Welcome Aboard Mariners Alike - Malaysia Rule The Waves

its hard to describe how a man could left everything he had on land and went out to sea...
its even harder to describe how bright the stars at night and how fresh the cool morning air when you are in the middle of the ocean...
the hardest thing is to describe how close you are to death and how god could took your life at any time...
come to sea and see for yourself...

GOD SPEED AND FAIR WINDS


come to sea and see for yourself

this blog is dedicated to mariners,navigators and seafarers alike, merchant or naval for others to had a glimpse of what we do and what we faced in the vast blue oceans.

Disclaimer :
Please inform in advance the owner of this site if you tend to use any postings entitled or labeled "story of watch keeping officer"..."nautical studies" and "panorama di laut biru" in this site for your website or for any other purposes.

The owner could be contacted through Facebook or email at kartefower_444@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you.

Friday, April 12, 2013

the story of a watchkeeping officer on holiday - another LIMA 2013....

entri cuti tanpa gaji....




the smell of jet fuels...roaring jet engines and heated tarmacs....plus the never ending sunshine are coming back to Langkawi...and i am again in Langkawi for the excitement of listening to the thundering   freedom of fighter jets flying in dumbfounded and fantastic maneuvers...

from the 26th till the 30th of March...i enslaved myself to the all the jets that were flying over the skies of Langkawi....i enslaved myself and my soul to the LIMA 2013....a revisited pilgrim that i made for the second time after the 2011 event...

here are some of me and my mates stunning photos taken during the 5 days event...

all of us are crazy about it...and were sniffing jet fuels like smoking cigarettes...

hahahahhaa...

Russian Knights in the Su-27UB Flanker C...or    
 something else...                       


looking at the future

the sweet Swedish Gripen of the Royal Thai Air Force



 everyone were amazed by the French flying skills....



 The Taufan Ganas of Smokey Bandits

also here is the American private air refueling corporation....


 checking the canard...



our own Malaysian American....the F/A-18D Hornet...in new light grey scheme

 the Aussies...with the E-737 Wedgetail...

 and also the Russian...with the Ilyushin Il-76

and also the Americans...with their P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft...

 not to forget the RMAF mud movers..the HAWK...


and the all time favorite...and also the pride of all Malaysian...the Su-30MKM...the ever feared TEDUNG SELAR....

-come to langkawi next year and see it yourself-



the story of a watchkeeping officer - Panama Canal

entri terusan wan mat saman...

The Bridge of The Americas


after 28 days of ocean passage...we arrive at the port of Balboa in Panama City located at Gulf of Panama..the capital city of Panama and also the Pacific entrance for the Panama Canal..
we anchored for a night when we arrived...and waited for our canal transit convoy orders from the canal authority which is on the next day morning..

most of us on board had never cross the Panama canal..so the atmosphere is full of excitement...

we were boarded by the pilots..the cable handlers and also their supervisors who will be the guys who handle the cables when we enter the 3 canal locks..and headed for the first canal lock, the Miraflores..


clearing the 2nd Miraflores lock...where literally our ship is climbing up to a higher ground

Miraflores had 2 sets of locks each side with 2 lock chambers enclosed by 3 lock gates...where it can accomodate 2 Panamax size ship on both side...

the Miraflores is also the entrance to the Miraflores Lake..which is enclosed by the 2 Pacific locks...

coming from the Pacific...this will be the first canal lock a vessel will enter and here you got the first glace of the intricate working of the lock systems..

we were escorted by two powerful tugs...each stationed forward and aft to assist our vessel in entering the canal and aligning itself straight to the canal entrance before the cable handlers and the locomotive took over..

the locomotive is used to guide and also to keep the vessel straight and steady in the lock chamber...

steel wires were sent from the locomotive to be tied up to the vessel and this is where the cable handlers played their roles

side by side at the Miraflores..further up is the Pedro Miguel lock before going thru the Culebra or Gaillard cut...a series of treacherous and narrow waterways..

we cleared the Miraflores lock and were inside the Miraflores lake..and we`re headed to the 2nd lock...the Pedro Miguel, a single chamber lock that completes the Pacific Locks..

from the Pedro Miguel we were ordered to come alongside at the buoy located 400 metres away from the lock..

we awaited for the southbound transit convoy to clear the Gaillard cut since the cut is narrow and the pilots insist to wait until the convoy cleared before we proceed up north

a Panamax bulk carrier heading southbound..part of the southbound convoy preps itself to enter Pedro Miguel

we proceed up river thru the Gaillard Cut..passing the Centennial Bridge...

that is the closest we can get to the lock chambers...you can put you hand on the walls...that is how close...


Culebra or Gailllard cut is a waterways..cutting through the rugged Culebra mountain terrain...forming an artificial valley..connecting the Pedro Miguel Lock in the Pacific Side to Gatun Lake and then through Gatun Lock at the Atlantic Side...

rain had reduced our visibility....a normality in tropical weather conditions...

we pass thru 7 miles of winding waterways...with mountain rigde on both sides...before coming to the arms of the Chagres River and into the Gatun Lake....

we arrive at Gatun Lock just after sunset...


the locomotive...or the mule as it is known...these are the workhorse of the Panama Canal...the machines that pulls the vessel in and steadies it while waiting for the water to rise up...


again here...the intricate working of the canal took place...the pilots assisted by tugs drives the ship closer and closer to the lock....and then orders the cable handlers to tied the vessel to the locomotives...3 each on port and starboard bow and another 3 both on port and starboard quarter...

they move in unison....bringing the ship inside the first sets of lock chambers....

then they stop....the gates were closed and then...like magic the ship were lowered down like nothing happened....

if going thru Miraflores is like climbing up a mountain..then going thru Gatun is climbing down...provided that you are coming from the Pacific Sides...unless it is vice versa if its from the Atlantic

there are 3 sets of lock chamber each on both sides of the Gatun Lock....and both were occupied by ships...going towards the Atlantic....


that is how close...the clearance...is a hand reach over to the gates....


most of us are first timers through the canal...and everyone is excited to have their photos taken...because nobody knows when are we gonna go through here since due to our  unexpected trade pattern...


maybe im stuck at checking at the vessel and the lock clearance for another god knows when....

-come to sea and see for yourself-
















Monday, February 25, 2013

the story of a watchkeeping officer - pacific

entri across the pacific ocean...and beyond






Nine Mike Lima Oscar Six had a very different trade route....she was destined to carry palm and coconut oils from East Malaysia and the Philippines...take it across the Pacific and have them discharged in the United States..

hearing that this ship is going to the US makes me tremble....the US coastguards...he discrimination among Muslims and Asians....tight security checks....possible terrorist threats.....all those craps...

but i have to face them....have to...because nobody cares about what are we facing and this is our livelihood....somebody have to do the donkey job coz no one else wanted to do it....

after our last port of call in Taiwan....taking in fuel and supplies...we head to the Pacific ocean....a vast open ocean...the largest ocean on this planet...that covers a quarter of the planet surface...contains 70 percent of the total amount of water....with it deepest stretch of water covers 11 000 meters....enough to dip the Everest without no one noticing....

the first two days.....it feels like any other oceans....ships are still around us....coming from the States...going to States like us....

then it started....



you see less ships....

lesser....

and then....nothing....

no ships at all...

nothing on the radio....
nothing you can see on the radar...
not even a glimpse of a ship can be seen around you.....

total emptiness.....


then it came to my mind....the prayers of the Breton`s fishermen....

'O GOD BE GOOD TO ME, THY SEA IS SO WIDE AND MY SHIP IS SO SMALL"

the prayers was so true...honest and humble....and you can see why the fishermen pray to god for his safety...and for the first time i do feel the same as him.....small...

the pacific was so wide...it takes our ship 28 days of crossings....with no land or ship sighted.....
we pass the closest land at 500 nautical miles.....that is as close as we get....

here....you do feel dwarfed by the magnificent creation of god almighty.....and you do feel that after all this times...we have been arrogant to the almighty God....we do...

sea birds and dolphins are the only living things that always playing around our ships...

the ocean are always calm.....since the captain decided to cross way south close to the equator where the weather was fine and tropical storms are rarely seen.....rains and rain clouds are the only visitors that passed us by day to day....

and here in the Pacific...is the place where i have travel to the past and the future...by crossing the International Date Line...where Sunday becomes on the next day the same Sunday and then it became Tuesday on the next day....no Monday....

the life on that 28 days....

it was not as stressful as working on ships on short voyages like the Melati class or the A class tankers....i have ample time to have a look see and for see my task....and even have spare times after all that....

still...working on any ships....it still the same...

we cross the ocean towards Balboa...where from there....another experience awaits...

-come to sea and see for yourself-

Monday, February 11, 2013

a navigator`s serenade - heartbreak one

a heartbreak...

that is what i have done and what i felt now
it crushes
like a massive projectile
that hits your heart
that crumple your ribs
punctured your lungs
and pierced your heart
leaving it into an induced trauma
bleeding
until it stops beating

i know that is how you feel
because i felt the same

-0426 - sunway/putra-

Thursday, January 17, 2013

a layman defense note - Gagah Samudera

entri kapal perang....





tis name the training warship....


Another milestone for shipbuilding industries and also for the Royal Malaysian Navy, Gagah Samudera was launched from the slipway of NGV Tech shipyard in Sijangkang proving that Malaysian can a achieve a feat.

The Gagah Samudera is a training ship built in Malaysia and designed by a Korean shipyard Daewoo.

The hull and superstructure were shipped from Korea before being assemble by NGV Tech in its facilities. By looking at the design, it is not much to say that the vessel had similar lines to the current Kedah class patrol vessel and RMN main surface combatant, the Jebat class frigate.

Owing to similar lines and hull design, shows that this training ship is purpose built to meet RMN requirements for a dedicated for training on surface navigation and principle on warfare for officers and other ranks personnel before being transferred to actual warships in the Armada.

The helideck located athwart-ship are able to accomodate the Fennec or Super Lynx helicopter operated by the Naval Airwing, and giving this vessel traits as a training ship, might also serve as a training platform for principle helicopter operations and landing technique.

Now...

what are the significance of this training ship....

looking at the ship closely...like i mentioned before, it does have lines and designs similar to our PV`s and frigates....suggesting that, if this ship does make it into service, it could possibly lead to something much more interesting within the next few year.

what kind of interesting stuff....

a corvette type warship to fill in the gap when the FAC`s going for retirement or additional PV type warships to full fill patrol duties in our EEZ might be a good guess, all built from the basic design taken from the Korean to build this training ship...

well let us pray that this ship, and the second training ship will be accepted and flying the RMN royal colours....

-Malaysiana Rule the Waves-



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

a navigator`s serenade - colours

entri warna warni bumi tuhan...










the different colorization of the same sunset in the northern pacific

-god almighty owns the seas and the heavens-



suara kasar - bendera rakyat is not a flaq of convenience

entri bendera dan negara....baca dahulu dengan perlahan2 sehingga...baru membuat rumusan dan keputusan...






the people flag

aku adalah rakyat malaysia yg merantau jauh ke negeri orang.dan hampir setiap hari aku.terputus hubungan separa total dengan kisah-kisah di tanah air....

adalah satu kejutan apabila melihat banyak yang telah terjadi ditanah air...banyak perkembangan dan perkara yang berlaku dalam negara...tapi pengkhususan disini adalah lebih kepada senario politik semasa dan pertembungan antara dua kuasa yang mahu terus memerintah dan yang mahu mengambil alih tampuk pemerintahan....

dalam hingar bingar dan kekalutan....aku terpandang satu foto yg memperlihatkan sesuatu yang dipanggil BENDERA RAKYAT....

the old flag that was made new...but was it really necessary to change...

ya...ia dikibar oleh kumpulan manusia yang berhimpun menyuarakan solidariti mereka kepada pemerintah sedia ada....disertai kumpulan politik yang melawan arus semasa....

sekali pandang...ternyata wujud perasaan curiga apabila kibaran bendera rakyat itu saling tidak tumpah dengan kibaran sang saka merah putih yg dikibar tetangga...hatta mirip kibaran bendera tetangga selatan..dengan hanya ada bintang pecah empat belas dan bulan sabit sebagai beza...

iya...pada pertama kalinya ia kelihatan seperti satu penghinaan kepada jaluran sedia ada yg sudah menjadi tanda gemilang negara yg dipanggil MALAYSIA....memperlihatka wujudnya gerakan subversif yg cuba membuat pergolakan dengan menghantar orang2 ini untuk mewujudkan satu polemik....

namun....aku ini mengambil jalan rasional....mencari jawapan sebenar...dari manakah datang bendera yang dipanggil bendera rakyat itu....

10 tahun sebelum merdeka
tekan untuk ke link situs yg dimaksudkan....


ia membawa aku kepada satu situs yang mendokumenkan perjuangan anak2 muda di Malaya sebelum gerakan kemerdekaan yang dicanang di dalam buku teks sekolah menengah...

disitus itu....ia menunjukkan kewujudan bendera rakyat dan versi nya circa 1947 di Malaya ketika itu...yang mana gerakan menentang pemerintahan kolonial sedang rancak...

tanda2 wujudnya saka malaya ini ada....buktinya ada sebelum Malaya merdeka lagi....tepat 10 tahun...ketika UMNO masih belum ada....dan sosialisme menjadi penggerak gerakan menentang kolonial....

Rasional

melihatkan akan adanya nilai sejarah yg pada ketika tulisan ini ditulis...aku menyedari akan kesinambungannya...serta makna mengapa bendera rakyat itu dikibarkan...

ia adalah tanda protes kepada pemerintahan sekarang....dan tanda kebangkitan rakyat

itu adalah amat pasti...

tapi disebalik itu....saya merasa amat sedih kerna ada yang mahukan perubahan kepada jalur gemilang sedia ada....hanya kerana protes mereka kepada pemerintahan sedia ada...

sebagai rakyat Malaysia...tanpa mengira apa jua fahaman politik...lambang negara perlu dihormati....ia adalah jati diri sebagai rakyat sebuah negara....

dan apabila rakyat negara sendiri tidak menghormati lambang negara sendiri...bagaimana untuk kita mendapat hormat dari bangsa lain terhadap kita warganegara Malaysia...

saya merasakan...adalah satu perkara yg baik bila kita kembali merungkai sejarah asal negara...dan belajar daripadanya..mengembalikan sejarah yg sengaja atau tidak sengaja di kaburkan dari mata masyarakat.....

namun menginjak perlambangan rasmi negara adalah tidak patut sama sekali untuk apa jua sebab sekali pun....biarpun asal JALUR GEMILANG itu tidak selari dengan BENDERA RAKYAT....atau bukan dari pelopor gerakan kemerdekaan yang sama sekali pun...ia adalah lambang rasmi negara dan ia perlu dipelihara...tanpa mengira fahaman politik atau pada siapa kita cenderung utk menyokong....

Evolusi


Jalur Gemilang still retain most of its predecessor traits...kredit foto BERNAMA

memperlihatkan saka yg merah putih dengan bintang pecah empat belas itu mempunyai persamaan dengan JALUR GEMILANG yg terus berkibar sehingga kini....tidak salah untuk saya katakan yg BENDERA RAKYAT yg asal itu sudah berevolusi....dari gerakan KMM kepada UMNO dan seterusnya mejadi simbol dan kebanggaan manusia yg warganegaranya Malaysia...

ciri utama BENDERA RAKYAT itu masih ada....bulan sabit dan bintang pecah empat belas dari bendera yg dikibar rakyat Malaya circa `47 dulu masih wujud pada JALUR GEMILANG...biarpun ia memperlihatkan ciri2 americana.....yang mengibar star spangled banner sejak dua ratus tahun pembentukan negara pak cik Sam itu....

begitu juga warna merah dan putih yg ada pada saka Malaya itu ada pada perlambangan rasmi negara kini dengan perubahan pada jaluran tujuh warna putih dan tujuh warna merah berselang seli bersama warna biru gelap yg melatari bulan sabit dan bintang pecah empat belas

...maka mengapa perlu menghina jaluran yg byk kegemilangannya itu....sedangkan ia juga adalah hasil revolusi dari rakyat juga yg menuntut kemerdekaan....yg terus mengekalkan kegemilangannya dari pelopor2 terdahulu....

Bendera itu tidak bersalah


yang amat pasti....JALUR GEMILANG tidak bersalah dalam hal dan isu politik semasa negara..hatta kepincangan mana2 pemimpin sekali pun....dan ia tidak perlu ditukar hanya semata-mata kerana ia berasal dari haluan yang lain..

Saka Malaya itu juga tidak bersalah....cuma ia tidak diiktiraf sebagai lambang rasmi negara pada ketikanya...tapi hadirnya dalam sisi sejarah negara tidak boleh diketepikan...malah harus di ketengah dan diketahui masyarakat akan kewujudannya....

apa bendera sekali pun....bukan satu tindakan wajar untuk rakyat sendiri menghina perlambangan rasmi negara....

yang perlu dipersalahkan adalah sesiapa yg anda rasakan perlu diturunkan dari pemerintahan...atau dikekalkan pemerintahannya.....itu adalah pasti....

jadi biarkan lah sang saka malaya menjadi sejarah dan biarkan jalur gemilang terus berkibar....



To The World
the merchantmen pride

part of my line of work is to maintain my vessel....flying Malaysian flag and registered in Malaysia to maintain its high standard of safety and conformance with international and flag state requirement in all aspect.....

this is to avoid any detention or remarks of non conformance by third party inspections or port state the ship is visiting...thus at the same time keeping a good name for the flag it carries...

many of us Malaysian landlubbers did not know this...but our line of work had a very close relations to the flag of the vessel....even more to vessel flying a Malaysian flag...

a part from being part of the global network of trade....a good track record in 3rd party inspection and port state inspection not only gives good business ratings...but it also reflects the flag state of the ship...

this is how us....Malaysian seafarers respect our flags....by keeping high standard of qualities in every aspects....so that the flag is not tarnished by bad records and observations that will effect the flag state of the vessel it self....

having to know that some people wanted to change the flag...for some political drives makes me sad...for it shows that what we have been doing before were not known by others outside the industries....

and to show to those who wanted to change the flag....this is our flag that you want to remove....which is flying on almost a thousand plus ship registered in a country called MALAYSIA...


the Malaysian Merchant Ensign


please....do what ever you want....but don`t change the flag....its our pride and joy...it is what drives us and reminds us of where we belong regardless of who and what will become of Malaysia....while we are out in the open ocean which is a no mans land...or in a foreign far away nations.....





its our identity....dont remove it....

-come to sea and see for yourself-