*******THE BEGINNING*******

So, as I begin my blog  I would like to mention that this POST sketches out my feelings as a seafarer and the life that we think is easy but the actual scenario is far more different.

THE FIRST DAY

27th  Aug 2008 , Mumbai International Airport, I am holding a one year long contract in my hand and wondering how would life be on-board as a CADET.

My flight was on time and as the plane took off I said to myself India I'll see you after 1 long year, this was my first international flight and rather then being excited I was nervous simply because of one reason- I was going to the sea for the first time and with all what information and stories I had heard from my seniors during my pre-sea time...lets just say my hopes and expectations were not to high

The moment I landed in Malaysia it was morning and I was clueless as to what had to be done with the immigration form that the pretty air hostess had handed over and to make matters worse I saw people from my flight taking a train....I was shell shocked and thought that no the freaking airport could not be that big!!!

But, me being me, instead of asking people for directions , decided to take that train and luckily I was right and felt relived when a person (The Agent) was standing there holding a placard which had my name on it. He completed the formalities for me and told me to collect my baggage and wait for him outside.  

He also told me that the vessel was late for berthing and would arrive sometime in the afternoon and even though it made as much as sense to me as it would to a you people...the non-seafarers..I just nodded my head.

I still remember that I asked him to let me make a phone call home and tell my mother that I had reached safely. Well, I did make that phone call but just could not talk, not because I didn't want too, but because I was crying the whole time and by the time I recollected myself the phone got disconnected.

It took him 2 hours to arrange my clearance at the port and then finally there I was, standing next to a 146 mtrs long Chemical Tanker "M.T. VIDDEN".

M.T VIDDEN ( LOOKS BEAUTIFUL , DOESN'T IT ??)

                                           

Two people came down from the gangway ( the ladder) and helped me with my luggage and I still remember the exact words one of them said to me " Bhai iss mein aisa kya laya hai jo ki itna bhaari hai" and my innocent and scared reply was " sorry sir , aap ye waalo le lo , ye halka hoga"!!!!

Then, a man walks towards me and I can't resist to describe his appearance because this is the main reason behind me starting this blog.

This man wearing a orange boiler suit, eyes puffed out , lots of beard , and the boiler suit was full of stains and grease and he drew his hand forward towards me and said " Hi, CHIEF OFFICER"  

OMG, I was shocked and only one thing came to my mind that if the Chief officer's condition is like this what is going to happen with me, and trust me this was not it.

The crew member which helped me bring my luggage into what I though was my cabin but then I was told that there was shortage of cabin and that is why I was given the Owner's Cabin.I was then asked to report to the Master with all my documents and trust me I had never felt so scared in my life TILL THEN...I say that because after that there have been many instances, hahahaha..!!!

I knocked on his door , greeted him and just as everyone had described....I saw an Old Man which a creepy smile which pretty much said " GET READY TO BE SCREWED SON" 

Well , after while I was called on deck and told by Chief Officer to assist the other Senior Cadet and learn what to do. I was pushed and I worked till like mid-night and was told to report back at 6 in the morning and to make matters worse I didn't had an alarm clock. I requested the other crew members to give me a wake up call in the Owner's Cabin.

As my luck would have it...as soon as I came into the owner's cabin I got a call from the Duty Officer to shift in the Hospital..yes to the hospital...remember I told you about the shortage of cabins. Anyhow most of the night went into shifting my stuff and finally I was able to go to sleep only to wake up the next morning with the phone ringing. I pick up and I hear " You fu****r!!! Its 6.40 and I told you to be on deck by 6. Come and see me in the CCR."

And yes, of course , at that point of time then I felt that now this was the scariest moment in my life.

Well, I hope you liked my first post and would want to read the rest in my second post.!!!!