CALLAO,PERU
CALLAO, PERU- NOVEMBER 10, 2006
Two days of navigation from Ilo, we arrived at Callao. At 10 in the evening, the anchor was dropped at the anchorage area, thereafter our agent and Peruvian authorities embarked. They off boarded when their transactions with Master had been settled. The agent informed us that docking alongside would be on the next day, and the cargo surveyors expected to arrive in the morning for cargo inspection.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew has been ordered again to implement anti-piracy watches just like we did in the Malacca straits a few months ago. Callao is also a piracy-risk port according to IMB piracy watch list. We conducted safety rounds on board at time intervals while the engine department was having bunkering operations through a supply barge. We were sleepless until 5 in the morning due to piracy duties and on stand by while refueling in case of accidental oil pollution. After the bunkering operations, we took a nap until 9 in the morning then woke up again and assisted the surveyors for the cargo inspection. The surveyors have found wet cargo of maize at hold number 1 and wet Soya beans at hold number 2. The bad weather we have encountered after passing Magellan strait might have caused the damage to the cargoes. Captain ordered to remove the damaged cargo. We shoveled it off, hoisted and collected in an empty container. After the surveys, we laid out mooring ropes for the scheduled berthing at 1 pm.
We heaved up the anchor; the harbor pilot boarded and finally docked the ship in Puerto Callao. Immediately after berthing, cargo holds were opened and unloading commenced. Timely on my duty, ships supplies and requisitions arrived. All crew helped carry engine and deck stores on board. After my duty, I was relieved and turned over my watch to the next OS.
Callao is more populous city compared to Ilo because it is near to Lima, the capital city of Peru. The port has complete facilities to handle any types of vessel. Every day, many ships arrive and depart in the port. The harbor, sheltered by the island of San Lorenzo, is one of the most spacious in South America, equipped with all necessary facilities, including an extensive dry dock, with wharves, steam cranes, modern warehouses, and cold-storage plants. Callao’s chief exports are minerals, cotton, foodstuffs, wool, and hides. Imports include textiles, grain, machinery, paper, coal, and foodstuffs. Callao has manufacturing industries too, including sawmills, a sugar refinery, brewery, and an iron foundry. The National Technical University (1966) is also located in Callao.
Callao was founded by the Spanish in 1537, and thereafter it developed as one of the most active ports on the west coast of South America. Frequently raided by British buccaneers, the town was destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami in 1746, with the loss of 6,000 lives. It was later rebuilt, and remained in Spanish possession until 1821, when Peru achieved independence from Spain.
It took 3 days of discharging at Callao. I haven’t had a shore leave to the city. I’ve decided to stay on board because of too much work. However on the last day, my shipmates and I visited a souvenir shop located inside the port premises, a walking distance from our ship. The shop has complete souvenir items from Inca line, Peruvian handcrafts, alpaca and cotton clothing, wooden sculpted figurine, and knick-knacks of the Inca culture. I bought 3 shirts for my girlfriend while my buddies bought lot of souvenir items. We returned to the ship at noontime, had a lunch and rest. By 5 pm, the unloading at Callao ended. The harbor pilot boarded again together with the Autoridad Maritima Portuaria del Callao. After half an hour, port authorities disembarked. The pilot ordered to let go all mooring lines. We maneuvered out of the harbor then the pilot gave the command to Captain. From Callao, we sailed north to our last unloading port of Salaverry, also in Peru.
Two days of navigation from Ilo, we arrived at Callao. At 10 in the evening, the anchor was dropped at the anchorage area, thereafter our agent and Peruvian authorities embarked. They off boarded when their transactions with Master had been settled. The agent informed us that docking alongside would be on the next day, and the cargo surveyors expected to arrive in the morning for cargo inspection.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew has been ordered again to implement anti-piracy watches just like we did in the Malacca straits a few months ago. Callao is also a piracy-risk port according to IMB piracy watch list. We conducted safety rounds on board at time intervals while the engine department was having bunkering operations through a supply barge. We were sleepless until 5 in the morning due to piracy duties and on stand by while refueling in case of accidental oil pollution. After the bunkering operations, we took a nap until 9 in the morning then woke up again and assisted the surveyors for the cargo inspection. The surveyors have found wet cargo of maize at hold number 1 and wet Soya beans at hold number 2. The bad weather we have encountered after passing Magellan strait might have caused the damage to the cargoes. Captain ordered to remove the damaged cargo. We shoveled it off, hoisted and collected in an empty container. After the surveys, we laid out mooring ropes for the scheduled berthing at 1 pm.
We heaved up the anchor; the harbor pilot boarded and finally docked the ship in Puerto Callao. Immediately after berthing, cargo holds were opened and unloading commenced. Timely on my duty, ships supplies and requisitions arrived. All crew helped carry engine and deck stores on board. After my duty, I was relieved and turned over my watch to the next OS.
Callao is more populous city compared to Ilo because it is near to Lima, the capital city of Peru. The port has complete facilities to handle any types of vessel. Every day, many ships arrive and depart in the port. The harbor, sheltered by the island of San Lorenzo, is one of the most spacious in South America, equipped with all necessary facilities, including an extensive dry dock, with wharves, steam cranes, modern warehouses, and cold-storage plants. Callao’s chief exports are minerals, cotton, foodstuffs, wool, and hides. Imports include textiles, grain, machinery, paper, coal, and foodstuffs. Callao has manufacturing industries too, including sawmills, a sugar refinery, brewery, and an iron foundry. The National Technical University (1966) is also located in Callao.
Callao was founded by the Spanish in 1537, and thereafter it developed as one of the most active ports on the west coast of South America. Frequently raided by British buccaneers, the town was destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami in 1746, with the loss of 6,000 lives. It was later rebuilt, and remained in Spanish possession until 1821, when Peru achieved independence from Spain.
It took 3 days of discharging at Callao. I haven’t had a shore leave to the city. I’ve decided to stay on board because of too much work. However on the last day, my shipmates and I visited a souvenir shop located inside the port premises, a walking distance from our ship. The shop has complete souvenir items from Inca line, Peruvian handcrafts, alpaca and cotton clothing, wooden sculpted figurine, and knick-knacks of the Inca culture. I bought 3 shirts for my girlfriend while my buddies bought lot of souvenir items. We returned to the ship at noontime, had a lunch and rest. By 5 pm, the unloading at Callao ended. The harbor pilot boarded again together with the Autoridad Maritima Portuaria del Callao. After half an hour, port authorities disembarked. The pilot ordered to let go all mooring lines. We maneuvered out of the harbor then the pilot gave the command to Captain. From Callao, we sailed north to our last unloading port of Salaverry, also in Peru.
posted by Arez at 8:59 PM
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