20 November 2008, Santo Tomas de Castilla.

The weather front was creating quite some swell in the West Caribbean but as we sailed close to the coast we did not notice it very much. Wind needs a free surface on the water to whip up the waves and when you stay close to land that free surface is not there. Thus we had the wind but very little of the associated swell and that made for a nice ride to Santo Tomas. It was a bright and early arrival as well as I had to be docked by 05.30 to get the 06.00 tour on the way. The weather front did cool things down and noon temperature was at least 10oF less than normal. Also it drizzled in the morning and in the afternoon the sun had a very hard time to peak through the clouds. Still most guests were happy with the cooler temperatures.

It was a real traffic jam today at the port. One ship was going in just ahead of us and three more ships were waiting at the anchorage and would lift anchor as soon as we were docked. Then, in the course of the day, more ships were expected and so it was a busy day for all involved in the port operations.

On the Veendam it was a busy day as well. The regular boat drills were going on and also the examinations for the lifeboat handler course, as mentioned a few days ago, were taking place. The theoretical part had been done in the past few days and now it was time for each candidate to show the examiner what he or she could do in real life. The examination team consists of one examiner and one invigilator, the latter is there to insure that the exam is conducted up to standard. Both are deck officers and both have been approved by the Dutch Shipping Inspection to conduct the exams.

The candidate has to be able to carry out all the functions in the lifeboat and also to lead the crew of the lifeboat. Each lifeboat has a commander and an assistant commander plus four helpers. The tenders also have one member of the medical department on board. The idea behind this is, when all the boats are in the water after an emergency, the tenders can race around as some sort of ambulances looking after the (sea)sick and the needy. During the exam, the examiner will appoint at random a candidate to carry out a certain function and then observes the response. Each will have to show in various exercises that he or she is in full command of the boat and its functions. Thus proficiency is shown in the handling and operation of the lifeboat, the safe preparation of the lifeboat for lowering and embarkation and crow control management while the boat is underway, which includes handing out the food and water. (Plus refusing that same food and water when the time is not yet there to hand it out)

As each candidate had to carry out several functions in the lifeboat, the exams took all day to complete. Thus far it looks that only one candidate will fail, simply as he was not able to learn all the theoretical information. The course book has about two hundred pages so there is a lot to learn and not each crewmember is as bright as his peer. The one who failed will get a second chance later on, when we do our next course.

All this messing around with boats in the water attracts the attention of the authorities of course. In the morning we had asked permission for our drills and when they started we informed port control of our intentions. Sometimes a boat from port security shows up to ensure that we do not go sightseeing with the boats but only do our drills close to the ship. This time we got the full show from a boat with flashing lights and a manned machine gun. Obviously the Veendam was entitled to some high level protection.

The full day tour was back on time and thus we sailed away right on time. Tomorrow I will be arriving early in Costa Maya on request of the pilot. The Westerdam is also scheduled to arrive there as they cancelled Grand Cayman because of the weather. Therefore they will be earlier than normal. There is only one pilot in Costa Maya, seconded from Cozumel and he can only be present on one ship at the time. Thus we will come in a little bit earlier. The weather looks good, a bit of a breeze but noon temperatures should reach the low 80’s.