2400/0000 4th/5th of May 2011 finished my night watch for the day. Had to sleep the soonest for early morning we will be arriving in Zeerugge, Belgium.
0300H, 5th of May got a call for standby, any moment from now (usually 30 minutes from the call) tugs will come and my presence is needed in the aft station.
At 0410 ships bow is entering the lock with our tugs aft fastened 20 minutes earlier. We stayed in the lock for more than half an hour.
After a few minutes we safely berthed in Zebrugge. As soon as the ramp down, a gang of stevedores started unlashing cars.
1430H just an hour nap I got a call again for undocking. We were clear in the lock quarter past 1700. Took a fast dinner, quick warm shower to keep my spirit alive don my merchant marine uniform and relieved second officer as the OOW. Supposedly it was chief officers watch but since she asked me to take over who am I to refuse?
Before midnight we arrived in Antwerp, all fast quarter to 0200H. We stayed for an hour in the lock for we waited for small ships and bunker barge to get to the lock gate before it closes.
One stern line was adjusted in order for the ramp to go down, miscalculation and fucked up judgment call. Chief Officer understood the fact that for the three of us I was the one who had not rested well.
The fact is I knew that the position is not 100% sure but hearing the tone of Captains voice when I asked for another meter to go ahead and he said he thought it was okay I did not insist further. He was one of the calmest Master I had worked with.
One meter clearance of the flap of the ramp from the nearest bollard where my stern lines are fastened is not ideal; a tendency that one line would be hit by the ramp is of greater possibility.
I go to bed around 0230 to rest and gather as much energy for the morning cargo operation so ashamed of myself for not insisting. It’s not a major mistake for them but for me it’s a big deal.
I rest my case although I knew I could have done better. Prior to moving ahead I already suggested that it was better to move astern than to move ahead. He agreed but when we get near to the berth he changed plan.
The cargo operation during my watch ran smoothly no damage to ship and to cargo listed. At 1700H we were on stand by for station while having our dinner, pilot will board 1730 as per the latest information.
We finished station 15 minutes before 2000H. Had my tooth brushed don again my uniform and started my evening watch with pilot onboard (River Flushing Pilot). Upon reaching Flushing point I escorted a sea pilot that would take us to the entrance of Germany. The first plan is to pass by Steenbank about 21 miles shorter compared to the route we’ve taken which is north of Zeebrugge, Wandelaar Station.
I slept around 0030 the following day after handing over the watch to 2nd Mate. What a very long 2 days for me.
