Training never stop
I had been a momentous 7 days on the high sea and was really a humbling experience for most of us, 18 years old, we were neither kid nor grown-up. After the storm, we all had ‘grown up’ a little bit. We missed the comfort of home and really appreciated the calmer sea. While the living condition was not that great, we enjoyed the company of friends. There were some pressure while on training as we had to attend lessons, understudy the duties of various naval officers. We were rostered watch-keeping on the bridge as well as spending time in the engine room. We took it on our strides and not succumb to pressure as we were constantly appraised by our officers to judge our suitability to make the grade of naval officers.
Entering the Harbour
By the 8th day at sea, we were anxiously awaiting for landfall. It’s a kind of kid excitement; nevertheless I thought it very human. It has been ‘water, water, water everywhere’ so the first sighting of land got the whole ship excited. Man, we were going to walk on land again!
I had been a momentous 7 days on the high sea and was really a humbling experience for most of us, 18 years old, we were neither kid nor grown-up. After the storm, we all had ‘grown up’ a little bit. We missed the comfort of home and really appreciated the calmer sea. While the living condition was not that great, we enjoyed the company of friends. There were some pressure while on training as we had to attend lessons, understudy the duties of various naval officers. We were rostered watch-keeping on the bridge as well as spending time in the engine room. We took it on our strides and not succumb to pressure as we were constantly appraised by our officers to judge our suitability to make the grade of naval officers.
Entering the Harbour
By the 8th day at sea, we were anxiously awaiting for landfall. It’s a kind of kid excitement; nevertheless I thought it very human. It has been ‘water, water, water everywhere’ so the first sighting of land got the whole ship excited. Man, we were going to walk on land again!
Approaching the Harbour
Harbour Duties
The ship was met by harbour pilot who guided her into Colombo harbour. The crows and albatross were circling all over the ship. We took up duties manning the fenders and ropes as the tug boat berthed us alongside the wharf. There were hives of activities on the main deck as sailors secured the ship for the layover. Such as lowering the gantry and setting up the guard rails and erecting the guard post for guards. The ship needed to be tidy up as we foreign naval officers and visitors and all deck equipment must be properly stowed. As midshipman we were tasked to assist the officer to maintained security. Sentries were to book sailors out and salute any officer boarding and disembarking the ship.
The ship was met by harbour pilot who guided her into Colombo harbour. The crows and albatross were circling all over the ship. We took up duties manning the fenders and ropes as the tug boat berthed us alongside the wharf. There were hives of activities on the main deck as sailors secured the ship for the layover. Such as lowering the gantry and setting up the guard rails and erecting the guard post for guards. The ship needed to be tidy up as we foreign naval officers and visitors and all deck equipment must be properly stowed. As midshipman we were tasked to assist the officer to maintained security. Sentries were to book sailors out and salute any officer boarding and disembarking the ship.
The colombo harbour
First step with the sea leg
The navy call it shore leave. It means off day at specified times. For midshipmen, dress code remained long sleeves with ties. The weather was similar to Singapore, hot and humid. The first few steps on ground, we felt a bit apprehensive. We have been balancing each and every step while on board the ship. Now it was almost surreal that the ground was just too calm. As I have mentioned earlier, this was a good bargain for NS. 5 days free holiday in Ceylon. A trip had been planned for us to go up-country to the ancient capital city of Kandy.
Walking to the city of colombo
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