his watch: started his shift of duty
on duty: working, not resting
rolled off: moved off in a rolling motion
trash can: a garbage can, a container for thrown out waste
garbage: food waste, trash, worthless thing
What a shame! : a great disappointment

Chapter 4. Health and Hygiene
43. Making a Habit of Washing Your Hands
Perez: Assistant Officer, will you give me some liquid soap for the toilet in front of the COC?
A/off: Sure, I’ll go and get some.
Perez: It goes quickly because everybody always washes their hands.
A/off: Well, we are always worried about food poisoning and infections on board, so the steward
crew wash their hands before they start cooking. One Chief Steward has his crew wash
their hands whenever they enter the galley.
Perez: That makes sense.
A/off: Once, a mess boy was cleaning the galley with his pants rolled up. When he finished
cleaning, he rolled his pants down and served a dish without washing his hands first. He
got into a lot of trouble for that.
Perez: Sanitation is important on board
A/off: We always have to be careful. Viruses travel very easily through human contact.
Perez: There is no doctor on board so we must all pay attention to our hygiene.
A/off: Recently, many people were sick with O-157 bacterial infection. It cannot be washed
away without soap. It would be really bad if that bacteria appeared on board. It has been a
problem in Japan.
Perez: I’ll make sure to always wash my hands.
A/off: Assistant Officer

liquid soap: detergent in liquid form
food poisoning: getting sick form eating rotten or spoiled food
infection(s): a disease caused by infectious microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, viruses
That makes sense.: That is quite reasonable. I can understand that well.
with his pants rolled up… : he had the end of his pants rolled up, not down…
got into a lot of trouble: caused a big trouble, was scolded
sanitation: protecting public and personal health
viruses: very small microorganisms (smaller than bacteria), which often cause diseases
human contact: by touching or coming near
pay attention to …: be attentive, be careful about…
hygiene: promoting and preserving health
O-157 bacterial infection: disease of the digestive tract caused by O-157, which is a potent strain of
E. coli, a colon bacteria

44. Sanitation and Cleaning
Perez: I’m tired of starting cleaning at 6:30 every morning.

A/off: Did you say something?
Perez: No, I was just talking to myself.
A/off: How do you think the rest of the crew would feel it the whole place was dirty when they
got up?
Perez: You’re right.
A/off: And since we clean everyday, it doesn’t get too dirty. If we only cleaned when it was very
dirty, it would be a lot harder.
Perez: We clean here everyday, but what about the rest of the boat?
A/off: We clean the walls and ceilings in the General Office, too. You may not notice easily, but
tar and nicotine from cigarettes make walls and ceilings turn ugly yellow.
Perez: Yes, that’s right. I’ve noticed lots of oil stains in the corridors.
A/off: Well, the ship is our home and a clean ship is a safe ship.
Perez: I understand. If the whole place was dirty, if the paint was peeling off, if it was rusty all
over, and if there were things lying around, I would feel like I was on a rotten ship. And I
wouldn’t care about it.
A/off: Exactly. Feeling good about the ship makes you feel good about yourself.
talking to myself: mumbling or muttering in an inaudible voice

rest of: the remainder, all of the other people
ceiling(s): the top-most part of a room
tar: dark, oily, sticky substance made mainly of hydrocarbons
nicotine: colorless, poisonous substance from a tobacco plant
oil stains: dirty spots made by spilt oil
corridor(s): passage, hallway
peeling off: coming off in thin flakes or sheets
rotten: spoilt, something gone bad

45. Deck Cleaning
A/off: First, start sweeping. Avarro, start vacuuming A-Deck

Avarro: Yes, sir.
A/off: As for the rest of you, go to A-Deck and get the buckets, sponges, mops, and liquid soap.
Then clean the walls and ceilings. Wipe the fluorescent lamps, too.
Perez: Yes, sir. What should I use for the tough oily spots?
A/off: Pour undiluted soap on a sponge and wipe thoroughly. If that doesn’t work, use paint
thinner.
Perez: OK. I’ll try that.
A/off: After washing with soap, change the water and rinse the whole place with clean water.
That gets rid of all the dirt.
Perez: I’ll change the water now.
A/off: After you finish cleaning the walls and ceiling, you must mop the floor. Remember to
change the water frequently.
Avarro: Yes, sir.
A/off: And if there are oily or greasy spots use undiluted soap or thinner, and then mop again.
Perez: Should we polish the doorknobs?
A/off: After you finish mopping.
Avarro: Assistant Officer, I finished mopping the floor. Shall I go down one deck?
A/off: Not yet. We should take a break. Avarro, will you go to the COC and make some coffee
for us?
Avarro: Yes, sir. I’ll carry down these sponges to the next deck on my way to the COC.
A/off: Thank you.
fluorescent lamp(s): a lamp made of a glowing glass tube; glowing is caused by discharged
electrons
undiluted: full strength or concentrated
thinner: usu. Turpentine or similar liquids used to dilute paint, etc.
rinse: to wash off with a lot of water or other liquids
dirt: ground, soil, filthy substances
mop: to clean or wipe with a mop
greasy: dirty with oily or waxy substances
polish: to brush or wipe until something shines; buff
take a break: stop work and rest (usu. for a short while)
on my way: just going to do something

46. Keeping Your Cabin Tidy
(Today is a day off. The Assistant Officer is knocking at Perez’s door. Perez answers.)
A/off: Good morning. Are you still sleeping?
Perez: Good morning, sir. No, I got up at 8 o’clock this morning. I was just reading in bed.
A/off: You should go and have breakfast now. Wow, your cabin is a real pigpen. You should
clean it up. Today is a good day for that.
Perez: I was thinking of doing that myself.
A/off: The ship will have a de-ratting inspection in Japan. So you must clean everywhere, even
under the bed. Make sure you dust, too.
Perez: What do they check during the inspection?
A/off: They check if the ship meets the standard rules for sanitation. For example, if they find
cockroaches or mouse droppings, the ship will fail the inspection.
Perez: Do they check the cabins?
A/off: Yes, they do. Inspectors always check the cabins. They always check the drawers under
the beds to see if there is mouse excrement. So you must keep them clean.
Perez: I understand. I will vacuum the whole cabin today.
A/off: Good. A clean room is better for your health.
pigpen: a pen for keeping pigs in, a dirty or untidy place

de-tatting inspection: a check to see that rats are not around
sanitation: promoting public health
cockroach(es): common household pest
dropping(s): excrement
inspector(s): examiner
excrement: animal or insect droppings, bodily waste
vacuum: to clean with vacuum suction pressure
47. Garbage Disposal

Ramos: What’s that floating in the water? It looks like oil, doesn’t it? That’s terrible! Who would
do such a thing?
2/off: I bet it’s the ballast discharge from another ship cleaning their tank. How awful!
Ramos: Do you think that it will wash away?
2/off: In the deep sea, everyone thinks that everything will wash away, but thinking like that is
spoiling the sea. Nature is being destroyed. And it’s not only because of oil spills.
Romos: Yes, I saw a lot of plastic bottles floating around, too.
2/off: It is forbidden to dispose of anything in the water when in a harbor. MARPOL imposes
disposal rules for oily wastes, bilge, and daily wastes to prevent marine pollution. Our
disposal standards on board meet these rules.
Ramos: That’s why we separate the plastic from the rest of the garbage and incinerate it in the
Engine Room. Then we discharge the ashes at least three miles away from the nearest
land.
2/off: Right. But the standards in the United States are even more strict. Disposal of anything in
the sea is prohibited within their exclusive economic zone, that is, within 200 miles of
their coast.
Romas: So we should never throw garbage into the sea.
2/off: Exactly, not even a beer can or a cigarette bull.
ballast: seawater carried in a ship’s tank to maintain a good balance, seawater used to flush the tanks
in this case
discharge: eliminate, something thrown away
awful: terrible, very bad or unfavorable
plastic bottles: bottles made of plastic
… is forbidden: … is not allowed, is not permitted
dispose of …: to throw away, to get rid of
MARPOL: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
bilge: in this case used to mean bilge water, dirty water that collects in the ship’s bilge (lowest inner
part of a ship’s hull)
marine pollution: making the sea dirty, polluting the sea
separate: not together
incinerate: to burn, to dispose of something by burning
is prohibited: something is not allowed
exclusive economic zone: a territorial water claimed by a government
cigarette butt: unburned end of a cigarette
48. Washing Clothes
Santos: Is your washing finished?

Cruz: It will be soon. I’ll tell you when it’s done. It’s now in the spin cycle so it’ll just be one or
two more minutes.
Santos: I saw someone rinsing something under running water. Isn’t that wasteful?
Cruz: Yes. Even though we can get as much water as we need from the Engine Room evaporator
we still need to make a habit of saving water.
Santos: Right. I also try not to use too much detergent. That way it takes less fresh water to rinse
my laundry.
Cruz: I bought this detergent in Japan. It’s really strong so just one little scoop does the job!
Another good thing is that it helps prevent marine pollution. It breaks down easily.
Santos: Next time we stop in Japan, I’ll buy some, too.
Cruz: OK, I’m done. I’ll hang up my clothes now. Wow! You have a lot of clothes to wash!
Santos: I’ve been very busy and I haven’t been doing much washing. I don’t have any thing clean
to wear anymore.
Cruz: You have to stay clean or you’ll get sick. No matter how busy you are, you should always
wash your clothes.
Santos I know. I was just lazy. I won’t let it happen again.
in the spin cycle: laundry is being dried by the spin dryer of a washing machine
rinsing: cleaning or washing with a lot of liquid
wasteful: causing or making a lot of waste
evaporator: a machine for turning something into vapor
detergent: a chemical used for washing and cleaning
laundry: clothes that need to be washed or are being washed
scoop: a cup-full, a shovel-like tool
break(s) down: a substance changing into simpler or basic units
hang up: to suspend (to let air dry in this case), to hold downward
49. The Importance of a Balanced Diet
C. stew: You shouldn’t eat so quickly!

Perez: I’m starving. And this food is so good that I can’t help it.
C. stew: In Japan, we say that chewing your food well keeps you in good health.
Perez: I see.
C. stew: Don’t you like vegetables?
Perez: Yes, I do. But the meat here is so good that I only eat meat and fish.
C. stew: It’s easier for us to serve meat and fish on board. It is harder to preserve vegetables. And
it’s wasteful to have all these leftover vegetables.
Perez: I heard that meat is more nutritious and that eating meat gives you more energy than
eating vegetables.
C. stew: That’s not true. Young men use more energy so they need more protein, and maybe it’s
good that you eat meat. But to eat a good balanced meal is the most important thing.
Perez: So I should eat some vegetables, too?
C. stew: Definitely. Good health comes from a good diet, and unless you eat a lot of fresh
vegetables, your health will suffer.
Perez: I know. Moderation, eating balanced meals, and exercising regularly are the basics of
good health.
starving: very hungry (almost to the point of death)

clewing: to crush food well with the teeth
preserve: to maintain in good condition
leftover: something left behind, not consumed or used up
nutritious: having a nutritional value
protein: basic component of living cells and an important nutrient
definitely: strongly, certainly
moderation: not going to extremes, in a well-balanced way
exercise regularly: to train or do sports on a regular basis
50. First Aid – Abdominal Pains
Ramos: Excuse me, Second Officer. I have a stomachache. Can you give me some medicine?
2/off: Let me see. (Examining the abdomen) Where does it hurt?
Ramos: Here, in the lower part of my right side. It’s painful.
2/off: When did the pain start?
Ramos: This morning. I have been trying to eat well and I have been chewing my food more
carefully under the advice of the Chief Steward.
2/off: Do you have diarrhea?
Ramos: No, not at all.
2/off: Do you have a fever? Let’s take your temperature.
Ramos: I don’t think I have a fever, but I should still check. (Taking his temperature) The
thermometer says 36.8 degrees.
2/off: I wonder what you have. Have you ever had appendicitis?
Ramos: No, I haven’t.
2/off: Then lie down on that sofa over there. (Checking his abdomen) Let me know when it
hurts.
Ramos: Ouch! Oh, right there!
2/off: OK. Let me try that again. Tell me if it’s still painful when I take my hand off.
Ramos: Oh, it’s very painful right here.
2/off: Maybe you have appendicitis. I’ll tell the Captain immediately.
Ramos: What should I do?
2/off: Don’t worry. The Captain will send a fax to the Seamen’s Hospital in Japan, and a doctor
will send back instructions on what we should do.
stomachache: a sore stomach, pain in the belly

abdomen: the belly, the visceral part of the body – abdominal (of or pertaining to the abdomen)
painful: causing a lot of pain and ache
diarrhea: loose stool or bowel movement
fever: a high temperature, a general hot condition of the body
take your temperature: measure one’s temperature with a thermometer
thermometer: an instrument for measuring one’s temperature
appendicitis: acute inflammation of the appendix
hurt(s): something is causing pain
Seamen’s Hospital: special hospital which treats sick seamen
instructions: set of guides for doing something
51. First Aid - Headaches
Cruz: Good morning. What’s the matter? You don’t seem to be feeling well.
Santos: Good morning. Yes, I have a headache.
Cruz: You didn’t drink too much last night, did you? Do you have a cold?
Santos: I’m not sure. But I think I have a fever.
Cruz: That’s bad. You should tell the Second Officer.
(In the General Office)

Santos: Excuse me, sir. I have a headache and I think I have a temperature.
2/off: I’m sorry to hear that. Let’s go to the dispensary and have a look. (At the dispensary) Why
don’t we take your temperature?
Santos: OK.
2/off: The thermometer says 37 degrees. Do you have a sore throat?
Santos: No. but I’ve been very busy these days.
2/off: Do you sleep properly?
Santos: Yes. I mean, no. I don’t sleep so well. I was studying in the Engine Control Room until
late last night. I lay down on the sofa there and fell asleep. When I woke up, it was two
o’clock. So I went back to my cabin to go to bed.
2/off: It looks like you night have a cold. Not sleeping well, over-exhaustion, and staying in an
air-conditioned room must have made you even more tired. I’ll give you some medicine
for your cold and for your headache. Here, take these.
Santos: Thank you very much.
2/off: This is the medicine for your cold. Take this after every meal. These tablets are for your
headache. Take one now. then when you have another headache, take another one. OK?
Santos: Yes, sir. Thank you.
headache: feeling a pain in the head

dispensary: an office where first aid or medical care is given
sore throat: inflammation of the throat
properly: in a correct and appropriate way
over-exhaustion: fatigue, being very tired
medicine: a drug that helps cure a sick patient
tablets: a small, flat medicine to be taken orally
52. First Aid – Fingers Caught in Doors and Other Injuries
Santos: (To the Second Officer) Quick, sir! Hurry! The Wiper injured himself. He was opening the
elevator door when the ship rolled, and he got his fingers caught in the door! Now he’s in
the dispensary.
2/off: It sounds serious. I’ll go down there right away. How’s he feeling?
Santos: It’s a big cut and he’s bleeding a lot. It looked painful. It really shook me up when I saw
him.
2/off: He hasn’t lost any fingers, has he?
Santos: I’m not sure, but I don’t think so.
(At the dispensary)

2/off: Wiper, how are you?
Wiper: I got my fingers caught in the elevator door.
2/off: Let me see. You’ve got a big cut there. But it doesn’t look like you’ve broken any bones.
I’ll sterilize it first and then we’ll try to stop the bleeding. Third Engineer, give me a
hand!
Santos: Sure.
2/off: Roll up the Wiper’s sleeve and hold his wrists tight. (Second Mate applies antiseptic on the
bleeding wound.)
Wiper: Ouch! That hurts!
2/off: Hold still! Ok, you can relax now. I cleaned the wound out. Now we have to stop the
bleeding. Third Engineer, hold this down firmly.
Santos: Like this?
2/off: Yes, that’s good. Hold it tight. I’ll put some antibiotic ointment on the cut and then stitch it
closed. (After stitching) All right! That does it. That’s all I can do for now. I’ll put on
antibiotic gauze and then a bandage. I’ll give you some medicine for the pain later.
injured himself: got hurt

serous: grave (a bad injury in this case)
bleeding: blood coming out of a wound
shook me up: … I was shaken or surprised badly
not… broken any bones: no bone has been broken, the cut did not reach the bones
sterilize: to disinfect and kill disease-causing microorganisms
antiseptic: capable of preventing infection
wound: an injury, for example, cut or torn skin, bones, muscles, etc.
antibiotic ointment: oil medicine that can kill infectious bacteria when applied to a wound
stitch: to sew up, to bring together by sewing with a needle
gauze: thin, loose surgical dressing made of cotton
53. First Aid – A Foreign Object in the Eye
Ramos: Ouch!
A/off: What’s wrong?
Ramos: I’ve go something in my eye.
A/off: Don’t rub it. It’ll hurt if you rub it. You have to wash it out with water. You can use the
eye washer in the COC.
Ramos: Thanks. I’ll go down there right away.
(Ramos comes back to the deck)

A/off: How does it feel now? did you get it out?
Ramos: No. It still feels like there’s something in there, and it really hurts.
A/off: Let’s go ask the Second Officer what we should do.

(In the General Office)
A/off: Second Officer, will you have a look at his eye? It seems like a piece of rust got into it.
2/off: Let me take a look. I’ll use my magnifying glass. Come here near the window where I can
see better. Yes, you have some rust in there. You rubbed your eye, didn’t you?
Ramos: Yes, but only because there was something in it.
2/off: You should never rub your eyes if you get something in them. You shuld always rinse your
eye out with water. Let’s go to the dispensary. We’ll have to remove that piece of rust with
a needle.
(In the dispensary)

Ramos: Are you going to use the same big needle that you use for injections?
2/off: Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got a knack for it. It’s the best way to remove a piece of
rust. But just in case it hurts, I’ll put some eye lotion on it as an anesthetic.
rub: moving back and forth while applying pressure

rust: oxidized metal, usu. iron
magnifying glass: a lens that enlarges the object being viewed
needle: a finely-pointed piece of metal, usu. with an eye at the end
injection(s): a shot, using a hypodermic needle
a knack for… : a special technique or ability for doing something
anesthetic: a medicine for reducing sensation
54. First Aid – Removing a Fishhook Caught in a Finger
(After dinner, several crewmembers are fishing on the Poop Deck while at anchor)
Cruz: Ouch!
Ramos: What happened?
Cruz: Oh, no! the fishhook got stuck in my finger!
Ramos: You have to be more careful. Let me see. Oh boy, this doesn’t look good. The hook is
buried deep in your finger! OK, now just hold still for a minute. I’ll try to pull it out.
Cruz: Ouch! It really hurts!
Ramos: I can’t pull it out if you keep moving this way. Hold still!
Cruz: No, it hurts too much ! please don’t touch it!
Ramos: Well, then, what should I do? Here comes the Second Officer. Let’s ask him. Second
Officer!
2/off: What’s the matter?
Cruz: A fishhook’s stuck in my finger and I can’t pull it out?
2/off: You must have been trying to pull it out the wrong way. You cannot pull it out backwards,
otherwise how could you catch any fish? The only way to do it is to cut the line and push
the hook through your finger. We will need to sterilize the wound afterwards. Let’s go to
the dispensary.
(At the dispensary)

2/off: Just try to bear with the pain, OK? First, I’ll cut the end of the hook. There. Now I’ll push
the hook through your finger and pull it out the other side.
Cruz: Ouch!
2/off: OK, I’ve got it! Now we have to sterilize your finger. I’ll give you some painkillers later.
at anchor: ship is not in motion, being stopped by dropping the anchor into the water
fishhook: a metallic hook with a connected line, used to catch fish
backwards: moving to the rear
bear with … : to endure, to tolerate
painkiller(s): medicine that reduces pain
55. Going to the Hospital
2/off: Captain, I am sending the Third Mate to the hospital. Have you contacted the agent yet?
Capt: Yes, I just did. Third Mate, take the one o’clock service boat to shore. The agent, Mr.
Tanaka, will be waiting at the station to pick you up. Ask him to take you to the hospital.
The agent will advance you the money for it.
Cruz: Yes, sir.
2/off: Third Mate, give these papers to the doctor.
Capt: I told the agent about these papers. He will give the Second Mate’s papers to the doctor.
The doctor will fill them out after the examination and return them to him. You must tell
the doctor exactly what is wrong with you.
Cruz: I will. How far is the hospital?
Capt: According to Mr. Tanaka, it is about five minutes away by car. Don’t worry. The doctor
knows what he is doing.
Cruz: Will it take long?
2/off: Yes, I think so. I think they will need to take blood. You might have to wait for a while.
Capt: Mr. Tanaka said it would take about three hours. The next service boat leaves shore at
17:00. You will be able to catch it.
Cruz: Do I have to call him to come and pick me up at the hospital when I’m done?
Capt: No, don’t worry. He’ll stay with you until you are finished.
Cruz: I’m very glad to hear that.
advance: to give beforehand

examination: doctor’s check or diagnosis or consultation
what’s wrong with you … : physical problems you have
take blood: to draw blood for an examination, etc.
56. Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases
A/off: All right, now I know that you haven’t been on shore in a long time, but don’t spend too
much time in the red-light district.
Avarro: Don’t worry.
A/off: Don’t worry about what?
Avarro: Nothing, really.
A/off: Remember what happened the last time you went with those girls? And you should set
an example or the rest of the crew might get involved too.
Avarro: On second thought, maybe I had better take some condoms with me.
A/off: An even better idea is not to go there at all. But if you have to go, use condoms. As the
saying goes, “A wise man does not court danger”
Avarro: A senior officer once told me that washing up well with soap and water was enough to
prevent me from catching anything.
A/off: That’s nonsense! Sexual diseases can be transmitted by blood, saliva body fluids, etc.
You are probably safe if a virus only touches your skin. If a virus comes in contact with a
mucous membrane or a wound, then you could be infected.
Avarro: So a good washing is not enough?
A/off: It depends on the situation, but in general, it is surely not enough. You can get STDs
easily. And always learn to guard yourselves against AIDS.
Avarro: OK. I’ll be careful.

red-light district: entertainment area where sexual amusement is usually found
get involved …: get caught in something, become a part of something
condom(s): a rubber cover placed over the penis to prevent direct contact during sex
A wise man does not court danger: Also “ It is best to avoid danger.”
prevent … from: stop from doing something
sexual diseases: syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and other kinds of diseases that are passed on
through sexual intercourse or contact
transmitted: passed on from one person to another
saliva: water in the mouth
body fluids: blood, serum, mucus, and other forms of liquid in the body
virus: extremely small microorganisms, made of DNA and protein
mucous membrane: the living tissue covering the surfaces of some organs, e.g. the linings of the eye,
nose, mouth, lungs, etc.
STDs: sexually transmitted diseases, sexual diseases
guard … against… : take protective measures
AIDS: acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a serious, strongly infectious disease caused by HIV
(human immunodeficiency virus)
Chapter 5. KYT – Kiken Yochi Training
57. What is KYT?
Cruz: Chief Officer, I often hear the letters KYT. What do they mean?
C/off: KYT is the abbreviation for “Kiken Yochi Training”. “Kiken Yochi” is Japanese.
“Kiken” means danger, risk, or hazard. “Yochi” means precaution or foreseeing.
Cruz: What kind of training is it?
C/off: The training improves your ability to predict danger. It is a group exercise. We share
information between ourselves on danger hazards. We lean an ability to use hand signals
to direct each important point of a job, and then we try to prevent the danger through
teamwork.
Cruz: S we enhance our ability to foresee danger by training each other.
C/off: Basically speaking, yes. Accidents happen, and when they do, there are many casualties,
so we work hard to be able to sense any possible danger better.
Cruz: How do we train to gain this ability?
C/off: Well, for example, you can point your finger to warn others of some danger. Also, you
should be aware of any problem with your fellow crewmembers’ physical condition by
talking with them at our morning meetings, and you should discuss any risks or dangers
that exist in the workplace, etc.
Cruz: That sounds interesting. When do we get this training?
C/off: We have safety meetings every morning. That’s when we practice our KYT methods.
abbreviation: short form, contraction
hazard: danger, risk
precaution: a measure taken in advance to stop any unwanted developments
foreseeing: ability to see things before they occur
predict: ability to know things before they occur
hand signal(s): making signs with the hands to give certain messages
enhance: to promote, to make more of something
casualties: injuries, including deaths
physical condition: a person’s health
practice: to carry out, to do
58. KYT – Four Rounds Method
2/off: Today we will practice the Four Rounds Method. I want you all to remember this well, as
it is one of the basic KYT methods. I’ll summarize the method for you first. We determine
the roles of the leader and the others. The leader will ask you to stand in a row and will do
a roll call. He’ll then ask about each person’s health. After that, we’ll proceed to the first
of the four rounds. Please refer to the details listed on the handout.
Santos: Sir, can I mention anything that I would consider a danger during Round One?
2/off: Of course you can. Don’t hesitate to speak up. During Round One, just make sure that
when you foresee some possible danger, you can explain what causes it.
Cruz: Sir, my role is to write down the dangers. Do I have to summarize the opinions given?
2/off: No, you don’t. you can write as much as you like.
Santos: Sir, during Round Two, do we have to decide the dangerous points by a majority?
2/off: No, you don’t. All attendants should agree. Actually, I don’t think that you will have a
problem agreeing. I am sure your decisions will be unanimous. During Round Three, try
to figure out preventive methods in a practical manner. And then, during Round Four,
we’ll decide on a team action plan.
summarize: to state something using a few words

determine: to make a decision, decide
do a roll call: call people’s names out one by one to check if they are present
proceed to: to move forward to the next step or process
handout: printed materials or other things given to people
mention: say, speak; bring up
hesitate to: to refrain from saying or doing something
by a majority: by agreement of more than half of the people present
unanimous: by agreement of all the people present
preventive: measures that can help stop something
in a practical manner: rationally, logically; making sense
action plan: a schedule or plan to do something
59. KYT – Morning Meeting in the General Office
C/off: Let’s start the meeting. Today’s practice concerns chipping and painting on the starboard
crane. Please be careful because this is a dangerous job. Also, the sea is even rougher
today than it was yesterday.
Avarro: Can we hook our safety belts to the safety line at the same place as yesterday?
C/off: We will decide this later, once we are at the site.
Bosun: The deck seems very slippery today. Be careful on the crane. Remember: you must pay
attention to your work or you might get hurt.
C/off: Hold on to something when you move around so you won’t slip.
Bosun: We should carry our tools to the crane first. Then, Ramos will climb up the crane and haul
them up. Nobody should be carrying anything while climbing the crane.
Avarro: Yes, sir. If we put the tools in a half-cut can, we can pick them up better.
Bosun: But be careful not to drop any tools. Also, don’t stand under the crane where failing tools
can hit you.
C/off: OK, now let’s review what we’ve discussed so far. But before we do that, let’s do “touch
and call” together.
All: Safety first! Safety first! Safety first! Go!
chipping: action of removing something little by little

starboard crane: the crane located on the right-hand side of a ship
hook: to connect or secure on…
safety line: a wire or rope provided to enhance safety
slippery: easy to make people slip or fall; slick
haul: to pull, tug
touch and call: a gesture of touching one another and loudly crying out a slogan
60. KYT – Tool Box Meeting in the Engine Control Room
1/eng: Good morning, everyone. Third Engineer, did you sleep well last night?
Santos: Yes, I slept very well. I feel great today.
1/eng: That’s good. OK. Let’s start today’s meeting. I wrote our three tasks for today on this
whiteboard. Second Engineer, will you explain the first task in detail, using 5WIH?
2/eng: Yes, sir. The first task is to overhaul the main engine’s exhaust valve. I will be the leader,
and the No.1 Oiler and the Third Engineer will work together with me. Our job is to clean
the inside of the valve and to change all of the O-rings and seat-rings.
1/eng: Thank you. Let me know when you are about to take out the valve spindle and take off
the valve seat. Pay attention to the following points so that you don’t get injured:
1 – Avoid dust, which can get in your eyes, nose, and mouth.
2 – Avoid getting your fingers caught in the gaps between the spindle or the valve seat,
and the casing body.
3 – Not to get hit by the spindle or the valve seat if the ship moves suddenly.
4 – Be careful that the spindle or the valve seat doesn’t fall on you if a haul wire breaks
when shifting the load.
Third Engineer, will you repeat these points?
Santos: Yes, sir.
task(s): a job that needs to be done; duty

5WIH: interrogatives, e.g., who, what, when, where, why, and how
overhaul: disassemble something and clean up the inside; repair or restore to original condition
exhaust valve: a valve fitted at the exit side
O-rings: round pieces used for scaling or shock-absorbing purposes
seat-rings: a ring fitted on a structure where a valve sits
valve spindle: usually a metallic rod which causes the valve to move
valve seat: place where a valve is fitted
spindle: a long rod-like structure which serves as an axes for a revolving part
haul wire: a metallic wire or line used to pull something
61. A Meeting in the Engine Control Room
1/eng: Good morning, everyone. It will be a hot day today. Wiper, you don’t look well. What’s
wrong?
Wiper: I’m fine. Just a little sleepy. I was reading last night until quite late.
1/eng: Being tired makes you less attentive. That can lead to accidents. Be very careful. I’ve
written today’s tasks on the whiteboard. Does anyone have anything else to add?
No.1 oil: During the M0 check this morning, I found out that the delivery pressure of the No. 1
main engine fuel oil supply pump was 0.5kg/cm² lower than usual.
1/eng: Is that so? I didn’t notice. (He exits the control room to confirm the information and
comes back a few minutes later). No. 1 Oiler, you’re right. Its suction pressure is lower,
too. Dirt must have accumulated in the suction strainer and caused this pressure drop.
One of today’s scheduled tasks was to clean the fuel oil pump. Third Engineer, I want
you to do this job and take No.1 Oiler and the Wiper to help you.
No. 1 Oil: After we finish cleaning the fuel oil pump, can I do the third scheduled job on the list
with the Wiper? That is, cleaning the Engine Room floor.
1/eng: Yes, you may. Third Engineer, why don’t you come back here after you’re done cleaning,
and I’ll explain the machines in the Engine Room to you.
3/eng: Yes, sir. I will. I don’t know much about them and I’ve been a little worried about that.
less attentive: not paying as much attention, less careful

M0 check: checking proper functioning of the automatic control equipment
delivery pressure: pressure at the exit port
suction pressure: pressure at the intake port
accumulated: piled up, something that has collected somewhere
suction strainer: a strainer (filter-like apparatus) fitted at the exit (discharge) port
… why don’t you: you should do something, I suggest that you do something

62. A Meeting in the Galley
C. stew: The sea is getting rough today.

Mess: It’s cloudy every day, and that gets me down.
C/cook: Yes, me, too.
C. stew: Mess Man, be careful not to trip and fall down in the galley.
Mess: I will.
C. stew: Chief Cook, you be careful with the knives.
C/cook: Yes, I will. It is very slippery in the galley, Mess Man. Be very careful.
Mess: I always wear safety shoes. I’ll be careful.
C. stew: And remember, you don’t need to hurry. Carry the dishes slowly and steadily. And don’t
put any pitchers or glasses on the table, even for a short while, because they can easily
fall off when the sea’s this rough.
C/cook: We should change the menu for dinner.
C. stew: You’re right. We should reduce the number of dishes and make the menu simpler. We
should forget about the soup.
C/cook: Maybe we should change the lunch menu, too, so that we can use the ingredients that we
defrosted for dinner for lunch.
C. stew: Good idea! Let’s change it. Chief Cook, write up the menus now. mess Man, be careful
not to get your hands caught in the door when you take out the food. Maybe the two of
you should do it together. One of you can hold the door, and the other gets the food out.
gets me down: makes me feel bad or sad

Mess: Mess Man. A low-rank sailor usually in charge of janitorial work or helping in the kitchen
trip and fall down: get caught on something and fall to the ground
steadily: in a firm, stable manner; slowly but surely
pitcher(s): container for serving water, milk, juice, etc.
reduce: to decrease, lessen, make smaller
ingredient(s): substances used to make something else
defrosted: to thaw, bring frozen material to room temperature

Chapter 6. Navigation
63. Navigating a Narrow Channel
3/off: Captain, her position is on the course line. It’s five miles to the next waypoint, sir.
Capt: Thank you. The ship ahead of us seems to have reduced its speed. Third Mate, what is
our distance from that ship?
3/off: Three miles, sir. Her speed is 11 knots. She has slowed down a bit. We are getting closer
to her.
Capt: Roger. Our speed is 12 knots. Let’s reduce our speed, too. Bring down the engine
revolution to 75 RPMs.
3/off: Roger. (Calling the Engine Room) Reduce the speed to 75 RPMs. We are getting too
close to the ship in front of us. (To the Captain) Message sent, sir. Speed will be reduced.
Capt: Roger.
Ramos: Captain, I can see something floating by her port bow, sir.
3/off: It could be driftwood, sir.
Capt: Roger. Quartermaster, bring us to starboard 10.
Ramos: Starboard 10 (After steering Starboard 10) Starboard 10, sir.
Capt: OK. Midship. Port 10. Midship. Steady.
Ramos: Steady. Steady 245, sir.
Capt: 245. Thank you.
3/off: Captain, the boat safely passed the driftwood.
Capt: Thank you. Quartermaster, bring us back on course.
Ramos: Resuming course. (After returning back to a heading of 236) Back on course 236, sir.
on the course line: sailing on the pre-determined sailing course

waypoint: a point between major points on a route
distance: the space between two objects or places
knot(s): a unit for showing a ship’s speed, one nautical mile (approx. 1.85km) per hour
revolution: turn, rotation
RPM(s): Revolution Per Minute (a unit indicating the engine’s frequency of rotation, thus its speed)
bow: front section of a ship
driftwood: piece of wood floating on the water
midship: direction set to the middle of a ship; middle of the ship
resuming: returning, going back to the previous setting

64. Bad Visibility
3/off: (Calling the Captain) Captain, this is the Third Mate. Visibility has been reduced to two
or three miles.
Capt: (Coming up to the Bridge) That’s quite bad. This fog is not good. Are there any ships
around?
3/off: Yes, there’s one ship five miles ahead, off our starboard bow. Its speed is almost the same
as ours.
Capt: (Observing the radar) I see. Third Mate, start the fog signals.
3/off: Yes, sir. (Watching the radar) Captain, a ship seems to be approaching on an opposite
course. Our distance is 12 miles. I’ll check the data with the ARPA. Yes, it’s on an
opposite course. The CPA is one mile. The ship will pass our port side in about 15
minutes.
Capt: Keep watching it with the ARPA. Are there any ships behind us?
3/off: No, sir. Movements of other ships are still the same, sir.
Capt: (Going out to the starboard wing and listening carefully) Third mate, let’s change our
course to starboard.
3/off: Yes, sir. I’ll change the course so that the CPA will be two miles. Quartermaster Ramos,
course 095, please
Ramos: Yes, sir. (After having changed the course) Now on course 095, sir.
3/off: 095, thank you. Captain, CPA is two miles now. our distance from the other ship is now
five miles, sir.
Capt: OK. Keep an eye on it. Are there any other ships out there?
3/off: No, sir.
Capt: I can now see the ship approaching. Visibility is about three miles.
visibility: visible distance, range of obtaining a clear view

fog: condensed water vapor hanging in the air
starboard bow: ship’s right-hand-side front
radar(radio detecting and ranging): a method of detecting distant objects
approaching: coming near
CPA: Closest Point of Approach
Keep an eye on it: Watch it closely! Keep monitoring its movement

65. An Engine Problem
3/off: (Answering a phone call from the Engine Room) Hello, this is the Bridge.
1/eng: This is the First Engineer speaking. The main engine has a slight problem. I will be
reducing the speed to 50 RPMs. Is everything all right on the Bridge?
3/off: Yes. There are no problems here.
(The Captain comes up to the Bridge).

Capt: Third Mate, the Chief Engineer told me that the fuel valves are in bad condition. He
wants to reduce the speed and check the valves. Depending on their condition, he might
decide to stop the engine. He can repair them temporarily.
3/off: I understand, sir. The revolution is now at 50 RPMs, sir.
Capt: Note the present time and position.
3/off: I did, sir. (Answering a call from the Engine Room) Hello, yes, this is the Bridge.
1/eng: We are checking the valves now. we will be slowly reducing the RPMs until the engine
stops. Is that OK?
3/off: I’ll ask the Captain. (To the Captain) Captain, they want to stop the engine once they
have reduced the RPMs. Is that OK?
Capt: Yes, tell them to go ahead. And tell the First Engineer to let me know ahead of time,
when they will be reducing the speed, and for how long the engine will be stopped. Let’s
hoist two black balls to signal that the vessel is not under command.
3/off: Yes, sir. I’’ do it right away.
in bad condition: in bad shape, in an unsatisfactory state

depending on … : determined by other factors
temporarily: for a short time, not permanent
ahead of time: in advance, before the scheduled time
hoist: to raise, as to raise to the top of a mast
the vessel is not under command.: the ship has no power and cannot move on its own; adrift

Ramos: A ship is approaching our head on an opposite course. I can’t make out her exact heading
because I’m alternately seeing her starboard and port lights.
3/off: That’s probably because of the wayes. Let’s pass each other port-to-port. I’ll confirm it
by VHF. (Calling on the VHF radio) To southwest-bound vessel, course 215. This is the
northeast-bound ore carrier Otaka Maru, eight miles at your head. Do you read me?
I.H.: To ship at our head, course 035, this is Indian Highway, course 214. Do you read me?
3/off: Indian Highway, Indian Highway, Indian Highway! This is Otaka Maru. I read you
loud and clear. Over.
I.H.: Otaka Maru, This is Indian Highway. Please change channel to 06. over.
3/off: Channel 06, roger. (Changing to Channel 06) Indian Highway, this is Otaka Maru. Do
you read me?
I.H.: Otaka Maru, I read you loud and clear. Over.
3/off: I will change my course to starboard. Let’s pass each other port-to-port.
I.H.: Port-to-port, roger. I will change my course to starboard, too.
3/off: Thank you for your cooperation. Bon voyage. Back to channel 16.
I.H.: Thank you. Bon voyage. Back to channel 16.
make out: to judge, determine, understand

alternately: back and forth, shifting from one to the other
port-to-port: passing each other on the left side of the ship
confirm: to verify, to make sure
VHF(very high frequency): a type of radio communication
ore carrier: a ship specialized in carrying ore
I.H.: Indian Highway: name of a ship in this scene
I read you loud and clear: I can hear you clearly. The radio is working well
cooperation: help, assistance, working together

O.P.: To the ship on my starboard bow, course 215, speed 15 knots. This is container ship
Ocean Princess, eight miles away, 045 degrees off your port side, course 300. Do you read
me?
3/off: (On the VHF) Ocean Princess, Ocean Princess, this is VLBC Niitaka Maru, Niitaka
Maru. I read you loud and clear. Please change to Channel 06.
O.P.: Channel 06, roger. (Changing the channel) Niitaka Maru, this is Ocean Princess. Over.
3/off: Ocean Princess, this is Niitaka Maru. I can read you loud and clear.
O.P.: According to the ARPA reading, the CPA is 0.5 miles. I think I can pass you safely on my
present course. May I pass you at your bow? Over.
3/off: You may not pass at my bow. I repeat. You may not pass at my bow. Pass at my stern.
According to our ARPA, the CPA is 0.4 to 0.6 miles. It is too short. Please follow the
traffic rules.
O.P.: Roger. I will pass at your stern. I will change my course to starboard now.
3/off: Thank you. I will maintain my course and speed. Back to channel 16.
O.P.: Roger. Back to Channel 16.
O.P.: Ocean Princess (name of a ship appearing in this scene)

container ship: a special ship used for carrying containers
VLBC: Very Large Bulk Carrier
at your bow: ahead of you
at my stern: behind me, at my rear
traffic rules: set of rules that vehicles, ship, etc. must follow to ensure safety
maintain: to keep, to retain
68. Talking on the VHF Radio Before Entering Port
3/off: Captain, I’ve checked our position. We are on the course line. Our speed is 12 knots. We
will arrive at the Uraga Traffic Route entrance earlier than our ETA, sir.
Capt: OK. We might have to reduce our speed at the Tokyo Bay Entrance due to traffic. So, for
now, let’s keep the same speed.
(An hour later)

3/off: Captain, we are now 10 miles from the Uraga Traffic Route entrance, sir.
Capt: OK. Call Tokyo MARTIS and report our position.
3/off: Yes, sir. (On VHF radio) Tokyo MARTIS, Tokyo MARTIS, this is Shinzan Maru,
Shinzan Maru. Do you read me?
MARTIS: Shinzan Maru, this is Tokyo MARTIS. I read you loud and clear. Change to Channel 12,
please. Over.
3/off: Channel 12, roger. (Changing to Channel 12) Tokyo MARTIS, this is Shinzan Maru.
Good morning. Do you read me?
MARTIS: Yes, I read you. Over.
3/off: Our present position is 10 miles from the Uraga Traffic Route No. 1 Buoy. Over.
MARTIS: Your position is 10 miles from the Uraga Traffic Route No. 1 Buoy. Roger. I have you on
my radar now. Your ETA at the Uraga Traffic Route entrance is 09:30. Have you
changed your ETA? Over.
3/off: No, we haven’t. Over.
MARTIS: Please le us know when you enter the Uraga Traffic Route. Back to Channel 16. over and
out.
3/off: Roger. I’ll let you know when we enter the Route. Back to 16. over and out.
Uraga: an entrance to Tokyo Bay

ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
due to traffic: because there are many ships
MARTIS: VHF call name of the Tokyo Wan Traffic Advisory Service Center
buoy: a floating marker on the water’s surface
radar: an abbreviation for radio detecting and ranging
over and out: i’m cutting off the communication
69. Entering Port (1)
P.S.: (On VHF radio) Shinzan Maru, this is the Uraga Channel Pilot. Do you read me?
3/off: Uraga Channel Pilot, this is Shinzan Maru. I read you loud and clear, over.
P.S.: Shinzan Maru, change to Channel 06, please.
3/off: Roger. Changing to Channel 06. (Changing channel) Uraga Channel Pilot, this is Shinzan
Maru. Over.
P.S.: The Pilot will be on station at 09:20, as scheduled. Please rig your pilot ladder on the
starboard side, one meter above the waterline.
3/off: Roger. I’ll rig the pilot ladder off our starboard side, one meter above the waterline. Over.
P.S.: Back to 16.
3/off: (By transceiver) Second Officer, the Pilot wants us to deploy the pilot ladder off the
starboard side, one meter above the waterline.
2/off: Pilot ladder on the starboard, one meter above the waterline. Roger. I’ll rig it now.
Capt: Second Mate, will you tell Ramos to wear a safety vest when he prepares the ladder?
2/off: Yes, sir.
3/off: (Calling the Engine Room) The Pilot will come aboard at around 09:20 as planned.
Capt: Third Mate, engine at stand by.
3/off: Engine stand by, sir.
P.S.: Pilot Station

rig your pilot ladder: set or lower the ladder used to help the pilot board or disembark a ship
above the waterline: higher than the waterline
transceiver: a communication tool which can send and receive radio signals
deploy: to put in position, to prepare to use
safety vest: a floatable jacket that will help a person stay afloat in the water
70. Entering Port (2)
Pilot: Good morning, Captain.

Capt: Good morning, Pilot. The engine is now at half, and our course is North.
Pilot: OK. Bring the engines to full ahead and change our course to 002, please. Captain, there’s
an escort boat about 500 meters ahead.
Capt: Thank goodness that the visibility is good today.
Pilot: Yes. There are too many fishing boats about. I hope that they don’t cross our route. What is
the top speed we can do?
Capt: We can do about 11.8 knots maximum, since we are half laden. She can go astern quickly
at this speed. The engine crew, however, has advised us not to go to full-speed astern for
more than a minute at a time, except for in an emergency.
Pilot: I see. I’ll take account of that. There are the fishing boats. (To the escort boat by
transceiver) Please tell those fishing boats to keep clear of our course.
Capt: We encountered a lot of fishing boats in the Malacca Straits during this voyage.
Pilot: There always seems to be many fishing boats there.
Capt: Yes. They are equipped with modern engines now and are very quick.
Pilot: Yes, they are. Captain, will you hoist the First Substitute Flag and Flag S before we reach
that buoy?
Capt: I will. Have you got any berthing instructions for us?
Pilot: Yes. We’ll berth on the starboard alongside the West Berth.
Capt: I understand. Thank you. Third Mate, tell the Chief Mate to bring us to berth on starboard
side. And prepare the flags.
3/off: Yes, sir.
engine is now at half: engine speed is set to half ahead

full ahead: fastest engine speed
Note: The engine speed varies from ‘dead slow ahead(astern)’, ‘slow ahead (astern)’, ‘half ahead
(astern)’ to ‘full ahead (astern)’
an escort boat: a boat which accompanies a large ship to ensure safety
fishing boat(s): a vessel used for catching fish
half laden: ship’s holds (tanks) are filled half way, half deadweight (carrying only half of the full
load)
astern: toward the rear of a ship
except for in an emergency: only done in emergencies
take account of: put something into consideration
encountered: ran into, met, came into contact
equipped with: provided with, fitted with
the First Substitute Flag: a flag showing a ship’s destination
Flag S: also a flag showing a ship’s destination
berth on the starboard: to dock or moor a ship with the right side facing the dock
71. Preparing the Mooring Lines
Bosun: Ramos, stand by the winch. The rest of you, man the ropes.(其他人准备缆绳)
Ramos: The clutch is set, sir. Stand by for walk back, sir.
Bosun: OK. Walk back slowly. Sailors, pull the end.
Avarro: Bosun, should the end be in this position?
Bosun: That’s fine. Now put the eye just between the rollers. Perez, carry this the same way you
carry that. Ramos, stop.
Avarro: Perez, just a moment. I’ll help you. Bosun, we’re ready.
Bosun: OK. Ramos, walk back.
Ramos: Roger. Walk back now.
Bosun: That’s it. Take it out like you did before. Ramos, stop. The hawsers are OK. Now, let’s do
the breast wires. We have to shift the wires from the port side with the messenger rope,
since she’ll berth on her starboard side. Ramos, take this messenger rope to the starboard
capstan.
Ramos: Yes, sir. Bosun, stand by heaving in, sir.
Bosun: Just a moment. Avarro, be careful that the mandarin shackle won’t get caught in the deck
roller
Avarro: Bosun, stand by, sir.
Bosun: Perez, walk back. Ramos, slowly heave in. avarro, the shackle is coming. Watch it!
Avarro: Bosun, the mandarin shackle is coming our way.
Bosun: Ramos, move slowly. Hold on. Perez, stop for a moment. Avarro, where is it?
Avarro: It’s just in the roller’s hook. I think it’s OK.
Bosun: Roger. Perez, walk back again. Ramos, heave in slowly.
Avarro: Bosun, the shackle is passing. It passed clearly, sir.
Bosun: OK. Stop. Remove the messenger rope. Let’s go to the next one.
clutch: a device for engaging or disengaging of, for example, a motor

hawsers: large ropes used for mooring or towing a ship
breast wires: wires used to secure the midship section to the dock; spring lines
heaving in: to pull in, as in pulling in a rope
mandarin shackle: type of shackle used to connect to lines
72. Discussing the Navigation Schedule
Capt: Oh, Second Mate, there you are. I’d like to ask you about the navigation course that you
made.
2/off: Yes, what is it?
Capt: Our estimated speed is 14.5 knots. Is this the same speed as we made on our last voyage?
2/off: Yes, it is. We also did the same speed on the one before that.
Capt: I know. But, on our next voyage. We might be going against the current. That could slow
us down by one or two knots.
2/off: I think I wrote that down in the pilot chart. I wondered which one I should choose. I
referred to the record of our last two voyages.
Capt: At this time of year, there is a strong counter-current. That’s what happened last year. Up
until now, the ship’s hull is pretty clean. I think you should calculate our speed as 13
knots.
2/off: Yes, sir. I will.
3/off: Did you calculate our ETA on your PC?
2/off: Yes, I did. We have a program in Excel. When you enter the waypoint, then it gives you
the ETA automatically.
Capt: Third Mate, this program is probably really useful, but for the time being, you should
learn how to do the calculations by hand. This way, you will know how to calculate the
ETA correctly.
3/off: Yes, I’ll try to do it by hand and if I need help, I’ll ask the Second Officer. Can I use a
calculator with trigonometric functions?
Capt: Why, of course. You should first learn how to calculate the distance between two points.
It’s really interesting.
3/off: I did it at school, and I’m sure I can still remember how to do it.
navigation course: a ship’s sailing course, means a navigation plan in this case
estimated: presumed, assumed
current: flow of water in the sea
pilot chart: a chart showing wind directions, strengths, ocean currents, etc.
referred to … : looked at… for information
counter-current: flow of water in the sea, flowing in the opposite direction from the main flow
automatically: by itself, without help
calculations: using numbers to figure out the size, quantity and quality, etc.
trigonometric functions: sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, etc., an angle expressed as the ratio of two
of the sides of a right triangle
73. Taking Over the Navigation Watch
3/off: (He comes up to the Bridge and checks the ship’s course on the chart, after letting his eyes
get used to the darkness. He also reads the Captain’s night order book. Then he comes out
to the wheel room) Good evening, sir.
C/off: Good evening.
3/off: (Proceeding to the center compass) May I take over the watch?
C/off: Present course and speed are 218 degrees, at 15.5 knots. We have maintained the same
speed for the last four hours. The distance to the next waypoint is about seven miles, and
we’ll reach it sometime after 20:30. The current effect is light, and visibility is good.
3/off: Yes, sir. Our course is 218.
C/off: For our surrounding area, the ship over there showing the green light is on an opposite
course from us. Her distance is 6 miles, and her course is about 35 degrees, which is just
about our opposite. The CPA is 2 miles.
3/off: I see.
C/off: There’s another ship, far away off our port side, at a distance of 15 miles. I’ve observed it
on radar, and its course is also opposite of ours. We should be able to see her mast light
soon.
3/off: Yes, sir. (He looks for it with the binoculars) I can’t see it yet.
C/off: There’s one more ship, this one following about 2 miles behind us; it’s the small one that
we overtook awhile back. I haven’t seen any fishing boats, but the Second Mate saw a lot
of them during his watch. Keep a close watch for them.
3/off: Yes, sir.
C/off: I haven’t received any navigation warnings. You’ve read the Captain’s night orders, right?
3/off: Yes, I have. I’ll take over, sir. Thank you.
C/off: Good night.
chart: map or other graphics that show various features of navigation, to help ships to sail safely
darkness: lack of light
night order: (in this case) a list of commands and precautions written by the Captain
take over the watch: to take over the duty of keeping watch on the Bridge, Engine Control Room,
etc.
surrounding: things found around something
binoculars: a visual aid made of couple set of lenses which allows faraway objects to be seen more
clearly
awhile back: some time ago, in the past
Keep a close watch for … : to carefully look out for something, be prepared for
navigation warnings: special warnings that alert ships about sailing conditions, i.e. weather alerts,
storm warnings, etc.
74. Taking Over at the Engine Room
1/eng: Third Engineer, we’re now changing the main engine exhaust valve. Remember,
whenever you work in the Engine Room, wear a safety helmet and don’t pass under any
heavy machinery that’s suspended from hoists.
3/eng: Yes, sir.
1/eng: Meet Hashimoto, our previous Third Engineer. He’ll show you around and teach you
what to do.
Hashimoto: I’m Hashimoto. Nice to meet you.
3/eng: I’m Manuel Santos. Nice to meet you, too. Please show me everything you can. This is
my first time on a Japanese ship, and I want to learn as much as possible.
Hashimoto: The Third Engineer is in charge of several machines, such as the provision refrigerator,
the air conditioner, the evaporator, their auxiliary pumps, and onboard electricity, etc.
He’s also in charge of maintaining the fuel oil, including purifier maintenance, keeping
the logbook and filing the noon report. You should read the Third Engineer’s takeover
notebook to get the details.
3/eng: I’m confident working with electricity and the refrigerators, but I’m not so sure about
controlling the fuel oil. Please teach me as much as you can.
Hashimoto: Of course. This was my third ship as a Third Engineer. And what matters most is
training, not studying.
3/eng: Thanks. By the way, I’m surprised at how clean it is in the Engine Room.
Hashimoto: Thank you. To work efficiently, it’s really important to keep things clean and tidy. It
also helps you quickly spot any trouble.
safety helmet: hard hat worn to protect the head

suspended: hanging in the air
hoists: device for lifting a heavy object
previous: something occurring or existing before something else
is in charge of: has the responsibility of doing something
provision refrigerator: cooling device for preserving food
auxiliary: additional, something provided to help the function of other main equipment
purifier: device used to clean up something, e.g. air, water, oil
logbook: a book of record, especially of navigation
noon report: report showing the conditions of onboard equipment
confident: sure, with assurance
what matters most is training, not studying: It’s more important to learn by doing something, than
by studying about it.
efficiently: in an effective manner, in a manner that can yield good results
tidy: clean and neat, well-organized
Chapter 7. General Duties on Board
75. The Ship’s Safety and Sanitation Meeting
1/eng: I’d like to know what you think of the schedule for the safety and sanitation meeting.
C/off: When are you thinking of having it?
1/eng: On June 22 at 13:00.
C/off: That won’t be a problem for the deck crew. The steward crew can attend, too. And it looks
like there won’t be many ships around, judging from the ship’s estimated position at that
time.
1/eng: That’s what the Captain said as well. The theme of the meeting will be the correct usage
and maintenance of the safety and sanitary equipment.
C/off: That’s a good idea. I think that our maintenance level has decreased recently.
A/off: I think it will also be helpful if we demonstrate common mistakes after the meeting.
1/eng: I agree. The engine crew is scheduled to chip the pipeline on the Upper Deck during the
next voyage, so we should demonstrate how to use and care for chipping goggles.
A/off: And we should explain what to do if you get rust in your eyes.
C/off: OK. So the theme for the next voyage has been decided. But we have to get the crew to
practice what they learn. We should check up on them before they start work.
A/off: It is good to know that we are all ready to do our jobs
1/eng: We should schedule a routine check before work starts, so they know the theme for the
next voyage. Is there anything else?
C/off: Last time out, for recreation day, the Third Mate had planned a game of golf on the deck,
but it rained that day. So this time he’s planning to organize a table tennis tournament for
next week.
deck crew: sailors who work on a ship’s deck

steward crew: sailors who work in the kitchen
judging from … : according to … , based on the available information
estimated position: place where someone or something is considered to be located
usage: the way something is used, utility
demonstrate: to show, esp. by showing examples
engine crew: sailors who work in the engine room
practice: to train, to do something well
routine check: regular and frequently repeated inspection or test
tournament: a series of contests fought until the winner is decided
76. Conversation with an Agent at the General Office
Agent: Good morning, Chief Mate. How’re you doing?

C/off: Good morning, I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
Agent: I’m doing pretty well, I guess. Did you have a good voyage?
C/off: We ran into two big storms on the way here, but we managed to survive. Please have a
seat. I’ll get you some coffee.
Agent: Thanks.
3/off: How would you like your coffee?
Agent: With milk only, please. I’m on a diet. So you are the new Third Mate. Nice to meet you.
3/off: Nice to meet you, too.
C/off: We are carrying a lot of reefer containers on this voyage, aren’t we?
Agent: Yes, we are. There aren’t so many oranges, but there sure are a lot of melons. There are
about one and a half times more than on the last voyage.
C/off: That many! The deck is going to be loaded. This ship has power supply problems
because she’s so old.
Agent: I know. I’ll bring the final plan later on. The power supply will be OK, although the GM
distance will be too short.
C/off: I’ll let the engine crew know about this. An auxiliary generator may be needed. How
much GM distance do we have?
Agent: About 50 cm.
C/off: That’s still safe. Well, we can still sail. We should be able to depart on Wendnesday
evening if everything goes well.
Agent: Yes, I think so.
managed to: … was barely able to do something

I’m on a diet: I am trying to reduce my weight.
reefer container(s): containers provided with refrigeration units
one and half times more: 150% more
power supply: supply of electric power (electricity)
GM: Gravity and Metacenter (The location of the metacenter and gravity indicates the stability of a
floating body.)
auxiliary generator: additional equipment used to create electricity
77. Conversation with the Authorities
C.G.: Chief Officer, may I ask you some questions about cargo operations?
C/off: Yes, please do.
C.G.: First, could you please tell me the cargo contents from your last voyage and the quantity
of each item?
C/off: Yes, here is the information on contents and quantities.
C.G.: OK. Now I’d also like to see the oil record book and the ship’s logbook.
C/off: Here they are.
C.G.: Where is the record of bilge discharges?
C/off: Here it is.
C.G.: How about for garbage disposal?
C/off: It’s written here on these pages in the logbook.
C.G.: Chief Engineer, can you explain to me the bilge discharge method?
C/eng: Sure. Look at this drawing. We collect bilge water in a tank and discharge it with the
bilge separator. I’ll show you where it’s done.
C.G.: OK. You can show me later when we are in the Engine Room. Chief Officer, will you
please tell me where you incinerate plastics and where you keep the garbage?
C/off: Yes. We keep the garbage on the Poop Deck, protected from the rain and seawater.
C.G.: Where’s your designated smoking area when loading at port.
C/off: We have one here and here. (Indicating the areas on a map)
C.G.: Let’s see. This is the officers’ smoking room, and this is the crew’s smoking room, right?
Thank you.
C.G.: Coast Guard

cargo operations: work involving the handling of cargo
cargo contents: list of cargo carried by a ship
oil record book: a book showing records of oil cargo
bilge discharges: elimination or disposal of bilge water
garbage disposal: throwing away waste
drawing: picture, a graphic representing or showing something
incinerate: to burn, to eliminate something by burning
designated smoking area: area specially set up for smoking (safety)
indicating: showing
78. Discipline on Board
Cruz: A few days ago I was dressed down by the Chief Officer because I was only wearing an
undershirt because it was so hot. He said I should always dress well, even during meals.
Santos: The First Engineer told me the same thing. He told me it looked bad if I went around in
my underwear. He said we must always wash our work clothes and keep them clean.
C/off: Hi. What are you two talking about? You look so serious.
Cruz: About the dress code. You said we should always look neat.
C/off: That’s right. We night have different opinions on style, but we all agree that dirty, torn
clothes look bad. Many people come on board when we are at port and they will leave
with a bad impression of both our ship and of our seamen’s discipline if we dress
sloppily.
Santos: What else should we be careful of?
C/off: The most important thing is to always be on time. Real seamen follow the “five minutes
ahead” rule. You should never be late.
Cruz: I see, if we don’t return to the ship in time for our departure, then the whole crew suffers.
Santos: Besides, a person who is late won’t even be able to get on board?
C/off: Yes, that’s right. If you’re not punctual, you’re not a seaman. And, on board, we live in a
limited space, so we have to respect each other and try not cause any trouble. For
example, we shouldn’t listen to loud music, bang doors, or leave our clothing unattended
in the washing machine….
Santos: Oh, no! My clothes in the washing machine must be finished by now. Excuse me. I’ve
got to run!
was dressed down: reprimanded, somebody scolded me

serious: intense
dress code: set of rules about how to wear clothing
neat: nice and tidy, in good order
torn: cut, tattered, ripped into pieces
with a bad impression: not feeling good about something
discipline: controlled behavior, self-control, a set of rules and regulations
sloppily: in a disorderly manner, not neat
suffer: to feel the bad results of something
punctual: keeping the time, being on time
respect: to show reverence, to defer
leave…unattended: not pay attention to, to start something and then not watch over it
79. Working Conditions
3/off: Second Officer, I know that our salaries are based upon our rank, but are our salaries any
different from the Japanese crew?
2/off: Yes, they are. They’re different because of the Japanese system. In Japan, a company
guarantees lifetime employment. Once an employee starts work for a company, he is
guaranteed a job until retirement. And salaries are based on seniority. Salaries increase
with the number of years the employee works for a company.
3/off: So salaries don’t vary according to rank, then?
2/off: No, they don’t. for seamen, however, the base salary varies depending on whether you
are an officer or a crewmember.
3/off: So once a person starts working for a company, their employment is secure?
2/off: No, that’s not exactly right, and lately, things have been changing. It seems that shipping
companies cannot remain competitive unless they use a Western-style salary system.
More companies have abandoned their seniority system and now apply wages based on
job evaluation.
3/off: Well, our contracts start at departure from Manila and finish at arrival at Manila. E think
that the Japanese system is better.
2/off: I agree.
3/off: Yes, and Japanese salaries are generally much higher than ours
2/off: But you can’t only compare salaries. You also have to take into account the living
standards of each country. We can’t say that Japanese seamen are richer than Filipino
seamen because prices are much higher in Japan than in the Philippines.

salaries: wages, usu. paid on a monthly basis
rank: position, status
guarantee(s): to promise or secure
lifetime employment: a lifelong promise of work
retirement: to stop working after reaching a certain age
seniority: a job promotion system based on age or length of service
vary: to differ, to change
employment: having a job or work
competitive: able to compare favorably with others
job evaluation: judging how well a person is doing his job
contract: basic agreement between concerned parties
living standards: level of comfort, quality of life lived by people
80. Union Meeting on Board
3/off: I understand that there is going to be a union meeting on board soon. What is this all
about?
2/off: It’s a meeting where we collect any requests to the All Japan Seamen’s Union. We discuss
various topics such as working conditions, wages, and so on. Then, the Union makes its
policies according to our requests.
3/off: Do you meet often?
2/off: Yes, we do. We have meetings two or three times a year, making requests about our
spring labor offensive or about our bonus. There’ll be an onboard chairperson.
3/off: Second Officer, you are the onboard chairperson, aren’t you? It must be hard to get all of
the people on board to come to an agreement. Everybody wants a higher salary, but I
guess you can’t make everyone agree on the details.
2/off: Well, that’s not exactly true. Of course, the higher the salary, the better. But everyone
tries to consider each situation, whether it’s the company’s or the seamen’s. we all try to
see how well the Union can bring about our request. Then, we settle for a compromise
between the two sides. These meetings allow us to express ourselves and to work
together.
3/off: Then the Union is really a labor movement?
2/off: There are too many different types of labor movements so you can’t just lump them all
together. But, yes, the union meeting is the basis of such a movement.
request: claim or petition asking for something

wage: payment given in exchanger for work or service
policies (policy): a decision or plan or course of action for doing something
spring labor offensive: labor actions customarily made in the spring in Japan
onboard chairperson: a person who chairs union meeting on board
come to an agreement: reach a point where all concerned parties can agree
settle for… : come to an agreement
compromise: a half-way point where people of different opinions can meet
labor movement: group of actions staged by laborers (workers)
lump: put together into one group
81. Supplying the Ship’s Stores
Supplier: Good morning. I’m the supplier. The supply boat is waiting behind the Poop Deck. Do
you want me to bring the supplies up by crane?
C/off: Sure. Bosun, prepare the crane
(Starting to load the stores)

Bosun: (To the Boatman) Hey, I’ll send you a messenger rope. Tie it to your rope. (T0 Avarro)
OK. They’re connected. Avarro, heave it up and make it fast to that cleat.
Avarro: OK, it’s fast.
Bosun: (T0 the boatman) I’m lowering the hook. Watch your head!
Boatman: (To Bosun) OK, stop. There, it’s hooked now, so lift it aboard.
Bosun: Avarro, heave that line in. OK, hold on. Swing the load in and lower it onto the deck.
Wiper, look out! It’s dangerous around there. Get back. Lower it down. Now take the
stores out of the sling.
Supplier: Later, will you check these with me?
Bosun: (To Boatman) Hey, those cylinders are too heavy. This is only a one-ton crane, and that
load’s near the limit. Only put ten cylinders in the next sling.
Boatman: All right. But the sea’s getting rough, so hurry up.
Bosun: OK. Let’s load up everything from the boat. The wind has picked up so we had better
get this done quickly!
supplier: merchant who sells goods (to a ship in this case)

crane: mechanical device used to lift and move heavy objects
make it fast to … : to stabilize, to secure something by attaching it to something firm
cleat: a projected piece of metal for attaching a rope or cable
lowering: bring down, moving to a lower position
sling: device used to suspend and carry or support something
getting rough: waves are getting higher
82. Supplying Provisions
C/off: (Speaking into transceiver) Captain, this is the Chief Mate. The crane and
accommodation ladder are ready, sir.
Capt: Thanks. A supply boat is coming up on our starboard side. When it gets here, pick up the
supplies with the crane.
C/off: Yes, sir. (The boat arrives.) Two ship chandlers have boarded and they say they have
eight slings for us. We’ll start bringing them aboard, sir.
Capt: Roger. I’ll hold this course and speed for a while.
C/off: (To the Pump Man on the crane) Start loading. Slack down. hold on. Heave in. OK,
swing it on deck. Slack down. OK, men, take the stuff out of the sling. Only take the
frozen food to the Chamber. Leave the rest until after we finish.
C. stew: Chief Officer, I want to get the frozen stuff stowed right away. Can you give me some
people to help?
C/off: The deck crews are all busy unloading right now. take some engine crewmembers to help
you. And move those bottles more out of the way. Someone might hit them.
C. stew: Thanks. Mess Man, move those bottles out of the way, will you? We’ll take this cart right
to the chamber.
C/off: Avarro, they’re watermelons, so be careful with them. OK, men, the next sling is coming.
Pump man, swing it to this side and put it down here. (To the Captain by transceiver)
Captain, we have one more sling to pick up, and we’ve just started to lift it now.
Capt: Roger. Let me know when you’re done, so I can increase our speed. We’re too slow
against this current.
C/off: Captain, we’re finished, and the ship chandlers have left. The accommodation ladder is
clear.
Capt: Good work. Thanks for your help. You managed to do it quickly, and everyone did a good
job.

accommodation ladder: a ladder (climbing device) used to help someone board a ship
supplies: things purchased and supplied
chandler(s): a merchant who supplies goods to ships
slack down: to make something loose
chamber: room, storage, food storage in this case
stowed: stored, placed in, put away in its proper place
current: a flow of sea water
Chapter 8. Cargo Handling
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
trim: making the ship more balanced by shifting the ship’s cargo
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
ebb(s): seawater pulling away from the shore, lowering 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
packing sheet: a thin sheet placed for shock-absorbing or sealing purposes

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
cubic meter: m³,unit of volume (One cubic meter of water weighs one ton.)

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

Chapter 9. Preparations for Departure
92. station on the Bridge for Leaving Port (1)
Capt: Third Officer, let’s test the engine.

3/off: Yes, sir. (Speaking through the transceiver) Aft Station. Second Officer, this is the Bridge,
do you read me? I will now test the engine. Is the gangway clear?
2/off: Bridge, this is the Aft Station. I hear you loud and clear. We are ready to test the engine.
3/off: Roger, Second Officer. (By telephone to the Engine Room) Hello, you may test the engine
now. thanks you (To the Captain) We are ready to test the engine, sir.
Capt: Go ahead.
(The Third Mate tests the engine)

(The Engine Room calls)
3/off: Hello, Bridge! We are finished testing the engine. Everything’s normal and ready. (To the
Captain) The test is finished and the engine is ready, sir.
Capt: Thank you. Put the engine on standby.
3/off: (Repeating) Engine on stand by. (Moving the engine telegraph) Engine on standby, sir.
Capt: Thank you.
(The Second Mate comes to the Bridge, with the Pilot)

2/off: Captain, here is the Pilot, sir.
Capt: Good morning , Pilot.
Pilot: Good morning, Captain. Is the engine ready?
Capt: Yes, it is.
Pilot: Thank you. I’ll show you how to unmoor and unberth. Will you show me your pilot card
first?
Capt: Yes, here it is.
test the engine: to check the proper functioning of the engine, start the engine
I hear you loud and clear: Communication is good.; I can hear you well
on standby: getting ready for some action, ready and waiting
unmoor: to release the mooring of a ship
unberth: to release a ship from its berthing position
pilot card: ship’s detailed information given to the pilot
93. Station on the Bridge for Leaving Port (2)
Pilot: Captain, the Fore Station and Aft Station can single up now with the headline and the stern
line.
Capt: Roger. (To fore and aft by transceiver) Fore and Aft, single up with the headline and stern
line.
C/off: This is the Fore Station. Roger. Single up with headline.
2/off: This is the Aft Station. Roger. Single up with stern line.
C/off: Bridge, this is Fore. Single up done, sir.
2/off: Bridge, this is Aft. Single up done, sir.
Pilot: Now, let all lines go.
Capt: Fore and Aft, let all lines go!
C/off: Bridge, this Fore. Letting all lines go.
2/off: Bridge, this is Aft. Letting all lines go.
C/off: Bridge, this is Fore. All lines away. Lines clear, sir.
2/off: Bridge, this is Aft. All lines away. Lines clear, sir.
Capt: Fore and Aft. All lines clear, thank you.
Pilot: Thank you, Captain. Slow ahead engine and midships, please.
Capt: Pilot, a small boat is coming out of the pier.
Pilot: Ah, yes. I believe it will turn right and proceed toward the East Passage and won’t go
straight. But we will watch it carefully.
Capt: It’s hoisting its destination flag now. the boat will be entering the East Passage.
Pilot: Will you prepare the starboard anchor so that we can drop it in case of emergency? We can
use the anchor to deaden her speed.
Capt: Roger. I’ll put the anchor on standby. It can be dropped by loosening the break.
single up: to release the mooring lines one by one till just one remains
fore: front (forward) section of a ship
let all lines go: to release all the ropes and cables holding the ship
midships: setting the ship’s course in its central position
proceed: to advance, move forward
destination flag: a flag signal used in navigation to show where a vessel is heading
deaden her speed: reduce the ship’s speed
94. Preparing to Leave Port in E.C.R.
1/eng: Good morning. Well, we’re finally leaving. You’re probably a little tense, since this is
your first standby when leaving port.
3/eng: Yes, a little. Last night I read the standby manual for leaving port thoroughly, and I
re-read all of the manuals for the Engine Room operations. I’m excited about starting up
the engine, but I feel a little nervous. When do we start the standby navigation watch for
leaving port?
1/eng: We usually start one hour before leaving. We are supposed to inform everyone in the
Engine Room Department 15 minutes before we start the watch; today we’ll start at
09:00.
3/eng: It’s about fifteen minutes before the watch. Should I start the diesel generator now?
2/eng: We’ll start the No. 2 Diesel Generator locally because it hasn’t been used for a long time.
If it starts normally, I’ll let you know. Then, you should turn on the generator’s air circuit
breaker.
3/eng: First Engineer, I’d like to learn the procedure for starting the generator locally. May I go
with the Second Engineer?
1/eng: Yeah, I think that would be a good idea.
2/eng: OK. Did you bring a transceiver, with you so we can communicate? We use Channel 2 in
the Engine Room. Check that your transceiver is set to Channel 2. we’ll come back here
after we start the generator. Let’s go!
1/eng: Be careful and make sure the Third Engineer understands everything.
E.C.R.: Engine Control Room

tense: uptight, worried, being very attentive almost to the point of being nervous
nervous: lacking composure, feeling worried and unsure
navigation watch: a shift duty (usu. watching out for other ships or possible danger)
diesel generator: machine for producing electricity powered by diesel fuel
air circuit breaker: a device to cut off the power source
95. Warming Up the Main Engine
1/eng: OK. People, we will be setting sail in one hour. Let’s start warming up the main engine
and prepare for departure. Third Engineer, go down to the Engine Room and stand by.
Watch the Second Engineer and ask him any questions that you have about any of the
operations.
2/eng: Should we use the No. 1 Group pumps instead of the No. 2 Group, since the No. 1
Group is already being used?
1/eng: Yes, let’s do that. Second Engineer, keep your eyes on seawater service pump No. 1’s
delivery pressure when you switch pumps because the No. 2 Pump’s delivery valve often
sticks open and then can’t be shut.
2/eng: Yes, sir. I’ll call you on the transceiver when I’m in place. As usual, we’ll start and stop
the pumps from the Engine Room.
1/eng: OK.
(Everyone leaves and begins communicating by transceiver)

2/eng: Lubricant oil pumps, fuel oil pumps, fresh water cooling pumps, all normal, sir. I’ll
start warming up the main engine now.
1/eng: Roger. Watch the No. 3 Cylinder Exhaust Valve that we replaced.
2/eng: Roger.
3/eng: You can start feeding the cylinder lubricant oil and start turning the main engine, sir.
Everything here is normal. There is no sign of any trouble, sir. Not like the time when
water from the fresh water cooling jacket was spraying from the main engine indicator
valve.
2/eng: The No.3 Exhaust Valve on the No.3 Cylinder is normal and working well.
1/eng: Roger, everything is normal. We will be finished testing the engine after she turns for 30
minutes.
3/eng: The engine test will run for 30 minutes. Roger.
No. 1 group pumps: one of the duplex systems

delivery pressure: pressure measured at the exit port
lubricant oil pumps: pump for circulating lubrication oil
fuel oil pump(s): pump used for delivering fuel oil
fresh water cooling pumps: pump used for sending out fresh water used for cooling purposes
cylinder lubricant oil: type of oil used to ensure smooth movement of the cylinder
fresh water cooling jacket: a sleeve or structure provided for cooling a machine with circulating
fresh water
indicator valve: a valve which shows the flow of liquid inside an enclosed system
96. Testing the Main Engine
1/eng: Second Engineer, this is First Engineer. How do you read me?
2/eng: First Engineer, this is Second Engineer. Loud and clear, sir. Over.
1/eng: We’ll start testing the engine now. remove the turning gear and prepare to test the
engine.
2/eng: Starting engine test, roger. (Preparations have been completed) First Engineer, we’re
ready to test the engine. Please start the air run. Over.
1/eng: Roger. Starting air run. (After the air run is finished) Air run finished.
2/eng: Air run, finished, roger. All main engine indicator valves are shut, sir. Please test the
engine now, over.
1/eng: Roger. We will first test the engine ahead then astern.
2/eng: Main cylinder cover, exhaust valves, fuel pump, starting air pipe are all normal, sir.
3/eng: Turbocharger is normal, sir.
1/eng: Roger. Then I’ll test the engine ahead.
2/eng: Something’s wrong with the fuel-regulating rack for the No. 2 Cylinder Fuel Pump. All
of the others are normal, sir.
1/eng: Roger. Something’s wrong with the fuel-regulating rack for the No.2 Cylinder Fuel
Pump. Watch it closely later when we increase the main engine’s RPMs. Well, that does
it! We’re finished testing the engine.
turning gear: gear used for rotating a mechanical unit

air run: test running the engine using compressed air without supplying fuel
exhaust valves: a valve fitted to an engine through which combustion products are let out
turbocharger: originally a ‘turbo-supercharger’; an exhaust-driven turbine is used to maintain the
intake pressure
fuel-regulating rack: a device used to adjust the flow of fuel
97. Increasing the Main Engine Speed
1/eng: Second Engineer, I’ll increase the main engine’s speed. Is the fuel-regulating rack for the
No. 2 Cylinders Fuel Pump working OK now?
2/eng: It’s working normally.
3/eng: First Engineer, even though we have enough boiler water, we only have 70 tons of fresh
water. Should I turn on the fresh water generator?
1/eng: I’ll start it after we finish increasing the main engine’s speed and get it set.
3/eng: Yes, sir. Then I’ll only start the ejector pump.
No.1 oil: First Engineer, this is No. 1 Oiler. In case of rough weather, I’ve finished lashing the
movable equipment in the Engine Room, in the Steering Room and on the deck.
1/eng: Thank you, No. 1 Oiler. We’ve already accelerated the engine and reached the set
revolution. Will you take care of the soot-blow and turn off the auxiliary boiler? Then,
with the Second Engineer and Oiler B, would you secure the boiler.
No.1 oil: Yes, sir. I’ll do it right away.
1/eng: Second Engineer, since we’ve changed the fuel oil in the No. 2 Diesel Generator from
heavy fuel oil to diesel, we can switch off the air circuit breaker for the generator and
run it with only the turbogenerator.
2/eng: Start running the turbogenerator on its own. Roger . I’ve started the exhaust gas
economizer’s solid-brush soot-cleaning system.
3/eng: I’ve started the fresh water generator.
1/eng: Roger. The Captain says we can start the M0 operation from 17:00. All hands, let’s do
the M0 check!
boiler water: water supply for the boiler

fresh water generator: a machine which removes salt from sea water and makes distilled water
ejector pump: a pump using the ejection force of water or air to remove something from a pipe
soot-blow: a forced air system for eliminating collected soot
air circuit breaker: an device to cut off the power source
turbogenerator: a generator driven by a turbine
exhaust gas economizer: a device for tapping the heat of exhaust gas
Chapter 10. Bunkering
98. Meeting for Receiving Fuel Oil
C/eng: Third Engineer, we’re going to be receiving fuel oil from a barge starting at 10:00 today.
This is the bunkering plan; the total quantity will be 1,250 tons, and it will be loaded in
all tanks except for the No. 1 port and starboard fuel oil tanks. Our tanks should be 75
percent full after receiving the fuel.
3/eng: That should be easy because we will have plenty of extra space in the tank if it’s being
filled to only 75 percent capacity.
C/eng: You’re right. But you have to keep in mind that you can’t be too careful when doing
these kinds of operations.
3/eng: Believe me, I’ll keep it in mind. Doing this always makes me a little nervous. Which
manifold are we going to use?
C/eng: We’ll use the starboard side. Remember to sign off as the person responsible for the
operation. And, on the list, write the names of the No. 1 Oiler and the Wiper as sharing
the responsibility.
3/eng: Yes, sir. May I do the remote-control valve and the level-alarm devices’ operational test
when we get to the final stage?
C/eng: Yes. Confirm that it’s shut then lash the No. 1 Suction Valves for the port and starboard
tanks. We won’t be loading these tanks.
3/eng: OK, I will. I’ll start preparing to receive our supply. Should we put in the plugs on the
deck before we begin? And after that prepare the starboard manifold?
No.1 oil: For sure. Let’s put in the plugs for the oil-spill tanks.
barge: a flat-bottomed service boat

bunkering plan: a schedule for supplying fuel
keep in mind: not to forget, try to remember
remote-control valve: a valve which is opened or closed by means of a faraway control device
level-alarm device(s): an indicator that shows if the amount of liquid goes below or above a specific
level
lash: to tie with a rope and the like
suction valve(s): a valve which allows the intake of air, water, fuel, etc.
oil-spill tank(s): a tank used to collect any spilt oil, used to prevent ocean pollution
99. Receiving Fuel Oil at the Starboard Manifold
3/eng: No.1 Oiler, we’ve finished putting in the plugs for the scuppers and spill tanks. Let’s
start preparing the starboard manifold.
No.1 oil: The fuel oil transfer procedure and a drawing of the fuel oil loading pipeline are
displayed on the starboard side manifold for your reference.
3/eng: Should we prepare the tools and emergency equipment?
No.1 oil: They’re always stowed in the Center Store on deck. Let’s go get the stuff we need.
Wiper: I’ll get rags from the Consumable Store, so you two go ahead!
No.1 oil: Can you do it by yourself?
Wiper: Yes, I’ll use a cart to carry them.
3/eng: OK, here’s the sounding scale, the oil receiver can, sawdust, sand, oil dispersant, fire
extinguishers, and so on. It looks like we have all the tools and emergency equipment.
No.1 oil: I forgot to set the pressure gauge and thermometer on the pipe; now we can’t read the
inside pressure and temperature!
3/eng: It’ll be fine, but thanks for letting me know. We’ve finished preparations for the
starboard manifold, so let’s tell the Chief Engineer that we are ready. (By transceiver)
Chief Engineer, this is Third Engineer. We’ve finished the preparations for the starboard
side manifold.
scupper(s): an opening on the deck to let water flow out

spill tank(s): a pit provided on the deck to collect spilt fuel, liquid, etc.
fuel oil transfer procedure: a set course of action for moving fuel oil from one place to another
fuel oil loading pipeline: an enclosed pipeline system used for loading fuel onto a ship
rags: tattered, worthless bits of cloth
sounding scale: instrument used to measure the depth of a liquid
oil receiver can: a can for collecting drained oil
oil dispersant: a chemical used to drive off or break apart oil
fire extinguisher(s): a device used to put out fires using chemicals
pressure gauge: an instrument used for measuring the pressure
100. Receiving Fuel Oil
3/eng: Chief Engineer, this is Third Engineer. I’ve confirmed the receiving quantity and that the
wires are sealed for each tank of the barge. Also, I’ve checked the temperature, the
specifications of the oil, and the amount of water in the fuel oil, and everything looks
fine. The specific gravity is 0.9756; the temperature, 48 degrees centigrade; viscosity,
280 centi-stokes at 50 degrees centigrade. I also confirmed with the barge that they’d be
stopping the supply flow from their end.
C/eng: Roger. I asked a duty officer to hoist the “B” Flag and to announce that we’re starting
the bunkering. OK, please open the starboard manifold stop valve.
3/eng: All preparations are complete. I’ll open the starboard manifold stop valve now.
C/eng: Keep it running at a slow rate.
3/eng: Commenced bunkering at 10:05, sir. The fuel oil has just passed through the manifold,
sir. Everything looks good, sir.
C/eng: Third Engineer, I haven’t confirmed the oil flow into the tanks yet, so will you ask them
to gradually increase the flow rate a little?
3/eng: Roger. I’ll ask them to gradually increase the flow rate. Right now, the pressure at the
manifold is 1.5 kilos, and the temperature is 42 degrees centigrade. The loading rate is
now 300 cubic meters per hour, sir.
C/eng: Thank you. I’ve confirmed the flow into the tanks. Please keep your eyes on the pipeline
and the sea surface at all times for any possible signs of trouble.
temperature: hotness or coldness of the body or the environment

specific gravity: ratio which compares the mass of a substance to a mass of water of equal volume
centigrade: Celsius
viscosity: stickiness
stop valve: a valve which stops the flow of something inside
cubic meters: m3, a unit of volume
Chapter 11. Maintenance
101. Work Schedule Meeting at the General Office
C/off: Bosun, I’d like to talk about the work schedule for our next voyage. I gave you the draft
of my plan yesterday. How do you feel about stripping and painting the pipeline on the
upper deck and cranes?
Bosun: Yes, I think it’s a good idea. The tops of the cranes are really rusty, even though you
don’t notice it from the deck.
C/off: That’s true. The inert line is quite rusty, too. Bosun, how long do you think it’ll take you
to finish the inert line?
Bosun: There’s a lot of rust, so it might take a week to chip away the rust and to apply the first
coat.
C/off: According to the latest forecast, the weather won’t be so bad on our next voyage, at least
as long as we are still east of Singapore.
Bosun: We should start with the cranes since we will have good weather. We can do the pipeline
even when the sea is a bit rough.
C/off: That’s true. By the way, Third Mate, you said that you wanted to overhaul the draft
gauges. How long will that take?
3/off: The front one is in bad shape. I’ll use compressed air to clear it, and then I’ll clean the
inside of the mercury glass tubes. It’ll take one day to finish.
C/off: OK. Send two crewmembers to do the painting when the weather is good. Can you take
care of that, bosun?
Bosun: Yes, sir. We should be able to do it once we’re in the Indian Ocean.
draft: a provisional schedule, idea, plan, etc.

rusty: covered or having rust (corroded metal)
inert line: a pipeline supplying inert gas
forecast: predicted weather pattern, weather information
draft gauges: an instrument which shows a ship’s draft level
compressed air: a body of air under pressure
mercury glass tubes: glass tubes filled with mercury used to measure pressure
102. Maintenance of the Chambers
2/eng: Once a day, you must check the temperature of each chamber with these analog
thermometers.
3/eng: Yes, I will. So there’s the Meat Chamber, the Fish Chamber, the Vegetable Chamber, and
the Lobby, right? They seem to be really cool. Are the refrigerators in good condition?
2/eng: The refrigerators are fine, but the expansion valve for the Meat Chamber sticks
sometimes because of ice formation. You should keep an eye on it.
3/eng: How do you fix it?
2/eng: The key is to prevent the formation of ice in the first place by preventing air from
flowing into the system. Also, you need to remove any moisture from the system by
regularly changing the silica-gel cartridge; otherwise, it turns to ice and causes the
expansion valve to freeze up.
3/eng: Would you show me how to change the cartridge when you have the time? Are there any
other problems I should know about?
2/eng: The knob on the Fish Chamber door is broken, so please replace it.
3/eng: Do you have a new one?
2/eng: It’s supposed to be waiting for us when we get to Kashima, the next port of call. During
the next voyage, we’re going to overhaul the seawater cooling pump of No. 1 provision
refrigerator.
3/eng: I’d like to read the manual for that pump. Do you know where the instruction book is?
2/eng: Some of the instruction books are in the Engine Control Room, and the rest of them are
in the General Office. I’ll be explaining a little about the pump as we go along, though.
analog thermometer(s): a temperature measuring device which shows readings in an analog method
refrigerator(s): a machine for chilling something, esp. to enhance preservation
expansion valve: a special-purpose valve
stick(s): to become jammed or struck, to attach together, to adhere
ice formation: water or moisture turning into ice due to coldness
in the first place: first of all, before doing anything else
moisture: water content in the air
silica-gel: a desiccant, a drying agent
Kashima: a port city in Ibaragi in eastern Japan
103. Removing Old Paint
Bosun: At first, we’ll use air hammers to remove large pieces of peeling paint and rust. This area
isn’t so large.
Avarro: After that, we’ll use disk sanders, right?
Bosun: Yes. When we get to that step, we’ll divide into two groups: Group One will continue
grinding the surface, and Group Two will remove any light rust with a jetter. Remember,
never take off your protective goggles, and everyone should be working about two
meters away from one another.
Perez: There’s quite a bit of rust. And the air hammer easily removes it, but I’m still getting
tired.
Bosun: You need to hold the head of the air hammer more tightly. It takes more time when you
only hold the handle.
Avarro: Like this?
Bosun: OK, but hold the hammer at a downward angle to keep rust from spraying up.
(Later)
Bosun: OK, you can stop chipping now. you two, please use the sanders to grind off any paint
left after chipping. Remember that the paint will only adhere to properly prepared metal.
The Pump Man and I will go with the jetters.
Avarro: Perez! You can’t just tighten the sandpaper to the sander by hand. You have to use a
wrench, or else the paper may fly off and hit someone.
Perez: Oh. Is this the wrench here?
Bosun: Men, when you finish chipping, we should sweep up and apply one coat of paint.
air hammers: power tools to drive different heads (in this case paint chippers) operated by
compressed air
peeling: coming off in thin pieces or sheets
disk sanders: power tools with round, disk-shaped grinders, used to sand, polish, or brush
jetter: a tool which creates water jets
protective goggles: large glasses worn to protect the eyes
grind off: polish and remove something by scrubbing
adhere: to stick, to stay in place
coat of paint: a single application or brushing on of paint
104. Painting
3/off: Good morning, sir. The sun’s shining and there’s no chance of rain, so today looks like
the day for painting. The paint we use needs a hardener, doesn’t it?
A/off: Yes, this type of paint is called denatured epoxy. The base and hardener set up when
combined. We mix the amount of hardener that we need according to the instructions,
and then we add the hardener to the base at a ratio of one to ten.
3/off: If we don’t mix at the proper ratio, what will happen?
A/off: Well, since the paint works by a chemical reaction between the hardener and the base,
the paint wouldn’t be very permanent. But the manufacturer allows for a plus or minus
10 percent margin of error.
3/off: If we use the denatured epoxy, we don’t need to use anti-corrosive paint, do we?
A/off: Right, the two paints are anti-corrosive by different means. Marine paint, which was
popular before, prevented corrosion through a complex chemical reaction. Denatured
epoxy, on the other hand, prevents corrosion due to its thickness after it dries. It’s really
quite effective.
3/off: Does that mean that we need to apply it extra thick?
A/off: That’s right. A thickness of 100 microns is normal when brushed on, but it is about 200
microns thick when applied by spray, so it’s better to apply it that way.
3/off: How long does it take for the paint to dry?
A/off: It depends on the weather, but one hour is usually enough. It adds a whole new twist to
painting.

hardener: a chemical which helps other substances to turn solid
denatured epoxy: hydrocarbon resin with a special property
base: any material which acts as a foundation
proper ratio: mixing substances according to specified proportions
chemical reaction: interaction of chemical substances
permanent: long-lasting, lasting a lifetime
allows for: there is some room or leeway
anti-corrosive paint: a paint which fights off or resists rust
corrosion: rusting or worsening of the quality of metals, etc.
microns: one millionth of a meter, a unit of measurement
spray: a fine flow of liquid from a pressurized container
adds a whole new twist to: opens up a new way of thinking, introduces an entirely new way of
doing something
105. Greasing Up
Bosun: Hey, you forgot to grease the back of the winch here. Check behind there and add a little
grease, will you?
Ramos: Sorry. Where is it? Oh, I see. I’ll get right to it.
Bosun: This area is exposed to the sea and salt more than any other area of the ship, so if
anything here is not thoroughly greased, it will get damaged.
Ramos: OK, I’ll be more careful next time.
Bosun: This grease nipple isn’t accepting the grease, so maybe you should change it and try
applying the grease again.
Perez: Yes, sir. Hey, Avarro, do you have any new grease nipples?
Avarro: No, I’m all out. Bosun, do you have any?
Bosun: No, I don’t either. But there are some back in the Deck Tool Store. Avarro, would you go
get some for us?
Avarro: Sure.
(Avarro returns with the new grease nipples.)

Bosun: Avarro, change the one on top of the deck roller; it’s completely covered with paint, and
doesn’t work.
Avarro: OK, right away.
Bosun: This nipple has too much grease applied to it. Remember, it’s wasteful to smear grease
on the outside like that; it’ll just end up on the deck. Avarro, you can wipe up the
overflowing grease later.
Avarro: Yes, sir.
Bosun: Well, it looks like we’re finished, so let’s clean up the grease pumps.
grease: viscous (sticky) oil used as a lubricant

exposed to: not covered so is open to…
grease nipple: a small tube used to deliver and apply grease to a machine
smear: scatter, apply paint, grease, etc. in a disorderly manner
wipe up: to remove by cleaning with a rag
106. Overhauling the Fuel Oil Purifier
3/eng: First Engineer, I stopped the No. 1 Fuel Oil Purifier because it was vibrating, and I heard
a loud clanging noise during the M0 checks this morning.
1/eng: It sounds like the vertical bearing might be broken. Well, let’s check it out right now.
have you started the No. 2 Purifier already?
3/eng: Yes, I have. No. 1 Oiler, will you prepare a half-ton chain hoist?
No.1 oil: We’re using all the half-ton hoists, so I’ll prepare a one-ton.
3/eng: We’ll need empty buckets or cans to catch the gear oil that we drain. Will you tell the
Wiper to bring two empty 18-liter containers and a bag of rags?
1/eng: Third Engineer, start overhauling only after you’ve confirmed that the pump’s not
running. If it’s running, you could get seriously injured, or damage the machine.
3/eng: Yes, I’ll confirm that it’s not running. I’ve read the manual carefully, so I know the
proper procedure.
No.1 oil: Third Engineer, the purifier has completely stopped, so I’ll start opening it now.
3/eng: Let’s carry the bowl to the workshop so we can overhaul it. Please dump the drained
gear-oil into the waste-oil tank.
No.1 oil: Oh, I can see that the vertical thrust bearing is damaged.
3/eng: OK. Since we have a new one, let’s change it now. Please replace all of the O-rings at
the same time.
No.1 oil: We should be able to finish this quicker than I thought.
3/eng: Thanks for your help.

vibrating: shaking, moving back and forth
loud clanging noise: a very loud noise made by something banging into something else
it sounds like: from the description, I get the feeling that…
vertical bearing: an upright bearing
chain hoist: a lifting device which uses a chain
get seriously injured: to be hurt badly
bowl: a round vessel or container (the enclosure for the Fuel Oil Purifier gears in this conversation)
vertical thrust bearing: an upright thrust bearing which moves up and down
O-rings: flat rings used as gaskets for shock-absorbing and sealing purposes
107. The Diesel Generator
1/eng: Good morning. Are you ready to change the NO.2 Diesel generator’s cylinder cover?
You should be prepared, as we have planned the earlier.
3/eng: Yes, I have. I’ve already posted a note in the Engine Control Room that says, “We’re
overhauling the No.2 Diesel Generator, so don’t try to use it”. I posted it on the
distribution board, as well. I’ve also disabled the Engine control room’s generator
controls and enable only the local controls.
No.1 oil: The tools and spares have been ready since yesterday.
3/eng: We’re draining the jacket cooling water now, so We’ll be able to start in about ten
minutes.
1/eng: To be safe, lock the start/stop handle in the stop position. The stop valve for the air
should be shut, too.
3/eng: OK, I’ve done all that . No.1 Oiler, please get us three portable lights because the area
around the generator is dark.
No.1 oil: Yes, sir. By the way, we only have three spare cylinder cover left. Which cover should we
change first?
3/eng: How about one, two, and three , in that order?
1/eng: Tell everyone to keep clear from under the crane when it’s moving the cylinder.
3/eng: I will. But I think we’ll be all right because we’ve practiced KYT for working around
heavy lifts. Anyway, I’ll review the key points of the job with the crew.
No.1 oil: Third Engineer, the jacket cooling water has been drained, sir.
3/eng: OK, let’s get started!
posted: display, placed on a bulletin board, etc.

distribution board: tool box showing how electric power is serviced
spare parts: machine components stored for repair or replacements
jacket cooling water: circulating water in a jacket used for cooling a machine
keep clear from: stay away from, not to go near something.
108. Removing a Motor
3/eng: (Pointing) On the evaporator ejector pump starter panel, switch the power off. OK. It’s
indicating “NOT IN USE.” OK. On the local control box, set the lock in stop position.
OK, we’re ready. Let’s remove the motor.
No.1 oil: Third Engineer, remove the electric cables, please.
3/eng: Right away. No. 1 Oiler, please remove all of the coupling bolts.
No.1 oil: I’ll mark the couplings before I remove them.
3/eng: Good idea! I’ll remove the set pin and set bolts.
No.1 oil: I removed the coupling bolts. Three of the six rubber rings are damaged.
3/eng: We’ll replace them when we set the motor back up.
No.1 oil: OK, let’s remove the motor.
3/eng: Begin lifting with the chain hoist.
No.1 oil: Third Engineer, be careful not to catch your fingers there. Shall we move the motor to
the workshop and overhaul it there? It’s more comfortable in there, compared to this hot
and noisy Engine Room.
3/eng: OK, slowly put the motor on the cart. That’s good! Setting it back up is harder than
removing it, isn’t it? It must be difficult to center it right.
No.1 oil: Yes, it’s a lot harder to put it back than to take it out, but there’s no need to worry once
you get the hang of it.
3/eng: Would you teach me when we set it back up?
No.1 oil: Of course.
ejector pump: a pump which uses the force of compressed liquid, etc. to eject something
electric cables: electric wires for supplying power
coupling bolts: bolts used to connect pipes, etc.
set pin: a pin used to keep something in place
set bolts: bolts used to keep something in place
rubber rings: rings made of rubber
replace: to change, to remove an old one and put in a new one
chain hoist: device using chains for lifting heavy objects
compared to: said in reference to other things
center it right: properly align the different but matching parts
get the hang of: to know how to do a certain thing
Chapter 12. Muster Drills
109. The Drill for Abandoning Ship
(Announcement)
(“Muster Drill! Muster Drill! Muster Drill! Station for abandoning ship! All crew, assemble at the
starboard lifeboat!”)
C/off: People, put on a life jacket and hurry to the starboard lifeboat! (In front of the lifeboat,
using a transceiver) Bridge, this is the starboard lifeboat. I’ll take roll call now.
Bridge: Roger.
C/off: Stand in two rows while I call the roll. Second Mate, Second Engineer (He reads all the
names and finishes.) Bridge, roll call finished. There are 19 persons out of the total of 24;
the five not here are on duty. They are the Captain, the Third Mate on the Bridge, the
Quartermaster, Ramos, and the No. 2 Oiler in the Engine Room.
Bridge: Roger. Prepare to lower the boat.
C/off: Prepare to lower the boat, Roger. Bosun, undo the lashing!
Bosun: Roger. Undo the lashing. Avarro, untie that rope perez, take a long painter as far forward
as you can. Ramos, stand by the cradle stopper.
C/off: Bosun, stand by the break lever!
Bosun: Standing by the break lever, sir.
C/off: Remove the cradle stopper! Bridge, this is Chief Mate, standing by to lower the boat, sir.
Bridge: Roger. Lower the boat to the deck level.
C/off: Lower the boat to the deck level, roger. Bosun, lower the boat to the deck level!
Muster Drill: a drill in which everybody participates

abandoning ship: crew leaving their ship in an emergency; taking to the life boats
assemble: to gather, to come together
lifeboat: boat used for evacuation or rescue
life jacket: a floatable jacket worn to help prevent drowning
on duty: working, not resting
undo: to release or untie something
lashing: tying with ropes, making fast
long painter: a rope attached usu. to a boat’s bow and sometimes to the stern
cradle stopper: device to stop the lowering of the lifeboat cradle
break lever: a lever that releases or applies the break to allow the lifeboat to be lowered
110. Fire-Fighting Drill
(Announcement)
(“Muster Drill! Muster Drill! Muster Drill! Fire at the portside manifold! Man your stations for fire
fighting!)
C/off: Use the starboard side, which is the weather side, to get to your stations. Bosun, connect
the hose there. Avarro, stand by the turret nozzle (To the Bridge, with a transceiver) The
exact location of the fire is the No.2 line. Preparing to put out the fire. The Wiper
working here has been burned; let’s get him on a stretcher and to the dispensary
immediately!
Bridge: Roger. How bad are his injures?
C/off: He’s badly burned but he’s still conscious.
Bridge: Roger.
Bosun: All right, everyone hold the hose firmly at your waists. Chief Officer, standing by the fire
hose, sir.
C/off: Bridge, standing, by the fire hose and turret nozzle. Get ready to put out the fire! Start
the pump!
Bridge: Roger. Starting pump.
C/off: OK, the pressure’s good enough. We’ll start extinguishing the fire, sir.
Bridge: Roger. Keep updating us on the situation down there.
C/off: We should stay where we are for the time being because the fire’s very intense.
(Later)
C/off: Boy, that air-foam really works well for putting out fires. The fire is completely.
turret nozzle: a rotating structure holding a fire hose nozzle

stretcher: a flat, simple bed-like structure for carrying sick or injured people
injuries(injury): wounds, being hurt
conscious: with sensory organs fully operating, fully aware of the things gong on
extinguishing: putting out a fire
updating: give the latest information
for the time being: for now, for the moment
intense: very strong, severe
air-foam: chemical extinguisher used to put out a fire by cutting off the oxygen supply
Chapter 13. Docking
111. Meeting with the Shipyard – Deck Schedule
YD staff: Good morning, Chief Officer. Let’s start the meeting.

C/off: Yes. Second Mate, Bosun, let’s get going.
YD staff: As written in Schedule A, it takes six hours to dry her after shifting her to dry dock. Then
we’ll give her a high-pressure wash and inspect her bottom. That will take until about
13:00 on the third day.
C/off: Does that mean that we’ll be painting the hull from around day four?
YD staff: Yes, I think so. We already agreed with your company’s superintendent that we would
begin painting the hull on the fourth day. They’re going to supply a new kind of paint for
us to use this time.
C/off: Let me know when you finish sandblasting. The crew wants to see the bare hull before
you start painting.
YD staff: Yes, I’ll let you know. By the way, after going into dry dock, please siphon off as much of
the ballast as possible from No. 2 and No. 4 Center Tanks. The bottom plugs that you see
marked here will be removed, but the drying time depends on how much you can siphon
off.
C/off: I see. I’ll shut all the valves after discharging the ballast.
YD staff: Yes, please do so.
C/off: Do we have to do anything when you take out the anchor chains?
YD staff: No, you don’t. we’ll take care of everything, and it should be easy since the hydraulic
system will still be usable.
YD staff: Yard Deck staff (superintendent working at the deck yard)

high-pressure wash: cleaning with a jet of pressurized water
hull: ship’s body, shell
superintendent: high-ranking officer to oversee the work
sandblasting: cleaning the surface by blowing sand with compressed air
siphon: draw out a liquid using a siphon mechanism
discharging: eliminating or removing something
anchor chains: iron chains attached to an anchor
hydraulic system: a system powered by a compressed liquid, e.g. oil, water, etc.
112. Supervising a Job in the Shipyard
3/off: Excuse me, Chief. When will you do today’s scheduled inspection?
YD staff: We’re waiting for the inspector’s instructions when he comes.
3/off: I see. By the way, I was told that they had finished welding the crane steps. But when I
checked, I found that they didn’t do it properly. Will you tell them to finish the job the
right way?
YD staff: Let’s see … yes, you’re right. It has to be fixed. I’ll tell them to get on it right away.
3/off: Aside from that, there’s a lot of garbage that the dockhands left behind. Would you have
them get rid of it as soon as possible?
YD staff: Sure. Oh, they’ve just finished cleaning the No. 2 Center Tank. Would you give it a quick
once-over?
3/off: Yeah, sure. Hey, Bosun, the No. 2 Center has just been cleaned. I’m going to check the
inside of it, so will you have Ramos meet me there?
Bosun: He’s in the forepeak with the Second Officer right now, so I’ll grab a portable light and
go with you.
(Inside the tank)

3/off: It seems to be clean. Let’s split up. I’ll check the starboard side.
Bosun: Then I’ll check the port side. Keep an eye out for any discarded rags.
3/off: I’ve already found some. We have to check very carefully.
Bosun: You are right. I found a thin wire right here.
inspection: a check, examination

instruction(s): a set of information about how to do something
weld(ing): applying extreme heat to join two metal pieces
aside from … : in addition to, on top of that…
dockhand(s): a worker working at a ship’s dock
get rid of: to eliminate, discard, throw away
a quick once-over: a quick check or inspection
discarded rags: rags thrown away or left by someone

113. Meeting Before Proceeding to the Shipyard
C/eng: Well, finally, we’re going to dock. This time we’re supposed to have some kind of special
survey, so we might be in for a surprise. Keep on your toes, everyone!
1/eng: People can get easily injured when there’s a mess on board, so be extra careful. Besides,
now you have to look out for our crew and the dockworkers and the servicemen as well.
We have to avoid any accidents.
3/eng: I’m nervous about docking because it’s my first time. But at the same time, I’m looking
forward to it. When do we change the power source from the ship to the shore?
1/eng: We change it before pumping the water out of the dry dock.
3/eng: Why is it changed before pumping the water out of the dry dock?
1/eng: Because the diesel generator needs seawater as a coolant, and after dry-docking, there’s
no more coolant.
3/eng: I see. We have to change the power source before the coolant runs out. That’s why we
can’t use the main air compressor and why the shipyard supplies compressed air.
C/eng: Not only that, but during dry-dock, the shipyard also supplies cooling water for the
provision refrigerator and for the unit cooler in the workshop.
1/eng: Chief Engineer, we’ll soon be about 15 miles from the shipyard. We should start
reducing our speed. Shall we change the main engine’s fuel from heavy fuel oil to
diesel?
C/eng: Yes, let’s do that. Remember, safety first! Let’s ge going!
be in for a surprise: may find oneself in an unexpected situation

Keep on your toes: to stay alert and attentive
servicemen: workers who do repairs
looking forward to: wait for something with expectation; anticipate
coolant: water or air used to cool down a machine, etc.
air compressor: machine for compressing air to do work
compressed air: air under pressure
provision refrigerator: a cooling unit for preserving food
reducing our speed: decreasing or lowering a ship’s speed

114. Working in the Engine Room at Dry Dock
1/eng: Hi, Third Engineer, are you busy?

3/eng: No, not really. I just finished changing the delivery valve on the ejector pump.
1/eng: Thank you very much. Well, have you seen the Second Engineer?
3/eng: He’s at the auxiliary boiler.
1/eng: Thanks. Workers are removing the No. 2 Cylinder Piston right now. it’s a good chance to
have a look at the procedure.
3/eng: Wow, I’m really surprised! I can’t believe that such big pistons move in one-second
reciprocating strokes.
1/eng: All of the pistons and their covers will be moved to the workshop to be overhauled and
inspected.
3/eng: I’d like to see that.
1/eng: I’m going to watch this afternoon. Why don’t you come with me? And remember to
watch your feet and watch your head, too.
3/eng: Yes, I will. I just saw the big cylinder they removed. It was hanging from a hoist, and I
almost walked under it. I was lucky that the Second Engineer warned me before I made
a mistake.
1/eng: There are dangers everywhere when you’re in a shipyard.
3/eng: May I go into the empty cylinder to see the liner?
1/eng: Yes, but make sure to get permission from the guys working on it.
3/eng: OK, I will. It’s for safety and not getting in their way, right?
1/eng: That’s right. And make sure you don’t have anything in your pockets because if you drop
something in there, you’ll be in big trouble.
3/eng: All right. I’ll be careful.
delivery valve: a discharge valve

auxiliary boiler: an additional boiler
reciprocating stroke(s): a back and forth movement
be overhauled: to open up an enclosed unit to clean the inside or make repairs
get permission from: obtain approval from an authority to do something

115. Working in the Engine Room at Dry Dock
2/eng: Third Engineer, you haven’t seen the exhaust gas economizer being rinsed before, have
you? Let’s go watch.
3/eng: Great! I want to see that. Why do we have to rinse the economizer?
2/eng: It’s to remove as much soot as possible. And it’s difficult to do because we have to finish
the job as quickly as possible, even though the soot collection tank’s capacity is 30 tons.
3/eng: What’s soot collection tank?
2/eng: It’s the tank that stores the soot, and the dirty water that’s been used to clean the
economizer.
3/eng: So you mean that we can clean it thoroughly because there’s no shortage of wastewater
storage?
2/eng: Exactly. Moisture-laden soot causes corrosion, so it needs to be completely removed.
3/off: Soot can also cause fires so a very thorough cleaning is essential, isn’t it?
2/eng: Right. In the event of a soot fire the economizer can be extensively damaged, so we have
to always keep it relatively soot-free.
3/eng: So that’s why we always watch the exhaust gas temperature at the outlet to prevent and
detect soot fires.
2/eng: Yes. Ensuring safe navigation and economical operation is part of our duty. Let’s go!
exhaust gas economizer: a device for using the heat of exhaust gases
soot: fine carbon left after combustion which accumulates on exhaust surfaces
soot collection tank: tank to hold soot for future disposal
wastewater storage: tank to hold waste water until future disposal
Moisture-laden soot: soot that is wet or full of water
corrosion: rust or oxidation of metal
soot fire: a fire in which the fine carbon particles of soot ignite, creating a very dangerous condition
extensively: widely, very badly
relatively: somewhat, comparatively
exhaust gas: gases produced by combustion, which are then exhausted

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Special Features of the Book

Conversation On MerChant Vessels 4

Conversation On MerChant Vessels 5

1. On the Plane – The Customs Declaration Form

Santos: What does “Occupation” mean on this Immigration Form?

Immigration form: personal information required before entering a country

2. Talking with Other Passengers

Conversation On MerChant Vessels 6

Pass.: Passenger. a person traveling on e.g. a boat or train

C.O.: Customs Officer a public servant working at Customs

4. Meeting with an Agent: Situation (1) agent Found Easily

placard: a sign. (a piece of card with people’s names written on it)

5. Meeting with an Agent: Situation (2) agent Found Easily

(Ten minutes later)

(Ten more minutes later)

suddenly: without warning. An unexpected surprise

(Transferring from the Yamanote Line to the Tokaido Shinkansen)

(At the ticket gate)

(At a stall nearby)

transferring: changing trains – transfer = change over, move over

7. At the Mizushima Port Service Boat Station

Mizushima: a port city in Okayama, located in southwestern Japan

S. Clerk: May I help you?

S. Clerk: sales clerk

(They get in the taxi)

catch: take, take hold of…

Chapter 2. On Board a Tanker

11. Self-Introduction – The Captain’s Cabin

(After knocking at the door of the Captain’s cabin)

C/off: chief officer

12. The COC Room of the Tanker

Conversation On MerChant Vessels 16

13. Self-Introduction on a Passage

14. Being Taken to a Cabin

in service: working, in operation

15. Getting to Know the Ship – The Bridge

16. Getting to Know the Ship – Communication Facilities

Santos: Excuse me. May I come in?

mariner’s license: a license issued to seamen

17. Getting to Know the Ship – A Cabin

accommodation(s): living quarters, living areas

18. Getting to Know the Ship – The Dining Hall

C. Stew: Chief steward

Conversation On MerChant Vessels 22

opposite: the other side, the side facing you

Conversation On MerChant Vessels 23

Poop Deck: a partial deck on the stern superstructure of a ship

Conversation On MerChant Vessels 24

1/eng: first engineer

22. Getting to Know the Ship – The Engine Control Room

briefly: using just a few words, shortly

23. Getting to Know the Ship – The Galley

Santos: Is it OK if I put the dirty dishes here?

expense(s): the amount of money spent

24. Getting to Know the Ship – The Toilet

2/off: Let me show you the toilet.

COC: Crude Oil Control

25. Getting to Know the Ship – The Chamber

goods: products, merchandise

26. Getting to Know the Ship – The Deck Tool Store

A/off: Assistant Officer

27. Getting to Know the Ship – The Engine Store