Basic Safety Subject

This morning, Sir Boatswain Gonzales taught us on how to enter in a confined space where there are no lights and air. First, he taught us to wear SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), protective helmet and fire ropes. Fire ropes are used for signaling whether the fireman is in need for assistance, if he is alright, if he is going ahead, and if he is going back. There should be a tainter man who will hold the fire ropes and will received the signal from the fireman.

When the fireman touch the based of the confined space, he should pull the fire ropes only once, which means he is alright, and then the tainter man will repeat it by pulling the fire ropes once then slack the fire ropes. Then if the fireman pulls the fire rope twice, it means that he is going ahead, and then the tainter man will also pull the fire ropes twice then slack the fire rope. Pulling the fire ropes thrice means that the fireman is going back, and then the tainter man will also pull the fire ropes thrice. When the fireman pulls the fire ropes four times, it means that he needs back up, then the tainter man will also pull the fire ropes four times, then he should send a backup person to the fireman.

Basic Safety Subject

Yesterday in our Basic Safety Subject, Sir Boatswain Gonzales taught us on how to kill fire using water fire extinguisher. First, he told us that before anything else, we should take out the pin of the fire extinguisher and check the gage. Before approaching the fire, we should test if the fire extinguisher is working, then we should hold the nozzle in downward position. When approaching the fire we should bend our body so that when the fire becomes larger it will not harm our face. When killing the fire, we should sweep the nozzle to the base of the fire and not to the wall so that the fire will not spread. In case the gage of the fire extinguisher is pointing in recharge label, we should always have extra fire extinguisher.

Seamanship Subject

Last wednesday in our Seamanship subject, Capt. Nikulus Gines taught us the 2 different rule of ventilation inside the cargo hold. Cargo hold is the space in a vessel where the cargo is stored.

There are various things to be consider in transporting cargoes from one place to another. First, when the vessel is navigating either cold place to warm place or warm place to cold place. We should ventilate the cargo hold so that the cargo or the vessel will not sweat.

The first rule in ventilating the cargo hold is the three degree rule. This means that if the dry temperature outside the cargo hold is lower than the dry temperature inside the cargo hold, we should ventilate; and if the dry temperature outside of the cargo hold is higher than the dry temperature inside the cargo hold, we should not ventilate.

The second rule in ventilating the cargo hold is the dew point rule. Dew point is the temperature where condensation occurs. Dew point rule state that if the dew point temperature outside the cargo hold is lower than the dew point temperature inside the cargo hold, we should ventilate; and if the dew point temperature outside the cargo hold is higher than the dew point temperature inside the cargo hold, we should not ventilate.

Basic Safety Subject

Yesterday in our basic safety subject, Sir, Boatswain Gonzales taught us on how to embark a lifeboat and how to use oars. First, he told us to wear our cover all, lifejacket and helmets.

He told us that the group sub-leader is the first one who will embark the lifeboat. The group sub-leader should sit in front of the lifeboat, facing the bow. Persons who will use the oar are the next to embark. The first person will sit to the port side then the next person will sit to the starboard side. The group leader is the last one to embark the lifeboat. He will sit at the aft part of the lifeboat where the tiller is place. The group leader is the one who will command and give the rowing orders.

The group leader will command “up-oars” which mean the oars will be raised vertically with blades facing forward and aft. The second command is “out-oars” which means the oars will be put to the rowlocks. The third command is “give way together” which means the signal to begin pulling. Then when going alongside, the group leader will command “in-oars” which means to pull the oars in and lay it in the boat.

My Predictions for the year 2008

I predict that the year 2008 will be an exciting and a hard year for me. It will be a hard year because there are many projects and things to do. Such as baby thesis, book review, assignments, portfolio, etc. I think that before the semester ends, I will be able to finish all my projects and assignments.

It will be an exciting year because the summer vacation is running fast and I can’t stop thinking on what to do on that vacation, even though I am from my December vacation, I am still excited in waiting for the summer vacation.

This coming June is the start of our 2nd yr-1st semester. That is also the orientation month of the incoming freshmen. I am excited to see my juniors and I am also excited to be their senior. And I hope that when that time comes, I will become more responsible and mature enough to be called senior by my 1st yr comrades.