Day of the Seafarer

Member States of IMO agreed in 2010 that the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole, should be marked annually with a 'Day of the Seafarer'.

A Diplomatic Conference in Manila, the Philippines, which adopted major revisions to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the STCW Convention), and its associated Code adopted a resolution nominating 25 June of each year hereafter as the 'Day of the Seafarer'.

The date chosen was that on which the STCW revisions were adopted and acknowledges their significance for the maritime community and those who serve it on board ships. The resolution encourages Governments, shipping organizations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the Seafarer.

Joining of Ship after Class 4 COC (Certificate of Competency)

AlhumdulilAllah by the grace of Allah I joined MT QUETTA after a very long time (about 1 year). I signed off from my previous ship MT KARACHI (9 Months) sailing.

I joined the vessel from Karachi port. I came to Karachi on 02 march 2014 and completed my all documentation on Monday eg. Medical, Result card of 2^nd Engineer COC (Part A), Overhaul (Boiler Suits) and safety shoes from PNSC stores, KPT pass renew, then meet Abdullah Bhai.

When I completed all my documentation, I met with an Electrical Engineer (In Hindi/Urdu Bati Sahab) will name after checking in my mobile contact of the smartphone. I questioned many things from  Bati sahib. Yes, he answered also about the purpose of single line diagram, Which I had seen on MV Multan during my apprenticeship.

I nearly forget the pattern of my watch system. But after seeing and insuring it in only a single bird eye view I remembered back many things which I had learned in the previous ship MT Karachi.

Raza met me on 03-03-2014.  A meeting with Sardar sahib is good he came on the ship to pack his entire luggage. Then the very next day he told me about the entire things which he was doing as a 5^th engineer aboard ship.  Also he told me that the governor linkages were remaining to be greased. He told that shabab alam is a very nice chief engineer. He told me about my trainee engineer that they are good.

Raza told me that he was doing the following work

1.       IOPP tanks sounding

2.       Bunker tanks sounding (also type on computer in excel file)

3.       Log Book (also type on computer in excel file)

4.       Work done (also type on computer in excel file)

Transferring note down.

When I came to the ship and during my first watch I felt like that I don’t remember all the thing but with the passage of time inshaAllah, I will manage all my works.

During my watch today the following things I observed.

1.       No manometer at EGE

2.       No manometer at Turbocharger

3.       Marking on fire and GS pump no. 1 (suction valve)

4.       No alpha lubricator

What I supposed to study is safety and my duties in SMS of PNSC, Safety manual (which is present in Engine room, Smoke room, and bridge)

Check the name tele of Raza (which duties are assigned to him)

Check the fire and safety drawing of the ship

Check the pumping arrangement.

Also I learned from sir ammar today remind 1m3=1kL and

Metric tonne is basically mass of the body we get it by multiply volume x density

(30 April 2015) Later on, I discovered that the ON/OFF button of FD fan for boiler is different from MT KARACHI. It is adjacent to FD fan 02 but on MT KARACHI it on ME LO Tank.

Mitsubishi Purifier Abnormality (From my past diary)

Today is 7 March 2014.




Purifier # 02 was overflowing from the heavy liquid side.







Our one purifier no. 2 boss and friction pad damage.







The friction block is in ok condition. There are some traces of iron pieces in the friction block area. Sir Ammar started the purifier when there were abnormal alarm rises. Failed to start and it's going, trip. The motor of the purifier may be stuck. Ammar called the electrical engineer to see the motor.





The motor was disassembled and friction pad, friction block, and boss were checked found damage. I revolve the friction block it was moving without any great force and running due to momentum. Electrical Engineer (Batti Sahab: In Hindi/Urdu) check the bearing noises it was also ok. Now let see what he will do. InshaAllah May Allah blesses all the engine staff with good knowledge and passion for doing their work at its optimum level.


Now I am writing after all the process and procedure we adopted. We came back from the engine room at nearly 7 o clock. There was the problem of purifier friction block and friction pad slot material was worn out. I checked that every procedure we following aboard ship is slow not so much too fast. "Firstly you will try out if not then the problem may be solved by another person".





Chief Engineer was also present and he was seeing all of us to do correctly and steadily. He was also helping us. First, after the trip, we pull out the motor and check friction block and pad both was damage. So it is replaced by new boss of the motor, friction pad, friction block. I observed the alignment, smoke coming from the block. I see the speed difference between both the rotor and shaft.





Amir told me that there was a problem with the rao furqan and but the fifth engineer ramzan memon guide it.

"Slow and steady win the race"

Are you agree with this statement while you are overhauling Main Engine, Diesel Generator, Auxiliary Boiler, Main Air Compressor & Purifier?


What will be the consequence if do the maintenance in the hurry? Has anything happened with you aboard ship while you disassembling / assembling the machinery part so much fast that you forget something?


Some of Chief Engineers love the person which do all the work out very fast, but some insist on doing the work safe but do at your pace.


Some C/E love that all personnel of Engine Room staff should leave the Engine Room after your work hours timing. Eg if 1700 on Clock is your Work hour timing then you should leave the engine room at 5, but some insist on going beyond this i.e. 1800 or 1900 o' Clock.


And Some says that the work which is on time before 1700 hours is the efficient work.


Note: I am talking about the normal routine. In the event of an emergency, you have to tackle the situation, not the MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) 2006, Geneva, Switzerland or STCW (Standard Of Training Certification and Watchkeeping) 2010, Manila, Philipines.

Will add some content to this article later on. Keep on visiting my blog. Thank you

STCW (Standard of training, Certification, and watch keeping), 2010 was amended in Manila, Philippines.

Some important points regarding this amendment
1. It was amended in 2010.

2. It took place at Manila, Philippines.

3. It will totally enforce until 1st January 2017.

4. It starts activated from 1st January 2012.

Many aspects are covered.

1. Rest Hours (Also discussed in MLC 2006 Maritime Labor Convention)

2. COC (Certificate of Competency) for Eletro-technical officer (ETO) or (Batti sahib in Urdu/Hindi)

3. High voltage course for ships which is operated above 1000 Voltage. (It is adopted because this voltage is lethal and requires extra parameter / precaution to cover).

4. New fresh courses (validity period is 5 years for most of the courses)

5. ISPS (International Ship Port Security) security training for all seafarer.

6. Alcohol limit in blood and breath.

7. COC for able seaman (deck & engine both)

8. New and additional medical standard

9. ECDIS (electronic chart and display information system) course mandatory for deck officers

10. Update of competence requirement for personnel serving on gas tankers.

11. New training guidance for DP vessels (Dynamic Positioning)

12. Enhance training of maritime personnel by using latest technique i.e. via distance and web-based learning



STCW Convention chapters

Chapter I: General provisions
Chapter II: Master and deck department
Chapter III: Engine department
Chapter IV: Radio communication and radio personnel
Chapter V: Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships
Chapter VI: Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions
Chapter VII: Alternative certification
Chapter VIII: Watchkeeping



If I missed any point in above article. Feel free to comment. Thankyou

The Interview Secret HR Doesn't Want You To Know...

Having worked in HR for many years before becoming a career coach, I learned a lot about job interviews. Specifically, how hiring managers come to a decision about who to hire. To the job seeker on the outside, you may think it's a clear-cut process where the most qualified person for the job is selected. Unfortunately, hiring is never clear-cut. Especially, during interviews. Here's why:

Most Hiring Managers Don't Know What They Want

When a position becomes available in a company, it's usually for one of four reasons:

1. The person currently in the role is getting promoted and a replacement is needed.
2. The person currently in the role quit and a replacement is needed.
3. The person currently in the role is being fired and a replacement is needed.
4. It's a new position that needs to be filled for the first time.

In all of these cases, hiring managers are forced to come up with a list of candidate criteria they believe are needed to do the job successfully. This is where the problem begins. Why? Hiring managers often don't know all the criteria needed to the job well. How is that possible? Let me explain...

The Job Search Fine-Tuning Process

While most hiring managers can tell you the tasks associated with a job and the hard skills needed to complete them, they have a much harder time identifying the 'soft skills' needed to succeed in the role. For example, it isn't as easy to explain what type of personality will do best in a position. Nor is it simple to identify the aptitude a person must have to be able to learn in the company's work environment. As a result, these things are often determined during a series of initial screenings of candidates with the right experience levels. After which, the hiring manager is able to better determine what they are looking for in a candidate. At which point, the information is conveyed to HR, the job description is adjusted, and the search for the candidate continues. Even with special tools,like this Career Decoder Quiz, to help identify the personas needed for a job, it can still stake some time for a hiring manager to fine-tune the job description.

EXAMPLE: Have ever had an initial interview only to be told they're going with another candidate, BUT you then see the job re-posted a few weeks later? You know what happened. You were a victim of the job description fine-tuning process.

What Can You Do?

The single best way to stay in the running during the job search fine-tuning process is to nail the interview on two levels: personality and aptitude. If you can personally connect with the hiring manager, you can make a strong enough impression to make them want to adjust the job description in your favor. (i.e. This INC magazine article discusses using mimicry to be more likable in interviews.)

Instead of worrying about getting the job you are interviewing for, you should be focused on building a relationship with the hiring manager that can lead to you getting a job with him or her in the near future. The best way to do this is bycompleting thorough interview prep so you are relaxed yet confident in the interview. The more prepared you are, the easier it is for you to make a good impression.

NOTE: In the event you don't get chosen, don't assume you can't get the job. While I don't suggest you stalk/harass the employer, you can circle back in a month to check in on their progress in finding a candidate. By then, they have often come full circle with the job description and are re-evaluating previous candidates. Which means, it's your chance to let them know you're still interested.

Think of it this way: Hiring managers can sometimes act like 'window shoppers' - they're just looking for now. It's up to you to be the patient, positive business-of-one who is ready to provide your services once they've determined they're ready to buy.

P.S. - Not sure how to thoroughly prepare for interviews? I invite you to check out the new comprehensive course, "Job Seeker's Guide To Nailing Every Interview." When LinkedIn readers use this link, they save over 20%. Work with me personally inside the course and you'll get all your questions answered so you can nail your next interview!

Source: www.linkedin.com