A SAILOR’S LIFE ON THE WORLD’S LARGEST SHIP - CHAPTER ONE (THE SIGN ON)

It’s better not to say it, but I think I would agree to the fact that my last post on a sailors life was blown down like a deck of cards. Without giving it a thought I posted it on hubpages, just to realize later how bad it was both in relation to the content and the layout. I should have deleted the hub, but then decided to let it stay; it was the only hub I had back then. So now let’s start the journey of a sailor right from the day I stepped on the World’s Biggest Ship (Presently Operating).

The gangway, as we (sailors) call it, is just an 80 footsteps ladder which we have to climb up before getting onboard. And to remind you I am not big enough and I can’t afford to  lose 10 pounds on my way up to the ship. I closed my eyes and reminded myself of my dad persuading me to quit sitting in front of the pc and facebook-ing all the time and do some physical activities. 

I stopped midway gasping for breath. After all the lazy months spent at home, in front of the computer, chatting with friends all day or downloading music and watching videos, I was not in my best shape. Then and there I decided I would start doing a little aerobics. I then, continued on climbing the world’s steepest and biggest gangway onboard a ship.

The ISPS CODE was being followed and the gangway watchman wrote our names on the sign-on list and allowed us in. The officer of the watch accompanied us to the deck office. Well a deck office is where all the ships work at port is handled. All the documents are checked and signed here by the duty officer. It’s the most clean and tidy place on a ship (it reflects good care to potential customers).

“Welcome, onboard”, a tall white man speaks with a grin. “Hi, I am Shashikant”, I replied. “Soren, the Chief officer” he said.  He then showed us the way to our cabins located on the ‘D’ Deck. A spacious room with a couch for three, a single bed, a study table and a bathroom. “What Is the password for the crew internet service?”  , I asked Soren. “It will be given to you once you have read the guidelines of proper usage of the FBB!” . ‘What an asshole, he is’, I thought. “See you later for dinner”, he said while turning back for the door and closing it gently. “Yes, Sure”.  

“Where is my luggage?”, speaking to myself in a low voice.

 Knock, knock, knock.

  I went for the door, a man huge enough to knock all my teeth off in a single blow, was standing right besides my door. “Your luggage has been kept on the B Deck, you can get it from there”, he said. “Thank you, I m Shashikant by the way”, “ My name is Nicolas, Nice to meet you” he said, benignly. “Nice to meet you too”, I said with a gracious note.

Tring, Tring. Tring…err. “Good Afternoon Shashikant here.” I spoke confidently; well it’s the captain calling afterall. “Good afternoon Shashi . This is the Captain speaking. Could you come to my cabin with all your documents in 5 minutes?”.  “ Sure Captain, I would be there in 5 minutes.”

I kept the phone down, took out my folder with the documents and went for the elevator. Its K Deck, so that’s a total of 10 floors on this ship. We don’t have an I deck on this ship for no known reasons.

I went to the door and asked for the captain to allow me in. He then shook hands with me and hoped I would enjoy my stay onboard the vessel.  He then quickly ran through my documents and gave me the official document of sign-on. And now I have officially become a part of the world’s largest ship presently operating, Eleonora Maersk.

1. The Danish Government has released 20 Kroner coins in commemoration of the world's largest ship.

2. The vessel is 397m long, 56m wide and has a depth of 30m.

3. The ship has a capacity of 13500 TEU(Twenty Equivalent Unit), which makes it capable to carry more than 4000 containers including 1000 refrigerated containers.

4. The minimum safe manning of this ship is only 13 crew members. However in practice the vessel has around 18 crew members.

5. It boasts of one of the world's largest engines ever built, with an overall output of 80MW.

6. It is an Eco-friendly vessel, with silicone paint used until her summer draught from the keel which not only prevents marine pollution but also saves a huge amount of money for the company by reducing friction forces between the water and the ship's hull.

6. The sister vessel of Eleonora Maersk, i.e. Emma survived a fire during her building stages in the dockyard. The fire spread all over the accommodation including the bridge. But this giant ship was supposed to be made to her greatness.

Another hub will follow shortly after it has been finalized. So keep looking in the space here or follow me. And get all the latest updates on my hubs. I appreciate you for your time to read my Hub.

Thank You and Have a Good Day