Captain's Diary: A Personal Review of Troubled Waters

The Rev. Jerry Jecewiz

FROM THE PASTOR...

Dear Parishioners,


One of our active parishioners, John DeSilva, is a Marine Captain, who is currently commanding a ship a half-a-world away. John newest book (he's published several) is Troubled Waters: Mv Adventures at Sea. John and his wonderful family arrived in L.I.C. from Sri Lanka a few years ago.

Although I enjoyed skimming the volume and noting how John keeps his Catholic faith in focus, I invited another parishioner (and bibliophile) Brenda Frenette to offer us a report on this work. 




In this memoir, Captain John DeSilva describes daily life aboard a cargo vessel at sea for months at a time, traveling to numerous exotic ports in faraway lands, during its voyage around the Cape of Africa.

The crew of 23 consists of various ethnic backgrounds and languages, and runs the gamut from able-bodied seamen to incompetent and villainous troublemakers who must be dealt with.

As the tropical temperatures soar, fights break out and machines break down. An infestation of rats and roaches forces the men to abandon ship for a few days for fumigation.

Much of the Captain's time is spent dealing with local petty officials who demand bribes be- fore handing over important documents, permits and passes. The foundering shipping company can- not cope and is unresponsive to all these problems. It is clear that all these responsibilities are on the Captain's shoulders. Luckily, he is up to the task.

Meanwhile, the sea can be both beautiful and hazardous; the voyage continues. In one harrowing scene we see Captain DeSilva berthing a 485 foot-long ship in an unmarked and uncharted channel. It is then that we see the Captain's knowledge and precision in navigating his vessel.

Throughout the four-month voyage, Captain DeSilva is sustained by his strong faith in God. He constantly asks for God's guidance whether in mediating among various groups, or in advising young men who want to consider the seafaring life, or in restoring a young prostitute to the bosom of her family.

The journey concludes with Captain DeSilva's return to his loving family. You will be pleased to note that Captain DeSilva and his family have been members of St. Raphael's for several years. We are blessed!


Thank you, Brenda. Captain John looks forward to obtaining his U.S. citizenship in the near future and, hopefully, commanding local vessels in nearby waters. Hope you get to meet this fine man at St. Raphael's. As they say, one never knows who is worshipping with you in the next pew!

- Father Jerry Jecewiz

Captain's Diary: Family On Board “Pacific X-Press”

I am in command of m.v.”Pacific X-Press” from May 2012.  My wife Subitha, and daughter, Stephanie  joined the ship  on June 11,2012, at the port of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. They sailed with me for one week. During this time the ship called two ports: Acajutla in El Salvador and Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala.

My daughter’s birthday is on 10th of June. We celebrated the same  at sea on the 13th of June. 

 All Officer’s and the Ratings other than the Watch Keepers attended the party. I am sure for Stephanie this will be a memorable birthday celebration. It all started with following traditions: cutting the birthday cake.  Only thing is our Chief Cook has forgotten to remove it on time from the cold room, and we all had to patiently wait until it thawed and we were able to cut it.

All the Officer’s and Ratings on board are from Sri Lanka.

It took a while for the party to gather momentum. Well, then it was usual drinking, singing and dancing. .. And,  with all the fun they were having, all Officers and Ratings attended the party were alert all the time, bearing in mind that all of us are on board a ship and the ship was at sea. 

Chief Engineer, who likes to dance, opened the floor.  He is a great dancer, too. Well, it was stag-dancing all the way, and I am sure they all missed some female company! 

There is a drum-set made on board by a former Bosun: Roshan Mendis, a Sri Lanka. And, also there was one guitar. The Engine Cadet could do a little bit of rhythm.  But over all singing, mostly Sinhala pop and baila was great. Baila also called Kaffringa is a kind of Portuguese music.  Portuguese had invaded and ruled part Sri Lanka in 1500 century.  These are a part of Portuguese culture that had been induced in Sri Lankans living in Coast al areas. 

The party started at around 7.30 PM and around 10.30 PM I decided say, “Good night and God bless”, and left the party with my wife and daughter. However, as a practice, about ten minutes prior to leaving I informed the Chief Officer and the Chief Engineer and officially handed over further proceedings of the party to them. It was great party! Thanks to Chief Officer and Chief Engineer.

I am very proud to announce that this vessel has a well disciplined and very hard working and reliable set of Officers and Crew. Sri Lanka Officers, and ratings, generally are like that.

Thereafter, it was good and peaceful sailing for my wife and daughter, until effects  of the nearby hurricane changed the sea and wind. My wife was feeling a little bit sick and I advised her to go and get some fresh on a bridge wing. It was about 2200 hours and I too went with her. Oh, it was more than fresh air. The wind speed was about 40 to 45 knots. After little while my wife was feeling good and we proceed to my day room.

They managed to spend a little time out in both ports. Apart from a excellent sea-food dinner, there was the opportunity of listening to good Spanish music provided by a Quartet at the table-side.  It was good show – we all like Spanish music and dancing. 

Captain's Diary: Somalia

It’s so unfortunate that some countries never see the sun rise, meaning “peace and prosperity”. They continue to remain beyond the sunset.

Somalia is a good example: It was February 1976; the ship I was sailing was carrying 10,000 metric tons of bagged cement, loaded at the ports of Wismar and Rostock. (Two ports in East Germany - prior to its unification.) The cargo was consigned for Somalia; it was aid from the UN, which would assist in building a poor nation.

It was around March 1976, four days after our ship had crossed the Suez -canal and sailed through to the Red sea we arrived at the Mogadishu anchorage. After the ship’s arrival, it was almost twenty four hours, and still there was no sign of anybody coming aboard or even communicating with us. The deafening silence made the captain very anxious, and since observing there was a boat service to and from the shore he asked Peter (the Purser) and me to go ashore, visit the ship’s agents, collect crew mail and any other documents required for the ship and most importantly to find out when they were planning to commence cargo operation. He also asked Peter to take a few cartons of cigarettes to be given to the Somalis, so as to drive them into action.

We gladly took this opportunity to go ashore, having visited the agent's office and met with the Managing Director who welcomed us but subsequently continued with his own work, indifferent to us being there. It was only after Peter had handed over a carton of cigarettes to him that he broke the silence, having ordered two cups of black tea for us he was ready to discuss matters pertaining to the cargo on our ship.

In the meantime, I collected the mail that had arrived for us; there was quite a lot of it and was very welcome because this was the only mode available for communicating with our families back home. On returning to the Managing Director’s office he advised us that it would take a few days before our cargo operations commenced as there were only few barges; other ships which had arrived earlier were discharging cargo too. Having decided to expedite the cargo operation I mentioned that I would tell the Captain to 'look after' him. He was delighted and ordered some more tea! Thereafter he promised that he would definitely do something. With the good news and the crew mail, Peter and I returned to the ship.

The Captain was anxiously waiting for our return. On boarding the ship we got a rousing welcome more so because we were bringing in the mail that was much looked forward to by all. The Captain was very happy to hear that our mission had been successful. As promised by the M.D, a barge was towed alongside the ship around 9.00 a.m. in the morning and discharging of the cargo began, surprising us at the unexpected turn of events.

The cargo, which had been carefully loaded in East Germany, was now being handled in a careless manner causing a lot of damage. Somalia being one of the poorest nations receives huge amounts of aid, however it seemed that the aid received did not reach the intended destinations, but huge amounts of it was destroyed to suit the whims and fancies of a few in authority.

Two days after the commencement of cargo operations, the Managing Director sent word requesting the Captain to meet him; Peter and I went ashore with the Captain.

On meeting us he inquired about the cargo operation and impertinently mentioned that he was helping us with great difficulty. For this he wanted us to give him cash in US dollars, Scotch whisky and cigarettes. After agreeing to make the payment requested Captain further agreed to send the other items he had asked for.

On leaving the office Captain very disgustingly said,” I am sickened about the whole thing, you know I do not take bribes, nor do I offer them. But, under these circumstances I was forced into this unethical dealing.”



He requested Peter to handle this matter on his behalf; Peter agreed.

Peter and I returned ashore on the following morning, with the cash and other items. It was Peter who met alone with the Managing Director, who on receiving the goods, assured that the discharging of cargo for Mogadishu would be completed within seven days.

Knowing very well he could not take the Managing Directors assurance for granted; Peter attempted to pay the cash in installments but failed sadly. On this occasion, we both spent the night-out ashore, trying to make the best of an otherwise boring and sometimes depressing sea life.

Having observed the way things were handled at the MD’s office, the lethargic attitude and furthermore the way the stevedores handled the cargo, with most of it being dropped into the water, made us sad for the future of the country and its people. We were surprised further when we got to know that the cargo dropped into the sea was intentional, done just to show resistance to the MD’s order to discharge the cargo within the said time frame. It was such a sad sight to see humanitarian aid, meant for building the country being misused

During our stay in the port, I observed that the stevedores who were working continuously on 24 hour shifts were almost starved, the only food they ate was boiled corn and some thing made of flour. On meeting with the Ship’s Chief Steward I advised him to collect the left over food after the ship’s crew had eaten, and give it to them. When the food was handed out, they came in groups; hands covered with cement, they just grabbed their share. It was indeed a pathetic sight!

From the total of 10,000 metric tons of bagged cement only 5,000 metric tons were discharged in Mogadishu, the balance was to be unloaded at Kisimayoo, another port in Somalia.

It was March 11th 1976 when our ship arrived in Kisimayoo. Handling the ship’s operation was a Company representative. We observed right away that it was a one man show with Mr. Ali being the Pilot, the Harbor Master, the Port Manager and all, in one. He berthed our ship around 12 noon. Soon after which he joined us for lunch, prior to his lunch he had few cans of beer. During lunch he discreetly told us about the powers vested in him and how important a person he could be to us, during our stay here.

The only difference between Mogadishu and here was that the, ship was now alongside a wharf; otherwise everything else was just the same. Every morning after breakfast, Mr. Ali would yell at almost every local who came his way; this seemed habitual as nobody actually took notice of him.

It seemed that Mr. Ali had been bribed to prepare and sign documents for the receipt of 5,000 metric tons of bagged cement but whereas in actual the ship sailed away still having onboard at-least 2,000 MT of cargo which was jettisoned during the voyage back.

The bottom line is that 10,000 MT of bagged cement was destined for Somalia. However The Managing Director of the shipping agency in Mogadishu was bribed to accept less and the country lost more than 1,000 MT of cement. Similarly, Mr. Ali at Kisimayoo accepted a bribe and let the ship sail away with almost 2,000 MT of cement still onboard.

Though the cement was for the benefit of thousands of the Somali people, the whole exercise was reduced by almost half, just for the benefit of two unscrupulous persons!

With similar dishonest acts by the people in authority it is not strange that the country experiences civil unrest, anarchy, piracy and much more.

When will the Somali people see the sun-rise?

Captain's Diary: Today, 18.07.2012, the vessel was ready to sail from Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.

As  I browsed through the ship's emails I found one flagged urgent: Please tell, Nandana, Able Bodied Seaman to call home immediately.

The crew member was at the wheel at the time of sailing. I waited until the Pilot left and the ship was out of approach channel. Once everything was okay, I conveyed the message to Nandana. 

This crew member at that time did not have $ 30 to buy a satellite phone card. But I arranged that for him. Next thing I knew was he called his wife… And,few minutes later,appeared in front of me in my cabin, he looked devastated and told
me: “Sir, my father has passed away. He was 97 years old but was fit enough to do all his work. My brother who is there will take care of the funeral-proceedings.” 

I could see Nandana was devastated.  I tried to console him. ”You know, before we all came out to sea by taking-up these jobs we knew very well that sooner or later we might have to face such a situation,"  I continued, "I faced this same situation on dry land when I was sitting for my Master’s exam in Sydney, Australia. I finished the first paper and returned home when I received the sad news that my father had passed away.
 
What  am I to do. I worried. I just could not abandon the exam and return to Sri Lanka. My father was a living God to me, and I could not attend his funeral…

So, he listened to me very carefully, but tears were poring down his cheeks. My heart went out to him.  What came to my mind was the song:  “Nearer my God to thee….’
 
This is the life of a seafarer; just one small incident.

Captain's Diary ... Life And Its Changing Waves of Fury

It was a fine Saturday evening in the month of February in 1975. Our vessel was double-banked on the starboard side to another which was berthed alongside in the port of Karachi.

Our cargo was discharging into barges. I was engaged in my routine Cadet’s duties. I thanked God above that the Chief Officer at that time was a kind gentleman who did not gain any pleasure in the fears and miseries of Cadets. Hence, we Cadets were not given a hard time.

The only time the Chief Officer made me jitter however during our stay in Karachi was when he borrowed my shore pass and galloped happily away for horse racing.

Indian crew were not allowed ashore in Pakistani ports, and the same rules applied to Pakistanis in Indian ports. It was not very pleasant, but that was the policy of the respective governments during that time.

However, this was how it was in the era gone by.

The Master of the vessel was Captain Chris Naire. His original name had been Krishnan Nair but had changed it before he got married to his long -time fiancée, who was a Christian from Bangalore. That however was the power of love…

To us he was Captain Chris Naire. Before he joined the merchant navy he had been an officer in the Indian Navy, a Commander by rank.

Anyway on this Saturday – the time was around 1800hrs. I was getting ready to go ashore with the Radio Office when there was a hard knock on my door. It was the third officer.

“Hey, where the hell are you trying to go?” he yelled as soon as the door was opened.
“The Chief Officer wants you to put up a small table on the boat deck – port side and get three chairs, some glasses, now I don’t have to give you the entire list. Get going!” He bellowed before he disappeared.

It was my one Saturday off – and with it the golden opportunity to go out and explore.

“Well, life is like that,” I sighed resignedly.

But the working spirit reigned supreme in me. I changed my attire immediately and informed the Radio Officer of the latest developments.

“Don’t change your clothes, the Mate invited me for a drink. When I meet him there, I will put in a word on your behalf.  It should work!” he assured.

I thanked him and rushed to the boat deck. When the task was done, I informed the Chief Officer. He gave me a bottle of scotch and some beers to be placed on the table.

The Chief Officer, Purser and Radio Officer came in. And the party gathered momentum. I was on ‘stand by’ a task that largely involved replenishing the disappearing stocks.

It all began with a serene quietness and then partying picked up. Thereafter it became notably noisy. The Sri Lankans on the vessel were the Radio Officer, Purser and I. The Purser, Anton Jayasuriya had been a Chief Petty officer in the Sri Lanka Navy. He had joined the merchant navy following his early retirement from the Navy.

Anton was different. He stammered. It was more pronounced, when he was angry or excited.

I was very unhappy about what had happened to me. But my distress seemed to be short lived! My ears picked up  the Radio Officer obtaining permission from the Chief Officer to take us  -- the two cadets   out on Sunday. It was great – very great,  indeed.

The Captain came out and saw partying threesome. He did not join them but said, ”Mate you and Sparks come to my cabin and we will continue.” I did not hear him inviting the Purser. “Well,” I thought, “individual invitations may not be necessary.”

I could not help but observe that the relationship between the Captain and the Purser were purely official.

While turning back to go into the accommodation, the Captain looked at me and said, ”You better continue your good work -- organize everything in my day room.” I ran-up and began arranging the drinks. The Captain walked in with the Chief officer and Radio officer. He knew that the Purser was not there but apparently did not care to call him.

The three were just settling for the first drink in there when the Purser walked in and sat down. I did not waste any time but offered him a glass. He grabbed it and poured himself a drink, and said “Cheers, sir!”

The Captain was silent and looked somewhat uncomfortable too. When the time was up for the second drink, while replenishing his glass the Captain looked directly at the Purser, chuckled, with an egotistical note said  "You know Anton, this is the first time, I am having a drink with a Purser!”
 
Anton nodded. I wonder whether he really accepted and agreed with the essence of the statement or was merely being polite.

The message of this single statement of the master hit me instantly. The others were trying to absorb it all and were looking at each other almost wondering whether they heard right.
Anton served himself another drink, and gestured to the Captain to stop what he was saying. And then with painful difficulty slithered the words,” Sirrrrrr, thisisis thethethe firrrrrrrst taaaaaime I aaaaam aaaaammmm haaaaavving aaa driiiiinkkkk wiiiith aaa Caaapttaaain.”

“There you  are Anton, then you must thank me for tolerating you,” said the Captain pompously.

But Anton had not finished his piece…..” Nooooo Siiiir, I usssssed tooooo driiiiink wiiiith Adddddmirals”.

I could not stop laughing and my laughter was not heard or felt because the other two officers laughed out so loud.

The Captain was aghast and speechless. He removed his spectacles a few times and put them back on.

And breaking the pin drop silence which followed the loud laughter, he invited others to re-fill their glasses. This time, passing the bottle to the Purser and nodding his head, "I will take that one… But, Anton, it never happened in the Indian Navy…” uttered the Captain.

Thereafter, from the way he treated the Purser, he appeared to have learnt to accept the Purser. We all make mistakes and he ( Captain) was a gentleman.

It turned out be a very good evening, at the end.

That night the Captain must have pondered over the whole scenario.

The next morning he wanted go to the doctor. We were surprised when he invited the Purser join him.

The agents were arranging a vehicle but as usual the Captain was in hurry and left the vessel to go to the agents’ office.

About two hours later the Captain returned to the vessel with the agent but the Purser was not anywhere around. Later we learnt that the Purser had been admitted to the accident ward of a private hospital as he had sustained minor injuries after an  accident.

As there had been no taxis – they had been forced to hire a three- wheeler to go to the city. On the way however it had collided with a truck.

The patient however returned to the vessel hale and hearty but the healthy man who went along to help the patient was now in pain - undergoing treatment.

A day later, with the grace of God, the Purser was discharged and brought back to the vessel as the doctor had declared him fit for work….

And he was recovering.

These are but mere happenings in this journey called life.

The gentlemen have now reached their destination. They are now in eternal rest. May their souls rest-in-peace.

Captain's Diary ... Hey, who says that Two in five seafarers are snoozing while on watch due to fatigue?

According to a study carried out by a group of Marine Professionals on seafarer fatigue, it has been found that two in five seafarers might be snoozing while on watch.

The study included seafarers who were on" six on, six off" watch and others on" four on, eight off" watch regime.

It was also noted that this does not occur during 6.00 to 12.00 watch but possibilities are, it could be at very high levels on midnight to 4.00 AM watch.

My own thought: less number of crew and very heavy work loads -- fatigue is an ultimate result.

Who will do and what? We will wait and see!!!

Captain's Diary ... A Word to the Wise.

A British Cadet says he took up the seafaring career, to see the world, and it was said to be very high paying, too. But he has been at sea now for four months and so far all has seen is a concrete jungle in Jubail, Saudi Arabia and a Chemical terminal in Kuwait! He also says the wages are not what he expected and the conditions are better in a prison in the UK!

Oh! That sounds very bad.

There is something this young man appears to have missed, he is still an apprentice. Therefore, he is not entitled to all the luxuries on a ship. He will eventually get everything on his way up the ladder when he is certified and gains more experience.

I fully agree with him, working conditions at sea are very difficult, just like any other job in the world. But for a start he must endure and be tenacious. During my time, there was nothing called mandatory rest hours. The Chief officer got most of the work, we (cadets) had to do the work so that his crew did not have over time. In spite of all that I stayed the course and did my job and I am here today, a ship's Captain. I must also mention, most of the work that I did then I have since put into practice and it is what I learned from the Captains and Chief Officers that I worked under.  So,it goes both ways!

So, young man hold on.

Captain's Diary ... Back to Sea

When I came onboard on May 15th, the out-going Master, Captain M. Krup, gave me a rousing welcome. My first look at him; he looked very tired.  After five months out to see no wonder he is tired!

It was about lunch time but I wanted to have a cup of tea. From the tea that the steward brought, I knew, I already had a problem on my hands.  Capt. Krup’s report confirmed my thoughts. By the looks of him  he seems a bit over weight and carrying his own weight seems a problem.

Captain Krup handed over the ship’s documents, etc.,  and everything was in  fine order.  After signing a few documents I finally took over my command. Captain Krup left the ship around 8.00 Pm and we sailed out at 10.30 PM.

Back to sea…it was a clear night with an unobstructed view of  the milky- way-galaxy. We made our way across the ocean  taking a westerly course and then south towards the destination of Acajutla the only port in El Salvador.

While in transit to the Gulf of Tehuantepec we encountered choppy seas .

To be continued...

Captain's Diary ... Thought of the day ...

It is customary on ships, on Sunday's (not every Sunday) to make an inspection of the accommodation, which includes the cabins.

A few years ago, on a ship that I commanded, I was on my Sunday rounds. And in of the crew cabins I found a poster and it read:

" Sea is my Country

  Ship is my Home

  Duty is my life

  Who is my wife"

Yes, my crew member has written it after a lot thought, I am sure...

Captain's Diary ... Arrival

It was not easy to leave my family and join my ship at Lazaro Cardenas  but, this is the  profession I love and I take my responsibilities as a Ship's Captain seriously.  I left home around 9.00PM US-EST on May 14th. I used the usual cab, driven by Hector, who has been serving us for the last four years.

I flew to Mexico city by AeroMexico. Once I boarded the airplane I felt that I was already in Mexico. Such a wonderful place of friendly men and women and I especially enjoy their music.  I'm always happy to return.

After a bumpy five hour flight the plane touched down at Mexico city airport, on-time.

The agent was there to meet me. At the airport I met up with two other crew members who were travelling from Sri Lanka to join the same ship. I was happy to have some company. Thereafter, we took the connecting flight to Lazaro Cardenas.

There was a surprise waiting for us at the airport. Unfortunately it was not a pretty Mexican girl waiting to greet us!! The baggage of my two crew members had not arrived on the same airplane.

Well, well well... I haven't even boarded my ship and I've already started work. I requested that the agents get the missing bags on the evening flight the same day. And they did it! Bravo!

I came on board.   At the gangway was the familiar face of a crew member watching the main entrance point to the vessel.  He sailed with me on the same ship last year.


to be continued.