LANDFALL IN THE DARK CONTINENT-"AFRICA"
LANDFALL IN THE DARK CONTINENT- “AFRICA”
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE- AUGUST 15, 2006
A cold freezing wind awakened our senses upon arrival at Maputo pilot station. We, the anchor party have been summoned at 1 in the early morning to prepare for anchoring as advised by Maputo pilots. Before going out, we sprayed mosquito repellent lotion. Malaria cases are prevalent in African countries. We need to have preventive measures when exposed to outside surroundings. Captain also ensured the validity of yellow fever vaccination of each crew as required for the maritime declaration of health and quarantine. Yellow fever is also endemic disease in Africa. Dengue fever and cholera cases have also been reported.
When the anchor was dropped at the pilot station, anti- piracy watch has been implemented again. We remained alert until dawn roving around the ship and maintained security watch. Meanwhile, Maputo pilots notified us via VHF radio for the scheduled berthing time which was 4 in the afternoon. In consideration for the highest level of high tide and the ship’s draft, the submerged portion of the ship. After the anti- piracy watch, we took a nap then made necessary preparations for berthing such as lying out of mooring ropes and rigging of pilot ladder.
The pilot boarded at 4 pm and maneuvered the ship to the pier. The first line ashore was made fast by the line men to the pier. Finally the ship was in her position after all mooring ropes have been cast on. The port officials boarded and cleared the vessel. Cargo holds have been opened at the same time for surveyors and consignee. Stevedores, crane operators and tally men boarded then the unloading operations began.
On the next day after my duty, a ship chandler named Senora Johanna came on board. She gave the list of consumable goods to Captain and Chief cook for our ships provision. I asked her if I could have a ride in her car to the city coz I need to buy personal things for daily use. She approved, my shipmate and I went with her.
For the very first time since we embarked in China, I have set foot on land, in the Dark Continent called “Africa”. We drove around the city streets of Maputo. The buildings are very old. It has also a fortified structure with canons just like Intramuros. It was used to be a fortress of the Portuguese navy in the 15th century. Mozambique is a former colony of Portugal. The official language is Portuguese, English is also spoken. Senora Johanna dropped us at a supermarket and after an hour she picked us up on her way to the ship. I gave her five dollars for the fare. My mates asked me about the situation outside. After their work, it was their turn to discover the city of Maputo. They went shopping, ate in a Chinese restaurant, and made telephone calls.
Maputo, formerly Lourenço Marques, city in south-eastern Mozambique, capital and largest community of the country, located on Delagoa Bay (an arm of the Indian Ocean). Maputo’s protected deep-water harbour serves as Mozambique’s main port and as an important outlet for the landlocked countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Exports include cotton, coal, sugar, sisal, and processed food. The city’s manufacturing industries produce refined petroleum, building materials, clothing, footwear, and food products. An old Portuguese fortress (1787) and the ultra-modern Mousinho de Albuquerque Square are both well-known landmarks. In the city are Eduardo Mondlane University (1962), the Museum of Natural History, and the National Library. Tourists are attracted by the fine sandy beaches here.
Maputo was founded in the late 18th century in a region visited (1544) by the Portuguese trader Lourenço Marques, after whom it was named until 1976. It replaced Moçambique as the colonial capital of Portuguese East Africa in 1907 and maintained this position when the country achieved independence in 1975.
18th of August at noon, discharging operations were completed. In our three and a half days of stay at Maputo, no problems we’ve encountered with regards to ship security and unloading operations. Thanks for disciplined policy and implementation of security by port authorities. We left Maputo at 1 in the afternoon and sailed south bound for refueling and ship’s provisions to pick up in Durban, South Africa.
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE- AUGUST 15, 2006
A cold freezing wind awakened our senses upon arrival at Maputo pilot station. We, the anchor party have been summoned at 1 in the early morning to prepare for anchoring as advised by Maputo pilots. Before going out, we sprayed mosquito repellent lotion. Malaria cases are prevalent in African countries. We need to have preventive measures when exposed to outside surroundings. Captain also ensured the validity of yellow fever vaccination of each crew as required for the maritime declaration of health and quarantine. Yellow fever is also endemic disease in Africa. Dengue fever and cholera cases have also been reported.
When the anchor was dropped at the pilot station, anti- piracy watch has been implemented again. We remained alert until dawn roving around the ship and maintained security watch. Meanwhile, Maputo pilots notified us via VHF radio for the scheduled berthing time which was 4 in the afternoon. In consideration for the highest level of high tide and the ship’s draft, the submerged portion of the ship. After the anti- piracy watch, we took a nap then made necessary preparations for berthing such as lying out of mooring ropes and rigging of pilot ladder.
The pilot boarded at 4 pm and maneuvered the ship to the pier. The first line ashore was made fast by the line men to the pier. Finally the ship was in her position after all mooring ropes have been cast on. The port officials boarded and cleared the vessel. Cargo holds have been opened at the same time for surveyors and consignee. Stevedores, crane operators and tally men boarded then the unloading operations began.
On the next day after my duty, a ship chandler named Senora Johanna came on board. She gave the list of consumable goods to Captain and Chief cook for our ships provision. I asked her if I could have a ride in her car to the city coz I need to buy personal things for daily use. She approved, my shipmate and I went with her.
For the very first time since we embarked in China, I have set foot on land, in the Dark Continent called “Africa”. We drove around the city streets of Maputo. The buildings are very old. It has also a fortified structure with canons just like Intramuros. It was used to be a fortress of the Portuguese navy in the 15th century. Mozambique is a former colony of Portugal. The official language is Portuguese, English is also spoken. Senora Johanna dropped us at a supermarket and after an hour she picked us up on her way to the ship. I gave her five dollars for the fare. My mates asked me about the situation outside. After their work, it was their turn to discover the city of Maputo. They went shopping, ate in a Chinese restaurant, and made telephone calls.
Maputo, formerly Lourenço Marques, city in south-eastern Mozambique, capital and largest community of the country, located on Delagoa Bay (an arm of the Indian Ocean). Maputo’s protected deep-water harbour serves as Mozambique’s main port and as an important outlet for the landlocked countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Exports include cotton, coal, sugar, sisal, and processed food. The city’s manufacturing industries produce refined petroleum, building materials, clothing, footwear, and food products. An old Portuguese fortress (1787) and the ultra-modern Mousinho de Albuquerque Square are both well-known landmarks. In the city are Eduardo Mondlane University (1962), the Museum of Natural History, and the National Library. Tourists are attracted by the fine sandy beaches here.
Maputo was founded in the late 18th century in a region visited (1544) by the Portuguese trader Lourenço Marques, after whom it was named until 1976. It replaced Moçambique as the colonial capital of Portuguese East Africa in 1907 and maintained this position when the country achieved independence in 1975.
18th of August at noon, discharging operations were completed. In our three and a half days of stay at Maputo, no problems we’ve encountered with regards to ship security and unloading operations. Thanks for disciplined policy and implementation of security by port authorities. We left Maputo at 1 in the afternoon and sailed south bound for refueling and ship’s provisions to pick up in Durban, South Africa.
posted by Arez at 8:37 PM
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