A Book Of Memories

Hidden in the attic,
all the way upstairs,
is something very special,
that I would like to share.

My hopes,
my dreams,
old photographs,
of good times and bad times that make me    laugh.

The joy of a hug,
the thrill of a kiss,
leaves me to remember the pure, simple bliss.

I cry for the fun,
and giggle for the pain,
I enjoyed the good life I was able to maintain.

The thoughts and wishes,
they all stay with me,
all of these contained in my book of memories.

SPORTS PARACHUTING : SKYDIVING

Parachuting is an activity involving a preplanned drop from a height using  an aerial platform and a deployable parachute.One type of parachuting is Ram Air (Square) commonly known as skydiving parachute, which is recreational, also called sport parachuting.

Typically, a trained skydiver and a group of associates meet at an isolated airport, referred to as a Drop Zone Landing Area. A operator at that airport usually operates one or more aircraft, and takes groups of skydivers up for a fee. In the earlier days of the sport, it was common for an individual jumper to go up in a light aircraft now bigger aerial platforms are also used for skydiving.

The jump involves individuals jumping out of aircraft usually an airplane, but sometimes a helicopter or even the gondola of a balloon, and free-falling for a period of time before activating a parachute Opening to land down at safe speeds.

Once the parachute is opened, (usually the parachute will be fully inflated by 3,000 ft). the jumper can control his or her direction and speed with cords called Steering Lines, with hand grips called Toggles that are attached to the parachute, and so he or she can aim for the landing site and come  in a safe landing environment. Most modern sport parachutes are self-inflating Ram-Air wings that provide control of speed and direction, to the sports person.

By changing the shape of the body, a skydiver can do turns, forward motion, backwards motion, and many other manuvers.  Experienced skydivers will tell someone that in freefall, one can do anything a bird can do, except go back up.
There are several ways one can get started in this sport and make a first jump.

1. Static Line : In parachuting, a static line is a cord connecting the deployment bag of the parachute to the aircraft from which the parachutist jumps. After Existing out the aircraft, this short line pulls the parachute deployment bag from its container. After that, the parachute deploys. The static line separates from the parachute, and remains in tow behind the aircraft. It is subsequently pulled in and stowed away by the Jumpmaster. Static lines are used in order to make sure that a parachute is deployed immediately after leaving the plane, regardless of any actions taken by the parachutist, however the parachutist must adopt and maintain a suitable body position throughout deployment to minimise the chances of a parachute malfunction, and twists.

2. Tandem : Tandem skydiving refers to a type of skydiving where a novice skydiver, student or passenger is connected with a harness passenger to an experienced skydiver,Tandem Master or andem Instructor. The instructor controls the whole jump from exit through free fall, opening the parachute, piloting the canopy, and landing. The student needs only little instructions and briefing before making a Tandem Skydive.

3. Accelerated Free Fall : Accelerated Freefall (AFF) : is also a method of skydiving training. It has replaced static line progression as the most common method of training skydivers. Two or more instructors assist the student during free fall and deployment of the parachute.

IPF is not able to conduct Tandem Skydiving and AFF frequently because of the limiting factors of the small aircrafts and high cost of operation of bigger aircraft/ helicopter.
Despite the perception of dangers, in aerosports fatalities are rare. In our organization we try to minimize the risk factor by taking adequate steps for safety. We believe that proper training, use of standard equipment with safety Devices substianally reduce the risk. As on date we are proud of our safety record with no incident/ accidents and no injury to any of our trainees. Most of the trainees are civilians with no parachuting background.

In IPF has conducted Parachute jumps. It is mandatory that all skydivers  carry  two parachutes one Main, one Reserve attached to a single harness inspected and packed by an experienced  parachute packer (Rigger). It is mandatory for all skydivers to use an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that opens the reserve parachute at a safe altitude in the event of the jumper failing to activate the parachute himself or herself. 

Beware merchant navy aspirants

South Delhi police have arrested a 28-year-old ex-deck officer for allegedly duping 70 merchant navy aspirants of over Rs 1 crore. Police said Vikas Kumar, from Sheikhpura district in Bihar, had promised the students admission in top institutes in Kolkata and Mumbai that provide General Purpose Rating (GPR) Course for merchant navy. Police said they have also recovered Rs 1.9 crore from Kumar's possession. He was arrested from Ranchi.

Police said he was hiding in his in-laws' house there and had switched off his mobile phone and had stopped checking his e-mails.

The police complaint was lodged by Vinod Rana, director of IPMT, IPSR & IPSR Maritime, Chhatarpur. Rana told the police that the accused had approached him claiming that he shares good rapport with training institutes in Kolkata and Mumbai and that he can get admission to his students for coastal training.

Chhaya Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (south), said Kumar had told Rana that he had good liaison with METRI-Maritime Educational Trainee and Research Institute in Kolkata.

"In the months of April, May and June this year, Rana sent the accused to Kolkata and Mumbai for admission of his students. Kumar asked Rana to send 70 students to Kolkata and transfer Rs 1.5 crore, needed for the admission process, into his two different bank accounts. The students and the principal went to Kolkata later but did not find Kumar," said DCP Sharma adding Rana then lodged a cheating case against Kumar.

The police also got all the bank accounts of the accused blocked.

Friends

The Best of Friends

The best of friends,

Can change a frown,

Into a smile,

when you feel down. 

The best of friends,

Will understand,

Your little trials,

And lend a hand. 

The best of friends,

Will always share,

Your secret dreams,

Because they care. 

The best of friends,

Worth more than gold,

Give all the love,

A heart can hold

WAYS TO JOIN MERCHANT NAVY

WAYS TO JOIN MERCHANT NAVY

DECK OFFICERS

Here we shall be limiting ourselves to job opportunities on Deck side. Deck Officer - The officers from this branch look after the ships navigation, loading/unloading of cargo, general maintenance, and administration of the ship.

The various courses offered to join as deck officers are,
Nautical Technology -4 year course
B.Sc. Nautical Science -3 year course
Diploma in Nautical science -1 year course

ENGINE OFFICERS
Engine Department consist of Marine engineers and Electrical officer. Marine engineers operate, maintain, and repair the mechanical systems of ships. Working closely with the architect who designs the ship structure, and maintains the propulsion, auxiliary power machinery, and other equipment needed to run the ship. An Electrial officer maintain and repair the ship’s electrical system. Most marine engineers are employed by companies in ships and some employed by private firms that build ships or make the equipment used in them. A few engineers do freelance work as consultants to these firms.Marine engineers may specialize in certain kinds of equipment such as pumps, engines, gears, heaters, or deck machinery.
The various courses offered to join as engine officers are
Marine Engineering-4 years course
Marine Engineering(GME)-1 year course
Marine Engineering-2 year course
Marine Engineering-2 ½ year course
Ship’s Electrical Officer-4 Months course

RATINGS
Merchant Navy Ratings are ship personnal who carry out duties on the deck, in the engine room and in catering services(saloon department). They assist officers in all departments, and they will be trained in fire prevention and sea survival skills. The work time of the ratings normally work shifts, known as 'watches', four hours on duty followed by eight hours off.
The duties of ratings will depend on the type of ship and the department,

For Deck Ratings
Steering the ship, Inspecting and cleaning holds,tanks,cranes and winches, Reparing and painting the ship’s hull, Assisting the deck officer in loading and unloading operations and in other navigational duties. In port, they secure the ship to the dock, carry out maintenance and contribute to the security of the vessel.

For Engine Ratings
Maintaining the shipboard machinery. They carry out routine oiling, greasing and servicing, and fitters/petty officers will repair and fit equipment parts. Experienced ratings help the engineering officers to monitor the main plant and other equipment to make sure it is run safely.

For Saloon Ratings
Preparing meals in the galley and serving food and drinks, Cleaning cabins, corridors and decks, Stock control and re-ordering supplies. They will Provide a variety of catering services for the crew and passengers on ferries and cruise liners. engines, gears, heaters, or deck machinery.
The various courses offered to join as ratings are
General Purpose Rating course- 6 months
Generel Purpose Rating for Fitter/Petty Officers course-6months
Certificate course in Maritime Catering-6 months
Orientation course for Catering Personnal-18 days

Captain, chief engineer of MV Rak released on bail

The Captain and the chief engineer of cargo vessel MV Rak have been arrested and charged with negligence. MV Rak sank off the coast of Mumbai on Thursday, with 60,000 metric tonnes of coal on board. Both of them were produced in court and have subsequently been released on bail of Rs 25,000 each. 

The cargo ship, which was on its way from Indonesia's Tutung to Dahej in Gujarat, had a 30-member crew of Indonesian, Jordanian and Romanian nationalities. All of them were rescued by defence personnel before it sank on Thursday.

On Friday, an FIR was registered against the owner, captain and crew members of the vessel and a probe was ordered into the cause of the incident.

"An FIR has been registered against the owner, captain and crew members under IPC section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others)," Deputy Police Commissioner (Port Zone) Tanaji Ghadge said.

Coast Guard sources said they could see oil layers around the place where the 225 metre-long vessel, which contained about 290 tonnes of fuel oil and 50 tonnes of diesel, sank. But they described it as "negligible" and said it will not create any ecological problems.

Trainee Marine Engineer

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.
(A Government of India Enterprises)
Fleet Personnel Department
Shipping House, 245, Madam Cama Road, Mumbai - 400 021

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. invites application from Unmarried Male and Female Graduate Mechanical Engineers / Naval Architects for Recruitment as Trainee Marine Engineer.

• Trainee Marine Engineer
• Age: Maximum 28 years as on 01.01.2012
• Qualification : Degree in Mechanical Engineering / Naval Architecture from AICTE Approved Engineering college. Equivalent degree or degree with specialization or electives are not acceptable. Final year / semester students who expect their results by 31.07.2011 may also apply.

Last Date for Online: Before 17.00 hrs on 15.07.2011
Last date for sending Registration Slip: 22.07.2011

For Advertisement details, please see the link below:
http://www.epostonline.in/forms/sci20110614/advtsci.pdf

LIFEBOAT- ON LOAD AND OFF LOAD RELEASE

ON LOAD & OFF LOAD RELEASE MECHANISM OF LIFEBOAT

There are different types of lifeboats used on board a ship on the basis of the type of ship and other special requirements. Not all the lifeboats have the same type of releasing mechanisms, for the launching of a lifeboat depends on several other factors. In this article we will take a look at the main types of lifeboat releasing mechanisms and also learn about the SOLAS requirements for lifeboats.


Types of lifeboat releases: On load and off load release.
There are two types of lifeboat releasing mechanisms- on load and off load. These mechanisms release the boat from the davit, which is attached to a wire or fall by means of a hook. By releasing the hook the lifeboat can be set free to propel away from the ship.


Off load mechanism:

The off load mechanism releases the boat after the load of the boat is transferred to water or the boat has been lowered fully into the sea. When the boat touches the surface of water, the load on the fall and hence the hook releases and due to its mechanism the hook detaches from the fall. If the detachment dose not takes place, any of the crew members can remove the hook from the fall. Most of the times the offload mechanism is manually disengaged in case of malfunction; however, in case of fire, it is dangerous to go out and release the hook.

On load mechanism:

On load mechanism can release the lifeboat from the wire, with the ship above the water level and with all the crew members inside the boat. The load will be still on the fall as the boat would not have touched the water. Normally the height of about 1 m is kept for the on load release, so that the fall is smooth without damaging the boat and harming the crew inside. A lever is provided inside the boat to operate this mechanism. As the lever is operated from inside, it is safe to free the boat without going of the out lifeboat, when there is a fire on ship.

 

Free Fall life boat release:

In Free fall life boat, the launching mechanism is similar to on load release. the only difference is that the free fall lifeboat is not lowered till 1m above water level, it is launched from the stowed position by operating a lever located inside the boat which releases the boat from rest of the davit and boat slides through the tilted ramp into the water.

SOLAS and LSA code Requirements for lifeboat:
-The size, number and the capacity of the lifeboat for a merchant vessel is decided by the type of the ship and number of ship’s crew, but it should not be less then 7.3 m in length and minimum two lifeboats are provided on both side of the ship (port and starboard).
-The requirement for lifeboat of a cargo ship with 20,000 GT is that the boat must be capable of launching when the ship is heading with a speed of 5 knots.
-The lifeboat must carry all the equipments described under SOLAS which can be used in survival at sea. It includes rations, fresh water, first aid, compass, distress signalling equipments like rocket etc.
-The ship must carry one rescue boat for rescue purpose along with other lifeboats. One lifeboat can be designated as a rescue boat if more then one lifeboat is present onboard ship.
-The gravity davits must be hold and slide down the lifeboat even when the ship is heeled to an angle of 15 degree on either side. Ropes are used to hold the lifeboat in stowed position with cradle. These       ropes are called gripes.
-The wires which lift or lower the lifeboat are known as falls and the speed of the lifeboat descent should not be more then 36m/ min which is controlled by means of centrifugal brakes.
-The hoisting time for the boat launching appliance should not be less then 0.3 m/sec with the boat loaded to its full capacity.
-The Lifeboat must be painted in international bright orange color with the ship’s call sign printed on it.
-The lifeboat station must be easily accessible for all the crew members in all circumstances. Safety awareness posters and launching procedures must be posted at lifeboat station.
-Regular drills must be carried out to ensure that the ship’s crew members are capable of launching the boat with minimal time during real emergency.

TACKLE EMERGENCIES ON BOARD

An emergency situation on ship must be handled with confidence and calmness, for haste decisions and “jumping to conclusions” can make the matters even worse. Efficient tackling of emergency situations can be achieved by continuous training and by practical drills onboard vessel. However, it has been seen that in spite of adequate training, people get panic attacks and eventually do not do what they should in an emergency situation.

As far as the seafarer is concerned, first and foremost, he or she must be aware of the different types of emergency situations that can arise on board ship. This would help in understanding the real scenario in a better way, and would also lead to taking correct actions to save life, property, and environment.

We have prepared a brief instruction guide that must be given to all the seafarer onboard to tackle different emergency situations.

Emergency Situation Guide
Officers and crew should familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Fire Training Manual and the training manual on Life Saving Appliances of the ship.


General Alarm
 In case of a general alarm:

• Rush to muster station with life jacket, immersion suit, and act according to the vessel’s Muster Lists.

• Act as per the emergency explained by the in charge officer.

Fire alarm
 In case of a fire alarm: 

• Inform Officer On Watch.

• Check if it is a false or true alarm.

• Report back of findings.

• In case of fire, raise the Fire/General alarm as soon as possible. Try to stop fire and if it is not possible, muster according to the Fire Muster List.

Man Over Board signal
 In case of Man Overboard Signal: 

• Rush to the deck and try to locate the crew member fallen in the water

• Throw lifebuoy and inform deck. Read more here.

Abandon Ship Signal 
In case of Abandon Ship Signal: 

• Rush to the muster station

• Carry as much ration, water, and warm clothing as you can carry

• Act according to the vessel’s Muster Lists.

Engineers Call 
In case of engineers call: 

• All Ship Engineers Should assemble in the Engine Control Room

CO2 alarm 

• In case of CO2 alarm, leave the Engine Room immediately.

Engine Room Flooding 

• In case of engine room flooding, Chief Engineer should be called immediately and general alarm should be raised.

• Immediate action should be taken in preventing more sea water to enter the engine room and Emergency bilging from the Engine Room should be established in accordance with the Chief Engineer.

 Cargo Hold Flooding 

• In case of cargo hold flooding, Master must be informed immediately.

• All precaution must be taken to contain the flooding to that hold.

• General alarm must be raised.

Pollution prevention

• In case of any oil spill/pollution immediate action should be taken according to the vessel’s “Shipboard Oil Pollution Prevention Plan”.

• Emergency Plan (SOPEP) and Onboard SOPEP Equipment located in Deck Stores should be used in case of Oil Spill.

In case of any other emergency situations, call for help either by using the phone or by activating the EMERGENCY CALL. Whatever might be the situation, keep the Master, Chief Engineer and Officer on Watch informed of the situation all the time.