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.

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.