The saying "A calm sea doesn't make a skilled sailor" teaches us that facing tough situations helps us grow. It means challenges are important for getting better at things. This idea is like how sailors learn from rough seas. However, this is not the case for actual sailors.
Modern sailors have advanced tools and technologies at their disposal to navigate the treacherous waters, but the essence of the adage remains relevant. Let's see how!
The Literal Validity - Skilled Sailors
If you think about it in plain terms, when the sea's all chill and relaxed, it's not exactly throwing curveballs at a sailor's skills. Back in the day, though, sailors were like, "Bring on the storm!" They'd face crazy tempests, battling monstrous waves and scary winds. Those were the moments that shaped the legends of sailing, the folks who could stare nature's fury in the face and still sail through it.
It is all due to the lack of information and early preparation. Times now have changed. Low bridges didn't exist back then and neither did humungous container ships.
Modern Challenges, Modern Solutions
In the world we live in now, sailing has gone through a big makeover. Thanks to advanced technologies and super-smart navigation systems, things are different.
Sure, today's sailors still deal with tough weather and geographical disadvantages such as bridges and high-traffic waters, but the way they deal with it has levelled up. The Baltimore Bridge for instance is 1.6 miles long which makes even a small accident, catastrophic.
Unlike the old days, the modern shipping industry presses on safety more seriously. With the advanced technologies, sailors now can see bad weather coming from a mile away. Their early awareness helps them dodge the nastiest storms by planning. That means the crew stays safe and the ship keeps its mojo intact.
How do skilled sailors avoid rough seas?
As a sailor myself, I can say that the following reports are life savers for us. When you're in the middle of the Ocean (literally nowhere close to land). Just miles and miles of deep blue water, you cannot possibly take a risk to sail on your instinct.
You cannot take any chances. A sailor's responsibility is huge, similar to flying an aircraft carrying passengers. One mistake in the engine room or one mistake with a command could drag the ship into danger, putting innocent lives at risk too. We saw how much of a damage the Baltimore Bridge collapse incident caused. Not only to the goods onboard and the ship, but people's lives too.
Every decision we make onboard has to be backed by solid reason, and avoiding a rough sea is one of them. We use:
Weather Reports and Forecasts: Ships can receive weather reports and forecasts through different means such as radio broadcasts, satellite communications, or dedicated weather information services. weather facsimile.
Weather Routing Services: Specialized weather routing services provide ships with customized weather information and route optimization suggestions. These services analyze weather patterns and guide on the most favourable routes to maximize fuel efficiency, avoid storms, and ensure the safety and comfort of the vessel.
Striking a Balance
While modern sailors have the means to avoid the harshest weather conditions, it's important to note that the art of sailing isn't just about conquering storms. It's about the balance between challenging oneself and ensuring the safety of the crew and vessel.
The objective is no longer just survival; it's about achieving optimal performance and efficiency while understanding the power of nature.
Preserving Tradition in Modernity
Amidst the stage stolen by technology, the core of that saying still beats strong in the heart of sailing tradition. The savvy sailors of today don't place their trust entirely in technology. Technology is just an assistant that helps us in the job.
Some sailors value the old-school navigation tricks – you know, reading stars, feeling the winds, and deciphering the sea's mood swings. It's like blending ancient wisdom with the sleekness of modern innovation. This ensures sailors are geared up to face whatever curveballs the ocean throws at them.
The Unavoidable Circumstances - Technical Failure
While everything else can be mitigated well in advance and navigated, certain circumstances remain unavoidable in a ship, such as Technical failures. These are failures that could happen due to faults in the navigation equipment, and most commonly in the Engine room.
When you're entering US waters, every ship must conduct a CFR Steering Test to ensure that the gears and engine-related operations are up to standards. This is a regulation made compulsory to avoid accidents such as the Baltimore Bridge collapse. The Dali ship that caused this incident seemingly reported an engine failure which could've meant an unavoidable circumstance.
It may or may not have been a mistake of any of the crew members, but such incidents can take place which is why the responsibility of a sailor is quite heavy.
What do Sailors do when a Ship collides?
Many of you are curious as to what the crew onboard does when a container ship collision happens. Even if it is a minor accident or a massive one accounting for casualties such as the Baltimore Bridge collapse, everyone on board, especially the Master of the Ship (Captain) and the Chief Engineer is accountable.
As soon as the incident occurs, the officer on watch must inform the Master of the ship immediately. The authority to make the final decision is only in the hands of the Master. In the Maritime industry, the safety of life is the most crucial.
Then it's important to send distress signals to the nearest coast station and the company, through VHF, MF/HF, SAT C, or any other applicable communication method based on your location at sea and the urgency of the situation.
Assessing the damage and taking immediate safety precautions is very important.
Recording important data is a must such as the location of the collision, the causes, and practically any evidence that will help the company and the officers onboard.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg! In an incident as such there are so many protocols that crew onboard must follow.
Ever sailed on a ship? Let us know your experience in the comments below.
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