15 Nov. 2016; Trans – Atlantic Crossing, Day 6.

Today we have another glorious day at sea. The low swell of yesterday has diminished somewhat and now there is for even the most persistent moaners and groaners very little to grumble about. (That does not stop them from doing so but the weather is absolutely not giving any reason to be negative)

I went on my fact finding mission last night to see the Super Moon and apart from it being a little bit brighter I did not see much difference. Not bright enough to read a book by. I suppose with the vastness of the ocean, a 13% increase in size does not mean that much. So I took my photo and will file it until 2034 when we have the next chance. I do not think I will be in the same location then but on the other hand you never know. We have regularly 100 year old people on board so nothing is impossible. I think the oldest one on board this cruise is 93 years of age and still playing a mean game of Black Jack. There is always the chance to win enough to pay for the next cruise.

Super Moon from the stern of the ms Oosterdam. Just East of the Bahamas.

Apart from a myriad of other things which I am doing while on board a ship, one is the standard topic is reviewing on behalf of the Master of the Vessel, the ships mustering procedures. This entails checking if all the paper work of the officers and crew involved in watch standing and major safety responsibilities is correct and up-to-date. Captains have to check that as well, but it is so much and such detailed work, that the time is simply not always there. You think that it would be easy having all your paperwork in order; same as carrying your passport when you go on vacation. But we have so many that it can be a real challenge. Last time I counted I had 28 certificates or papers to my name which approved me to be proficient to do something or the other and that was outside of my Masters License. Apart from the sometimes bewildering numbers, the most important ones are issued by the Country of origin of the bearer.  But they must be compatible again with International Standards and that sometimes requires a cover certificate by the Flag State of the ship.  Then there were countries who issued exemptions for certain certificates which makes it even more complicated.

Ever wondered what a Dutch Masters license looks like ?. This is it. Good for any size ship anywhere in the world.

To get things a little bit under control the IMO (International Maritime Organization) issued controlling standards and updated regulations under what we call the Manila Convention of 2010. Now by 1 January 2017 these 2010 rules will become compulsory and exemptions and national deviations are not allowed anymore. Our company, by means of the Human Resources people, has been working very hard to get everybody qualified or re-qualified before the magic date of 31 Dec. 2016. With about 9000 sea farers involved in our company that is not as easy as you think it might be as some of our crew are notoriously bad in following up and taking action during their vacation period. Even when all trainings are paid for and you get your lost days back again later. Even with a constant bombardment of emails, attacks on Facebook, one liners on twitter, there are still some out there who are hard to get out of their (beach) chair.

Thus on every ship I spend a day, going through the paper work, certificate by certificate, seaman’s book by seaman’s book. Looking if everybody will be in compliance by 31 Dec. 2016. Some crew will go home before that date and then they have their leave in 2017 to sort things out but for the rest there is the deadline and if not in compliance disembarkation will follow and no pay check until the person is back in compliance again. What I mostly find is that certificates have been left at home and/or only a copy has been brought to sea. It is quite funny to follow the hunt for these certificates. Wives at home who cannot find anything and then a domestic ensures by means of email; parents who refuse to search as son or daughter dear left such a bomb explosion behind in their room, that they have simply locked it. Then there are those who have no idea where they might have stored it.

There are always an amazing number of officers who have their certificates with them but have not signed them. An unsigned certificate is not valid, in the same way as if you not having signed your credit card. You can use it, until a clever clog turns the card around and then has to refuse it. (At least if they follow the rules) So I create some ruffled feathers once in a while but it is all in a good cause.

We have two days left at sea from today; of which 17 November will be spent sailing around Florida, due to the lack of a Cross Florida channel.

We are sailing now under that grey cloud cover but there are broken clouds so we have sun as well. In the Caribbean, you can see the rounding presence of a possible Tropical Storm but the pattern is not solid yet.

For tomorrow the weather looks nice again but the weather gurus are still worried about the system in the South Caribbean Sea which has to potential to develop into a Tropical Storm. Luckily it is going so slow that it will not affect our arrival in Tampa and neither our departure from there again.