26 June 2008, At Sea.

We had a repeat of last cruise southbound, very windy and rainy weather, on our way down to Vancouver. While Vancouver city itself was bathing in summer temperatures; in the Queen Charlottes it was autumn weather, if only just for one day. It is amazing what one mountain ridge on Vancouver Island can do to the weather. Sunshine on one side, rain and storm on the other side. Apart from the rain and the wind, fog banks had formed between the islands and that meant that there was not much use to go sightseeing to Alert Bay. So we took the other route sailing via Blackney Passage, which is very scenic as well but not as confined as the approach to Alert Bay.

We had on board a few events to celebrate. First of all there was the graduation class of the lifeboat handler course. Twice a year we conduct a six week training class for new crewmembers to become proficient in the handling of lifeboats and life rafts and get trained in Survival at sea techniques. It is officially called the CPSC course, or Certificate of Proficiency Survival Craft and Rescue boats. The deck officer on board in charge of the life saving equipment conducts this course which is part theory and part practical training with the lifeboats and the life rafts. The junior officers attend a special training course for this in Holland, so they know what standards need to be achieved to comply with Flag state safety requirements and they also then have the right to do the exams. These exams are overseen either by me or by the Chief Officer to ensure that the required standard is upheld during the examination. Upon completion of the class, a certificate is issued by the Dutch Government that is recognized worldwide. We normally throw a little party to celebrate the achievement.

The Veendam spring CPSC graduation class with crew from the various departments on board. Photo Courtesy– Jackson Thakker Veendam chief photographer

Another recognition that takes place is the monthly HESS award. At least we hope that it can be awarded on a monthly basis. HESS stands for Health, Environmental Safety and Security. We have a suggestion box on board where each crewmember can deposit idea’s that will lead to improvement of life onboard, safety issues or operational improvements. Once a month the best idea is awarded $ 100, — and the idea is shared fleet wide for consideration and implementation. This month we had various suggestions again but one clearly came out on top. An engine room rating suggested to relocate a temperature sensor inside the ships garbage incinerator in such a way that the same output could be achieved while burning considerably less fuel. The company also produces a monthly newsletter that publishes all these ideas’s from around the fleet so that the various ships can implement as well. Quite often it are little things and issues that are brought forward but when seen in a company wide perspective, each idea can have a big and positive impact on the ships operation.
On the photo Environmental Officer Joe Parks, Mr. Suratno Fireman/greaser and HESS idea winner, Capt. Albert Schoonderbeek and Chief Engineer Gerard Mensink. Photo Courtesy – Djordje Komlenski Veendam ships photographer.

It remained rainy for most of the day, and by 11 pm. while we were lining up for the Seymour Narrows, fog started to develop. Luckily we zipped through the hole before the fog started to get in the way of the safe navigation and it was all clear again by the time we passed Campbell River on Vancouver Island. Although you always like good visibility, around this time of the year it is even more important. The fishing season has opened and many fishing boats are on the move. Their skippers do not always have good local knowledge of the area they travel through and their boats do not always show up on the radar. Especially the older ones, made of wood, are sometimes hard to see. Due to lack of knowledge or good charts, quite a few of the boats tend to travel in the middle of the fairway where also the bigger ships are. Passing or overtaking in the fog becomes then a bit of a problem. They don’t move and we can’t move. If we can see them, we might be able to pass a little bit closer then we would do, if it is dense with fog.

Tomorrow we are in Vancouver and it is supposed to be a sunny day with temperatures in the mid 70’s.