TRAFALGAR

stein · Jul 6, 2019

Underway at sea with tents over all holds to protect the cargo against rain must be somewhat risky? (All the the vent cowls are turned to starboard. That indicates a recent blow.) Must have made ready for immediate loading/unloading when quite near her destined port. Or maybe even have waited at the port entrance for a while to get permission to enter, and have used this time to uncover the hatches.

I remember the question continuously asked of me at the wheel while waiting for the port authority to decide where we should tie up: "Does she still steer?" And the cursing of the officers at the time it took. "For Speed and Service" was the company motto, no waste of time was welcomed.

CRANFIELD · Jul 6, 2019

Many thanks Stein for your most interesting remarks on which I hope other seafarers will comment - were you an officer with Wilh.Wilhelmsen?
best regards. Malcolm Cranfield

stein · Jul 6, 2019

Far from it, I was a lowly deckboy when on Wilhelmsen's M/S Tourcoing in 65 (a ship much like this one), and I never made it beyond ordinary sailor in my short career at sea. Still, I am willing to speculate on the cir***stances expressed in such a photgaph, trusting the many ancient mariners who prowl this site to arrest any mistakes. (And - I have indeed had to make a few retreats trough the years, even regarding matters where I do have some experience, or serious knowledge gathered through other means.)

Anyway, to the many silent ones here - it is more fun if you paritcipate. (Thumb)

MMA · Jul 6, 2019

Given that most hatch tents fitted very badly over the coamings, unless the derrick was placed exactly over the centre of the hatch, going to sea with tents insetad of hatch covers would not be recommended. It was probably illegal under IMO, Classification Society, Insurance and Flag State rules.

capkelly · Jul 7, 2019

Knowing how much it rains in Rotterdam I would imagine she was drying the tents over battened down hatches before folding and stowing them.

stein · Jul 7, 2019

Sounds more reasonable than anything I could come up with. With the amount of photographs of ships drying sails in harbour that I have seen, I ought to have considered it.

Cutsplice · Jul 8, 2019

I think Stein may well have a point she is in estuarial waters and in a light ship condition awaiting to load with hatches prepared tents in position to keep the holds dry.

TRAFALGAR

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CRANFIELD

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MMA

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