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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 28, 2003

OUR HONOLULU
No harbor safe with this crew

By Bob Krauss
Advertiser Columnist

Ninety-eight percent of everything in your home, your office and your children's classrooms arrives in Honolulu by ship. Here's an example about what can go wrong when a ship enters a harbor. Larry Kelley of Pacific Sea Transportation sent in this report that wouldn't be funny if it happened here.

A shipmaster wrote to his company that a mishap occurred as his ship steamed into harbor. The pilot had just come on board and an apprentice seaman was having difficulty rolling up the signal flag that had called for the pilot.

Since the flag was being rolled wrong, the captain said rather sharply, "Let go." The first officer coming in from the chart room thought he meant "Let go the anchor," so he relayed the message to the third officer on the forecastle, who promptly obeyed.

The port anchor roared through the hawse hole.This caused immediate repercussions because the ship was moving at full harbor speed.

Pressure from the anchor proved too much for the windlass brake. The entire length of the port cable was pulled out by the roots, along with much of the chain locker. Meanwhile, the braking effect of the port anchor caused the vessel to sheer to the right.

The captain gave a double ring on the engine room telegraph calling for maximum revolutions full astern. A friendly voice there asked what that night's movie was going to be. ("My reply would not be fit to report in a polite letter," the captain wrote.)

At the same time, the second officer was making fast to the harbor tug astern. The braking effect of the port anchor caused the tug to "run in" under the vessel just as the ship's propeller went full speed astern. However, prompt action by the second officer who secured the towing line prevented the sinking of the tug by a full 10 minutes, allowing the crew to safely abandon ship.

For some reason, there was a power outage on shore simultaneous to letting go the port anchor. The captain suggested that the ship may have passed over a cable area. But because of the shore blackout, it was impossible to assess the damage.

"The actions and behavior of foreigners during moments of minor crisis never fail to amaze me," wrote the captain. "The pilot, for instance, sat huddled in the corner of the cabin alternately crooning to himself and crying, having consumed a bottle of gin in a time that is worthy of inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records.

"The captain of the tug, on the other hand, reacted so violently that the steward had to handcuff him in the ship's hospital.

"I regret that a small misunderstanding has led to these unfortunate circumstances. Now I must close this preliminary report for I am finding it difficult to concentrate with the sound of police sirens and their flashing lights.

"This letter is written in haste in order that you will get my report before you form preconceived opinions from reports in the world press who I am sure will overdramatize the affair."

Reach Bob Krauss at 525-0873.