PASSAGE TO EDEN

Cruise to Eden

Our ship set sail towards the Indian Ocean, then picked up north westerly heading over the Arabian Sea. We continued with our training as well as performing ship’s duties such as keeping watch on the bridge and celestial navigation. The journey was approximately 7 days over the vast blue ocean.

Deck Volleyball









The sea was kinder to us on this leg as there was no storm. Some days the weather was almost perfect. Our ship XO organised deck volleyball on the ship maindeck. A long rope was stretch from the bow to the bridge. Then the volleyball was hung from this rope to prevent it going overboard. We really enjoyed the game and can get pretty competitive at times but it relieved boredom and also brought us some sense of normality. See photo above.


Land Ahoy!!!




Once again, we spotted landfall. The dark grey mountains appeared clearer and bigger as we approached the Red Sea. Eden is the capital of South Yemen. The harbour pilot guided us to our anchorage point. We did not have permit to enter the harbour. Instead the ship anchored a few miles off the coast. From here, we utilised the ship’s smaller boats, LCVP (Light Craft Vehicle and Personnel) to ferry ship’s personnel to and fro harbour. The Midshipmen were tasked with this duty. I was also part of the training.

Boat Handling

The LCVP had to be lowered to the sea with the derrick cranes. Boat handling was part of our training. We took turn to do ferry runs to and fro harbour under the watching eyes of the boat sergeant. The LCVP was armoured plated, designed to carry marines and light vehicles from ship and beach on land. It was fun and thrilling driving this boat. Coming alongside the jetty or shipside required judgement, some skill and experience. (That's me handling the boat)




Skin completely burnt

Over the month, I had so many sun burns until I had no more skin left to be burn. I was born dark and now become darker. Under the intense heat in the Middle East and the hot sun, I was now completely blackened. I wondered if my family and friends could recognise me. I had lost some weight too and now even more skinny.



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