Work in Colonia, Yap, Micronesia
So yesterday, on Leslie and Kirk's last day of their visit, I strolled back to the office from lunch at Juhn's Oasis (sashimi and cocunut-chicken), when a couple of the guys from Fais told me the next ship grounding had just occurred. Then he pointed over. One of the huge container ships was maneuvering around well past the place where ships were supposed to dock. The entire length of the ship -- more than half a football field, was past the dock, grinding up the mud near some coral reef heads and swinging slowly toward the derelict (much smaller) ship that lies permanently grounded there.
Umm, this is our main harbor.
I took pics and digital video and monitored it awhile. It became pretty clear that a lot of work was coming up, as several of my client agencies were hitting the phones. The Environmental Protection Agency, Marine Resources, the Sea Transportation Authority . . . . At some point around here is when my boss told me he was leaving for the rest of the week, and take care of the State.
I met with the EPA head and a few others and we went to the ship. The Captain led us up four flights of stairs to his office. Have I mentioned these ships are huge? The Captain was arrogant and combative, denying responsibility for any of the reckless and ridiculous maneuvers, even though he admitted he was piloting while close to the dock. He wouldn't hand over his passport (well, okay, but we can still keep you here . . .). Turkish Captain, Turkish crew of 12, Bahamian registry, flying under FSM and Indonesian courtesy flags as well.
We ended the interview and went downstairs. I met with port chief, who was really put out by the Captain's arrogance and disregard for clear instructions -- unlike any Captain he had ever worked with. I tasked out the other agencies to investigate and provide security.
I already wrote that the local agent, a nice Filipino man named Willie. And we held the boat here most of the day. I finally spoke to the Captain's boss, the Fleet Manager in Turkey, who was very cool about everything, and appreciative that we were working with them. We could convict this Captain of reef damage (even if it was an accident) for a fine up to $250,000. I'd rather get him fired.
Anyway, we're releasing the boat with no prosection. We'll talk to the insurors next week. It actually comes down to what the people here need -- and they need shipping companies for food to get here. Two shipping companies have left, and so there are only three lines that have container ships coming here. If I ever want to ship my belongings home to Europe or the USA, I need a shipping company.
If I ship something to Bratislava from here, it would have to go via Manila, Singapore / Melaka, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, Suez Canal, Meditteranean, TURKEY, Black Sea and up the Danube through Romania / Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. Maybe I could go with it.
Umm, this is our main harbor.
I took pics and digital video and monitored it awhile. It became pretty clear that a lot of work was coming up, as several of my client agencies were hitting the phones. The Environmental Protection Agency, Marine Resources, the Sea Transportation Authority . . . . At some point around here is when my boss told me he was leaving for the rest of the week, and take care of the State.
I met with the EPA head and a few others and we went to the ship. The Captain led us up four flights of stairs to his office. Have I mentioned these ships are huge? The Captain was arrogant and combative, denying responsibility for any of the reckless and ridiculous maneuvers, even though he admitted he was piloting while close to the dock. He wouldn't hand over his passport (well, okay, but we can still keep you here . . .). Turkish Captain, Turkish crew of 12, Bahamian registry, flying under FSM and Indonesian courtesy flags as well.
We ended the interview and went downstairs. I met with port chief, who was really put out by the Captain's arrogance and disregard for clear instructions -- unlike any Captain he had ever worked with. I tasked out the other agencies to investigate and provide security.
I already wrote that the local agent, a nice Filipino man named Willie. And we held the boat here most of the day. I finally spoke to the Captain's boss, the Fleet Manager in Turkey, who was very cool about everything, and appreciative that we were working with them. We could convict this Captain of reef damage (even if it was an accident) for a fine up to $250,000. I'd rather get him fired.
Anyway, we're releasing the boat with no prosection. We'll talk to the insurors next week. It actually comes down to what the people here need -- and they need shipping companies for food to get here. Two shipping companies have left, and so there are only three lines that have container ships coming here. If I ever want to ship my belongings home to Europe or the USA, I need a shipping company.
If I ship something to Bratislava from here, it would have to go via Manila, Singapore / Melaka, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, Suez Canal, Meditteranean, TURKEY, Black Sea and up the Danube through Romania / Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. Maybe I could go with it.