After successfully loading the cargo in Brazil, the ship proceeded to Qingdao and Tianjin to discharge.Many crew members have completed the contract then,but whether they could take a vacation was like a group of haze shrouded in the sunny sky,which could not be dispersed for a long time.Crossing the various seas and oceans (the Atlantic Ocean, Cape of Good Hope,Indian Ocean,Singapore Strait,South China Sea),the ship sailed for more than 40 days and finally arrived safely at Qingdao port.
Due to the influence of the Covid-19 epidemic,the port of Qingdao was severely overloaded,and many tankers were awaiting at anchorage for their berthing turn,we too had to wait for about a month before we unloaded the part of cargo.All the stores and provision supplies went on normally,and the ship left for Tianjin port after unloading.In Tianjin,the ship underwent another vetting inspection smoothly.After the company's unremitting efforts,the final crew change happened smoothly in Tianjin.
On the way to Singapore,we had to repair the valve of COT5C and I was also preparing to be promoted to Chief Mate.With the permission of the Master,I was given a chance to take full charge of the valve repair of the COT5C under the supervision of the Chief Officer.From planning,preparation, assessing risks,permit to work,the toolbox meeting to the specific implementation of the plan,including hot water washing,purging, gas-free,decanting,finally Singapore de-slop, etc.,went all well according to plan.
At Singapore,I was promoted to Chief Officer upon signoff of onboard C/O.
In the heart I used to meditate: After being promoted,I must work hard to ensure the safety of the ship and its personnel, especially in the case of this epidemic,I can't live up to what they expect of me,the Master and the company's trust and cultivation.
After departure from Singapore,we received the voyage orders to proceed to Freeport, Bahamas to load fuel oil and discharge at Singapore.From Singapore to the Freeport,it was about one-month sailing and I concentrated fully on deck maintenance according to plan and then carried out the port pre-arrival checks according to the checklist to make sure everything is safe. Although loaded Fuel Oil previously when I was 2/O,it was a different experience in the role of Chief Mate for the first time.To be frank,I was excited as well as nervous considering 1st loading operations as Chief Officer and could not sleep the night before loading,I was carefully checking everything again and again.Finally,about 300,000 tons of Fuel Oil loading started and lasted for 7 days due to the slow loading rate.As a Chief Mate, I was very happy after 7 days of first loading operations which went smoothly.
The ship then set sail to Singapore,crossed the Cape of Good Hope again.Many crew were scheduled to take a vacation in this call, including me.However,due to the impact of the pandemics and the crew change policy in Singapore,only a few Filipino crew members were successfully replaced.Some people were happy and some sad,life goes on.After a short phone call with my family,I adjusted my mood and moved forward.