Physics Reflection

Based on the article of Mr. Jerome I. Friedman, I believed that science really helps to build bridges to peace. It is because science contributes a lot of things, knowledge, literacy, and technology to us. And science has only one language which we can see as peace in the field of science. Science is subjected to many matters. Such as explaining those weird things that is naturally happening in our world. That only science can explain but there is also some that is not meant to be explained. Modern technologies, that was discovered and continuously developing by science, is aimed to use for many purposes either good nor bad. As Mr. Friedman mentioned in his article that technologies are discovered or invented to be helpful in our living but it depends upon the user if they will used it to destruct others. To solve many of our global problems, we have to improve current technology and develop innovative new technologies that have the capability to help and to destruct. This article of Mr. Jerome I. Friedman really convinced me that science helps build bridges to peace and technologies were not meant to be used for bad things, and it also prove that the study of field of science is very important for everybody; because it only helps us not to destroy us.

Basic Safety Subject

Chief mate Togonon taught us on what to do if there is a man fell overboard while the vessel is underway. First, when you saw a man fell overboard, shout loudly man overboard then specify where side. Then the Officer on watch will tell the helmsman to steer the vessel to the side where the man fell overboard. This will keep the man overboard stay away from the propeller. After steering, decide what turns to be made. There are three types of turns to be followed in different cases. These are the Single turn, Williamson turn and the schamor turn. Hoist flag and sound distress signal to inform the other vessel that you have a man fell overboard and inform them to clear the specified area. And then save the man that is fall overboard.Falling overboard can be prevented. Just follow instruction and stop horseplay.

Ship Visit

Yesterday (November 15, 2007) before going to batangas city, Capt. Gines told us first on what to do when going onboard M.V. STRAITS SUCCESS. He also told us our objectives in that trip. When arriving to port, we wait for 3hours because the ship arrived late. When the ship is berthed on starboard side alongside (means right side of the vessel is berthed to pier), I saw thousands of cars that is discharged by the ship.
When going to the ship, we first take the forward and amidships drafts of the ship but we were not able to take the draft in the aft part of the ship because it’s in discharging operation. Our group is the first one who visits the bridge. We first take a look at the map and get the variation and the heading of the ship using the wharf edge method. And then we take the tide data which is prepared by the 2nd officer before entering batangas strait. After jutting down the necessary data we need, we take a look at the critical machinery on the bridge such as MFHF (medium frequency, high frequency), GPS (global positioning system), Navtex, Gyro Compass, Navigational lights etc. After visiting the bridge Boatswain Gonzales tour us in the deck and point out different machinery and explain their function.

Basic Safety Subject

Yesterday (November 13, 2007), Boatswain Gonzales taught us about fire. He first told us about the fire triangle by which fire is created. These are oxygen, heat, fuel. He also mentioned to us that not all types of fire extinguishers can be used in all kinds of fire. There are separate fire extinguishers to be used in killing different types of fires. After our discussion about this topic, now I know what the elements of fire are and if one of these elements is absent, fire stops. And I am now aware that not all the types of fire extinguishers can be used in different kinds of fire.

Navigation subject

Last week Capt. Gines recall to us the meaning of navigation. The first topic that he discusses to us is about tides and currents. And our present lesson for this week is about compass. After he finishes discussing the tides and currents, I am now able to differentiate the tide from current. Tide is the rise and fall of ocean water in a day while current is the horizontal movement of water. And now in our present lesson which is about compass and bearings, I have learned where is the point of reference of each compass pointing to the north that is affected with deviation, variation, and compass errors.