mv Sirocco freedom chips

We were preparing to go to the islands when we discovered significant damage below the floor on the main bulkhead.  Combined with that a far gone rusted mast support and keel frame left us with no option other than to arrange for extension for Mylady and do repairs.  Whilst we do the visa dance, Eelco is collecting freedom chips for us again and I’m visiting in Texas.  When we’ll be back in NZ, we have to do serious structural repairs.    

This time Eelco works as relief captain on a Dutch cargo ship m/v Sirocco, the third ship of Dutch owner Geert Tilma.   Geert and his wife have captained and cooked for many years on his ships.  While discharging in the homeport of Delfzijl, in the north of Holland, the ‘family’, that includes other staff members who were on holiday, came all onboard to assist and share in the work and joy of new stores. 

Sirocco is a 2004 model with the vessel’s LOA 111.40 m, Beam 13.40 m and max draft 5,80 metre.  She uses 9 mt of heavy fuel a day if sailed at full speed.  With the wind on the bow the speed drops dramatically.  We can carry about 200 mt of fuel.  In the Mediterranean we can use fuel that has a high Sulfur level (cheaper) but up north in the North Sea and British Channel we have to use fuel with a low Sulfur level. Yes and that is a puzzle if you have only 3 tanks for fuel. Our fresh water tanks are each 25 mt.  This ship has two.  Normal use aboard is between 1,5 and 2 mt a day.  We have a water maker that can make about 2 mt a day so we have to watch the amount and if we go low we have to fill up from shore.
In every port is an agent who takes care of the whole shore organisation like the paper work between ship and shore and immigration and customs.  He pay's the bills like harbour dues etc. After the ship is gone he sends a bill to the operator of the vessel in this case "Wagenborg Shipping".  From the freight agent at the operator, the ship gets info about the cargo and from them the ship also get sailing orders.  The cargo loading plans are made by the chief officer aboard the vessel and captain has to approve it all and take responsibility. 

Next time more about the voyages...   Until then.