EARTH

Brief explanations from the perspective of a professional seafarer:

                                                    

1.    Shape of the Earth: The Earth is not a true sphere. Its shape is that of an oblate spheroid, the equatorial diameter being more than polar diameter. The equatorial diameter is 7926.7 statue miles while the polar diameter is 7899.5 km statute miles. In kilometers the equatorial radius is 6378.16 and the polar radius is 6356.77 km. The difference of about 27 miles between these diameters as compared to the average diameter of 7913 miles is so small that the Earth may be considered a true sphere for most purposes.

2.     AXIS: The axis of the Earth is the diameter about which it rotates.

3.    Poles: The geographical poles of the Earth are the two points where the axis meets the Earth’s surface.

The Earth rotates about its axis once a day. This rotation carries each point on the Earth’s surface towards East. West is the direction 180° from East, North is the direction 90° to the left of East, and South the direction 90° to the right of East. The two poles of the Earth are designated North Pole and South Pole, accordingly.  

4.    A Great Circle: is a circle on the surface of a sphere, the plane of which passes through the centre of the sphere.

There is only one great circle through any two points on the sphere’s surface, except if the points are at the two ends of a diameter when an infinite number of great circles are possible.

5.    A small circle: is a circle on the surface of a sphere, the plane of which does not pass through the centre of the sphere.

6.    Equator: The Equator is a great circle on the surface of the Earth, the plane of which is perpendicular to the Earth’s axis. The Equator divides the Earth into the north and the south hemispheres. Latitudes are measured North or Equator.

Apostleship of Sea: beacon of light for seafarers, families

The Church’s ministry to seafarers and their families, through its Apostleship of the Sea and its chaplains and volonteers in ports around the globe, offers “a beacon of light” for those who have sailed for weeks without spiritual care or contact with the outside world. That’s the message of encouragement that the President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants, Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò imparted to participants at the Apostleship of the Sea Congress that opened in the Vatican’s Synod hall Monday.

The some 400 delegates have come from seventy countries to study the challenges to their ministry and how best to implement Pope Benedict’s call to the New Evangelization in the Church’s pastoral work.

John Green, Director of Development for the Apostleship of the Sea Great Britain says the Church’s ministry to seafarers and their families means “working not only to support their work/welfare, but also to support their faith because for many of these people (ed. who spend weeks or even months at sea), it is very very difficult for them to access pastoral care, to be supported in their life of faith.”



Listen to Tracey McClure’s brief interview with John Green:

Annual Vatican message for seafarers

The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People has published its annual message for seafarers.

“Seafarers and their families are not invisible to God and to the Church,” the pontifical council stated.

“We see seafarers working in substandard conditions on board old and rusted vessels, victims of criminalization, abandoned and often with their salary not paid on time or not paid at all … We see seafarers as family members, forced to live far away from loved ones and friends for many months at a time, sharing the limited space of the vessel with other crew members of different nationalities. We see seafarers as individuals who show in simple ways their deep trust in God, seeking guidance and strength by attending Mass and prayer services or praying privately.”

“We want our Christian communities and society at large first of all to recognize seafarers as human beings who contribute to make our life more comfortable and to give thanks for their work and sacrifices,” the message continued. “We also hope to publicize that they need protection from abuse and exploitation.”

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!!!