A Mariner’s Notebook – Page 11 – Professional Mariner

02 Sep

Greater workload means ships need to have more crew

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Publication > Professional Mariner

My dad sailed on commercial vessels as an able seaman and boatswain in the 1950s and 1960s, including several T2 tankers. I remember he told me that on a tanker bridge watch there were two able seamen and an ordinary — a helmsman, a lookout and a standby to relieve them. Even though the ships were smaller and carried only…

08 Aug

Will there be a Nicaragua canal?

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook

Will there be a Nicaragua canal? Published in 1977, David McCullough’s “Path Between the Seas” (Simon and Schuster) is a masterful detailing of the Panama Canal’s creation and so immediately, an apology to him for purloining words from the title of his truly epic work. One attempting to understand the historical background to the unfolding Nicaragua/China story could do no…

31 Jul

Advice to new mariners: embrace job variety, training, networking

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Publication > Professional Mariner

This time each year thousands of newly credentialed mariners enter our profession. If you are one of them, I welcome you to our industry and commend you on your choice of occupation. As you look for that elusive first job, you may have your heart set on getting a certain position, working for a particular company, or in a specific…

02 Jul

Chalos: Appeals court issues ruling in tugboat grounding insurance case

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Industry News

In American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. v. Dann Ocean Towing, Inc. (Case Number 13-1495), the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the District Court, holding that the choice-of-law provision in the parties’ maritime insurance contract required the application of New York’s six-year statute of limitations, rather than the equitable doctrine of laches ordinarily…

01 Jul

Fostering a successful relationship with your local Coast Guard marine inspector

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Industry News

Lieutenant Sara M. Ellis-Sanborn, US Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Portsmouth, VA Bobby Clinton III, Port Safety Officer, McAllister Towing of Virginia, Inc., Norfolk, VA Captain Wayne E. Bratton, President, Trident Marine Corporation, Cleveland, OH Intro: Transfer season has come and gone at your servicing Coast Guard Marine Inspections shop and you’re wondering what the Coast Guard will…

03 Jun

The time has come to clean up indoor air pollution on ships

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Publication > Professional Mariner

Many people think that merchant mariners spend almost all of their time outside in the fresh sea air while on board a vessel. The reality is that we spend most of our time inside. We are sleeping and relaxing in our staterooms, doing laundry or having a meal, then working inside the wheelhouse, galley or engine room for 12 or…

03 Jun

Murphy: Mariners need more hands-on Rules of the Road training

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Industry News, Licensing & Training

I would like to share a common problem that keeps showing up again and again in the “sim,” as we call it. We all are supposed to know all the Rules of the Road all the time. Or at least 90 percent of them, as that is what’s required to pass as a deck officer. But how many of those…

28 Apr

Mariners need up-to-date UHF radios and must use them properly

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Publication > Professional Mariner

There are certain radio frequencies designated for maritime UHF (ultra high frequency) use, specified in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. UHF radio waves essentially travel line of sight, but have the advantage of being able to penetrate metal bulkheads to some extent — allowing mariners to communicate with UHF radios even while inside the vessel’s house or…

25 Apr

Broadley: For proper VHF radio etiquette, remember the ‘5 Cs’

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Industry News

The marine industry is unique. Aviation relies on oversight with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directing traffic via voice radio communication to avoid aircraft incidents. Railroads use radio communication, along with visual signals, but again with oversight by the operators of the rail line. With maritime, as far as collision avoidance and Rules of the Road compliance are concerned, vessels…

02 Apr

It’s time to re-evaluate the Merchant Mariner Oath

Professional Mariner StaffA Mariner's Notebook, Publication > Professional Mariner

The Merchant Mariner Oath: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully and honestly, according to my best skill and judgment, and without concealment and reservation, perform all the duties required of me by the laws of the United States. I will faithfully and honestly carry out the lawful orders of my superior officers aboard a vessel.” Rereading…