It is getting later in the year and thus it becomes harder to arrive during day light. This morning it was just dawn, twilight, when the Rotterdam came at anchor in the Bay of Calvi. For anchoring it is not much of a problem but the more light we have the better we can see, as you never know what floats around in the water. We were all by ourselves, the Costa ship never showed up, and that made life a lot easier. Having the whole tender dock to ourselves and no wake or wash at the tender platform caused by passing tenders, very nice. The only unfortunate thing was the tender distance. The ship could have anchored closer, if this had been allowed. But the local authorities assign the anchorages and the local pilot ensured that the Rotterdam dropped the hook in the area clearly marked in the chart for anchoring.
The ms Rotterdam right in the middle of Calvi Anchorage.
The weather forecast had called for a sunny day but that took a while to materialize. On arrival it rained and it was not until late in the morning before the black clouds moved completely inland and into the mountains. Then we got wind back for it but at least it remained dry and sunny. Since yesterday the Mediterranean around Italy has landed in a bit of unstable weather, with our Nieuw Amsterdam reporting 90 knots of wind in certain areas in the more eastern part of the Med. Everybody will be keeping their eyes closely on what the weather will be doing in the coming days as we are moving closer again to the Italian mainland. All the wind is supposed to blow away but then it was also not supposed to rain this morning. Unstable weather can bring surprises.
My activities were a mixed one today. Partly for the class, partly for the ship; although taking the class with me combined things. In our emergency procedures, there is a large role for the Stairway Guides. A group of about 50 crew who stand in the staircases and direct the Guests to their Muster stations. That does not sound very difficult and it is not as long as long as it is a drill. If it would be the real thing, the real emergency, then the situation changes. Everybody gets a bit more nervous, agitated and sometimes panicky if they have not paid attention during the Safety Briefing or because family members are somewhere else in the ship. Especially if those family members are children. As these Stairway guides are in the middle of the movement of the guests, they will be fully exposed to all the drama that might ensue. Guests on the way to the cabin to collect their lifejacket and Guests already going the other way.
Professionals estimate that about 30% of all guests on board will follow the orders over the P.A. system as soon as they are given. 50 to 60 % won’t do anything and will need a lot of prodding (especially during night or dining hours) and the remainder 5% is a question mark. They might panic, they might be apathic, and they might be consumed by fear. These people need a lot of attention from the crew and it can be difficult to handle them properly. A mother will turn into a roaring lion if “little Johnny” is missing and it needs some skill to calm such a person down again and convince them that little Johnny will be found. When the Stairway Guides (mostly Concessionaires and entertainers) come on board they have no knowledge or skills to deal with this. And thus the ship will give Crowd Control Classes to all involved to give them confidence to deal with problematic situations. Calling Security might not always work, as they might be busy already anyway.
Thus the training deals with giving them some behavioral skills to deal with this and convince them that it is ok to order guests around and if needed be very strong and loud to get the message across. If I give these classes they might be able to accept that part of the training a bit more readily then when it comes from a 3rd or 2nd officer.
Calvi is a fortified town on a curved outcropping of rocks. Very strategic. They must have had a lot of problems with the “neighbours” in the past.
In the meantime the guests all went ashore, landing with the tender in the local port with the town towering over them. A pity we do not stay for the evening, there are some nice restaurants for an evening meal. But the Rotterdam has to sail at 6 pm. to be on time in Monaco. I will explain why tomorrow.
The weather looks good. It is more stable on the French side and we should have nearly wind still weather with temperatures around 18oC or 65oF.
October 17, 2015 at 11:24 pm
90 knots?? I can only imagine what it must be like to be a passenger or crew on the Nieuw Amsterdam with the taller superstructure… I can only hope people were not too seasick.
October 18, 2015 at 4:02 am
Good morning, good to see that you are still reading my blog.
I think what Capt. van Dreumel has done, is slowed down and keep the bow as much as possible in the wind and rode the waves gently.
the NA was forced to cancel several ports as they had all the same weather. so I think that the guests would have been very well
taken care off.
Best regards
Capt. Albert
October 21, 2015 at 5:11 pm
These percentages are very interesting, Captain! Thank you very much for this information as I have seen changes over the years, and wondered … .
In the past what I call, the ‘demo’ crew, would direct the passengers reporting to the muster stations where to stand. The men went to the back, and the women and children went to the front at the muster stations. Also, during the instructions over the PA the men were told to go to the back. These instructions are no more, meaning the women had better train in karate or something. They would definitely be beaten out to get a seat on the life boats as pretty big and burly men are often taking up the front row. Of course, if only 30% shows up, there would be no problem for seating.
I also noticed that sometimes small groups would chat away even turning their backs to the “demo” crew. I saw Officers who inspected the crowds, correcting the chatters to turn around and listen, only to see how the chatters gave them a look over their shoulder and continued chatting! Unless they’re bored stiff and know it all, they very likely will come under the 70% ‘other category’ in a real emergency. One Captain who reminded the “no-sho’s” by cabin number to show up at their muster stations, went into details that “in a real emergency all the cabins would be searched out by crew as the ship is sinking or burning” … Usually, shortly after the Captain can thank everybody for participating in this mandatory exercise! I suppose your classes are not meant for the passengers???