Ship Simulator

English forum => Small talk => Topic started by: Ballast on September 04, 2009, 10:16:18

Title: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on September 04, 2009, 10:16:18
I've added some pictures on my flickr page of my latest voyage. I thought you might like it  ;D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ballast/sets/

Enjoy  :doh:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: sadsid († 2016) on September 04, 2009, 10:22:25
Hi Ballast
Thanks for sharing photos very interesting to view brings back memories
to us old salts  :lol:
                                                                                  Eric
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Agent|Austin on September 04, 2009, 10:32:44
Awesome ballast!
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Minime on September 04, 2009, 12:15:35
Very nice pics Ballast, wish I could be on a ship too, I tried it once and loved it.(worked on a little oil tanker)
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on September 04, 2009, 13:08:06
Thanks guys  ;D
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Capt. Matt on September 04, 2009, 19:23:22
Hi Ballast great pics are you a deckhand"?
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on September 04, 2009, 20:02:45
Hi Ballast great pics are you a deckhand"?

Hi Matt, we sail with Philipino deckhands. The officers are mostly Dutch or Belgium.
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Shipaddict on September 04, 2009, 20:23:26
Great photos! :)
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: TNeves on September 04, 2009, 21:09:57
Excellent gallery! I add you as a friend :2thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Capt. Matt on September 04, 2009, 21:28:05
So your an officer then?
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on September 05, 2009, 10:43:50
Excellent gallery! I add you as a friend :2thumbs:

I already wondered who added me  :2thumbs:

So your an officer then?

Not yet, still collecting my last sea service days to retrieve my license  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: IRI5HJ4CK on September 05, 2009, 11:50:43
Awesome pics Ballast!

You're making me jelous :evil: :lol:

I'm going to the college soon, to do my Day Skipper course...It lasts into 2010, starting soon. Give me a taste of my future :lol: I'll be able to collect my radio lisence when I'm 16 as well too. Almost 15 now ;D

I've also got work experience at the end of this year, Hopefully with Stena Line, if they say yes..Hopefully on the Stena Leader, pushing it :lol:

Thanks for sharing!

Jack.
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Mad_Fred on September 05, 2009, 12:17:30
Excellent stuff, Ballast!!  Thanks for sharing!  :2thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Nathan|C on September 05, 2009, 12:24:26
Brilliant pics Ballast, very interesting!  :2thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Capt. Matt on September 05, 2009, 13:27:26
A licence for that ship cool would that be under the Unlimited category?

I kow it starts with a 6pack here then a bit bigger to 50 then 100 tons my dad has a small 100 tons I believe he is going a step up though but he doesnt need any larger as they cost quite a bit of cash to keep up dont they?
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on September 05, 2009, 18:09:04
Thanks guys  ;D

Awesome pics Ballast!

You're making me jelous :evil: :lol:

I'm going to the college soon, to do my Day Skipper course...It lasts into 2010, starting soon. Give me a taste of my future :lol: I'll be able to collect my radio lisence when I'm 16 as well too. Almost 15 now ;D

I've also got work experience at the end of this year, Hopefully with Stena Line, if they say yes..Hopefully on the Stena Leader, pushing it :lol:

Thanks for sharing!

Jack.

It will give you a great advantage if you already have some experience with working on board vessels. I was 14 when i sailed on barges during holidays and summervacation during high school.
A licence for that ship cool would that be under the Unlimited category?

I kow it starts with a 6pack here then a bit bigger to 50 then 100 tons my dad has a small 100 tons I believe he is going a step up though but he doesnt need any larger as they cost quite a bit of cash to keep up dont they?

Overhere you have a license for 'ships not larger then 3000 gross tonnage' and 'all ships'. The first one i already finished, and in a few months i start studying for my 'all ships' license which will take about 4 months.
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on October 18, 2009, 10:40:05
New trip, new pics!

(http://i38.tinypic.com/scf5ll.jpg)
Alongside in Ceuta, north Africa for bunkers.

(http://i34.tinypic.com/2zf1z68.jpg)

(http://i37.tinypic.com/11v4ndc.jpg)
Barbwired fence to keep the stoways out, or the sailors in....

(http://i35.tinypic.com/3525cnb.jpg)

(http://i33.tinypic.com/2zitwnp.jpg)
Bridge

(http://i35.tinypic.com/15q2ooj.jpg)
Mission Control Centre. For all cargo, ballast and tank cleaning operations.

(http://i34.tinypic.com/qrx1n5.jpg)
Dense fog

(http://i35.tinypic.com/2d6wwy.jpg)
Dolphins playing at the bow in Mediterranean Sea

(http://i34.tinypic.com/2yphi5y.jpg)
Passing Gibraltar strait

(http://i36.tinypic.com/2aiiwyx.jpg)
Compulsory escort tug at the port of Cartagena, Spain. A bit overkill, made fast with a ship's line. Tow line of the tug was too big to fit through the fairlead!  :doh:

(http://i34.tinypic.com/24ww03t.jpg)
Morocco

(http://i34.tinypic.com/warq7b.jpg)
Rendez vous at Huelva roads. Dutch Spirit - Dutch Navigator - Dutch Mate

(http://i38.tinypic.com/jju1s9.jpg)
Huelva roads.

(http://i38.tinypic.com/2608kuf.jpg)
Aircraft carrier in Dover strait
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Quaysider on October 18, 2009, 11:04:49
Nice set mate :thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: saltydog on October 18, 2009, 11:11:37
Very enjoyable pics.. :thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on October 18, 2009, 13:43:55
Thanks for the comments guys  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Minime on October 18, 2009, 14:46:49
love those pics, thanks for uploading :2thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: The Ferry Man on October 18, 2009, 15:03:02
Great Pics  :2thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Jeff123 on October 18, 2009, 16:51:46
Cool photos, I still have no idea why dolphins would actually PLAY at the bow of a ship though, I would think they would get themselfs keelhauled. :o But still, GREAT PHOTOS! :2thumbs:
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on October 18, 2009, 17:01:08
I also dont have a clue why dolphins do that, but it sure looks fun  :thumbs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq0ebuOLTnI

A short movie of the dolphins
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Jeff123 on October 18, 2009, 17:06:15
I agree, it does look fun, (and like the ship is chasing the dolphins like they were wanted criminals and the ship was the police).  :lol:

Also, nice vidio!
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: TJK on October 18, 2009, 17:30:55
 i do not think the ships chasing the dolphins, it's funny that dolphins like to play with ships so much  and and peoples that are swimming BDW it's a great video
Tore/TJK
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on February 21, 2010, 18:01:31
Back on board since's 3 weeks. No easy life trips in the Mediterranean sea this time, but just plain fun on the North sea. The crew is generally the same as during my previous trip, which is always a plus  :)

(http://i49.tinypic.com/2v85ox3.jpg)
Passing the Botlek bridge in the port of Rotterdam.

Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: clanky on February 22, 2010, 17:05:53
Hey Ballast,

Good to see someone starting out on their career at sea.

Looks like a nice ship you are on, good luck with your license, do you have any more exams to take or only some more sea time?

I assume from your screen name that you are training to be a deck officer rather than an engineer? I have been saying for years that you lot are only any use as ballast!  :P :P :P
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on February 22, 2010, 20:02:08
Hi Clanky!

I'm finished with all the exams. Just 7 more weeks of sea service days before i can pick up my '2nd mate no limitations' license. A bit strange, like i have no limitations...  ;D Before i went to sea, i sailed on inland barges for 6 years. The last few years i sailed as mate. Unfortunately my barge license isn't interchangeable for a sea going license, so i had to go back to school for that.

My interest in the engine room is very little. I was lucky that the nautical schools over here recently started with the separated mate and engineers courses again. Before that you could only follow the 'maritime officer' course, a combined course with the bridge and the engine room. Once you finished it you get a license for both functions, meaning you also had to work 6 months in the engine room during your apprenticeship!
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on February 22, 2010, 20:05:29
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr7484pPBhc

Bridge tour!  ;D
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Traddles on February 22, 2010, 20:11:33
Hi Ballast,
That's a nice video you posted there. I have told "clanky" that he is not at all complimentary about the deck department. :doh: But then, One cannot expect anything different from the down below lot. ::) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on April 16, 2010, 18:17:48
New trip, new pics!!  :)

(http://i44.tinypic.com/huf1nc.jpg)
Put your hands up for ....  ;D

(http://i39.tinypic.com/2f0erzo.jpg)
Bridge in the port of Antwerp, Belgium

(http://i44.tinypic.com/4taxk7.jpg)
Film crew of the new "Deadliest cargo" show at the Discovery channel.

(http://i41.tinypic.com/23j4umq.jpg)
Meeting the Dutch Faith at the Elbe.

(http://i44.tinypic.com/4qpl47.jpg)
Alongside the m.t. "Harbour Clear" (16225 dwt) for cargo transfer.

(http://i42.tinypic.com/hun7u0.jpg)
Sailing at the river Tees. The Riverside stadium, home of FC Middlesbrough, dead ahead.

(http://i42.tinypic.com/os7i87.jpg)
The Svitzer Sun, our escort tug on the river Tees. Not that she can do anything, her draft is deeper than ours  :doh:

(http://i43.tinypic.com/svlzjb.jpg)
Changing the cargopump. Pump + pumpstack is about 9 meters long.

(http://i42.tinypic.com/10i6oph.jpg)
Selsey IV in Dunkerque, France.

(http://i41.tinypic.com/5ltmvc.jpg)
Dunkerque lighthouse.

(http://i43.tinypic.com/2j3fuwz.jpg)
The Sandettie light ship who has been replaced by a large buoy for quiet a while now.

(http://i41.tinypic.com/23vqe.jpg)
Leaving Dunkerque. Bye bye, till next time  :doh:

(http://i42.tinypic.com/vxc1u1.jpg)
The pilot boat after picking the pilot up. The ship is ours again! Always nice how the serene atmosphere comes back after the start of the sea passage. Everybody starts to do their own thing again.

(http://i42.tinypic.com/24lpmpx.jpg)
Elbe approach.

(http://i43.tinypic.com/33nhhj4.jpg)
Belgium dredger owned by Jan de Nul dredging on the Elbe.
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Minime on April 16, 2010, 18:22:23
Very good pictures, btw will you be on TV?
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: clanky on April 16, 2010, 19:35:32
Nice pictures Ballast, well done.  Hope you are enjoying yourself.

There can of course only be one contender for the most deadly cargo.....



























Passengers :o
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Quaysider on April 16, 2010, 21:23:34
Nice pics Menno  :thumbs: Saw the Sandettie lightship last year - through the rain soaked windows of the car!
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on April 17, 2010, 12:01:58
Nice pics Menno  :thumbs: Saw the Sandettie lightship last year - through the rain soaked windows of the car!

Thanks mate  :)

Nice pictures Ballast, well done.  Hope you are enjoying yourself.

There can of course only be one contender for the most deadly cargo.....

Passengers :o

True, i don't like sailing with a cargo that moans and has an opinion  ;D
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Traddles on April 17, 2010, 13:29:26
Talking cargo is very definitely the most dangerous. ::) I fully agree about the sublime peace which comes over the ship on clearing port for a sea passage. Being AT sea was the time I most enjoyed, on a general cargo ship. In port it was usually total chaos and noise, rooms had to be kept locked and portholes tightly closed against thieves. Absolute bliss to be away from it. :2thumbs:
Regards,
Angus.
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Minime on April 17, 2010, 16:09:15
from the 2-3 weeks of experience on a tanker I have had, I most enjoyed sailing or being anchored on the raid. Even though painting can be boring, it is interesting when your working with the crew, even the captain was painting. Also we got to play with the mob boat, and sailed into a small town/village in Norway and the weather was trough the 3 weeks I think it was amazing. But I did like loading and unloading oil, didn't really mind I did all the work, though those valves can be tiring to operate, especially when all the tanks start to say biiiiiiiiiiiiiiip, cause the are about to be full. Btw there were no thieves to be worried on in Norway on the dock, but beautiful Spambot worked on the dock actually(not often, but sometimes), that could be a distraction
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Jakespin118 on April 17, 2010, 16:38:11
Great pics MJ ;)
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on April 17, 2010, 18:41:37
Thanks for the comments guys  :)

@Minime, on our vessels all valves for the cargo system as well as the ballast system are hydraulic controlled from the cargo control room. I'm not sure if it's always better. I learned the profession with manual controlled valves on deck. Old skool  ;D
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Minime on April 17, 2010, 18:47:21
hehe, the one I was on is now sold to Nigeria, that means it was an old outdated vessel. You know when the vessel you are on was built? Is it just maintained well or is it quite new?
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on April 17, 2010, 18:53:49
The Mate is built in 1989, that makes her 21 years old now. Our oldest vessel atm is the Dutch Progress with the age of 25.

(http://i40.tinypic.com/xlbjty.png)
Dutch Progress. Hard to believe she's 25 years old huh  ;D
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Minime on April 17, 2010, 19:53:07
wow, good to see they are so well maintained, do they have double hulls though?
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Ballast on April 17, 2010, 20:15:29
Yeah, our fleet is double hull  :) The cargo tanks and cargo lines are made of stainless steel (SS 316), giving us the possibility to transport a very wide range of liquid chemicals.
Title: Re: Life at sea
Post by: Minime on April 17, 2010, 20:58:56
That makes it an great fleet,. Very nice looking tankers, maybe one day I'll be making those, I've always had a great interest for tankers.