Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria



Sunday 1st of April 2005 and I think you understand my idea of having 1 page for each month. Now you don't have to download all the crap from March and April and thus saving time and money.

We had just completed loading when I came on my morning watch. It was a gloomy morning and last time we were here our agent told us that they expected 22-25°C in the weekend.

The only thing reminded me of the summer was a big wasp flying around on the bridge. A few
In medieval and modern Europe, holiday (May 1) for the celebration of the return of spring. The observance probably originated in ancient agricultural rituals, and the Greeks and Romans held such festivals.

Because the Puritans of New England considered the celebrations of May Day to be licentious and pagan, they forbade its observance, and the holiday never became an important part of American culture.

In 1889 the International Socialist Congress designated May 1 as a day in support of workers, and in some countries May Day subsequently came to be marked by parades and ceremonies noting especially the contributions of labour unions. After World War II, in the Soviet Union and the Soviet-bloc countries of Eastern Europe, May Day parades became important political and military observances.
weeks ago I saw a bumble-bee and soon we can expect mosquitoes. At 08:30 our Surveyor had his figures and he went ashore and he told me that he would be back in 2 hours with the correct density.

I was making fuss with our Cook while waiting for the Surveyor. At 10:40 our Surveyor came back with the final density and we could do the cargo calculation. At 11 o'clock we were ready with all the cargo documents and Immigration and our Agent came onboard.

We left Kaliningrad at 11:40. I was on deck in shorts and my jumper. It was a light summer drizzle, but it was warm and nice.

Our Cook saw me taking pictures at the departure. He's really grumpy now. He had expected his new camera to be delivered last time we were in Porvoo.
- I can get you a piece of wood and you can pretend it's your new camera. Then you can practice taking pictures on deck with it, I offered our Cook.
He didn't like the idea with the wood camera.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the poop deck at departure from Kaliningrad

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the fo'c's'le at departure from Kaliningrad

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the fo'c's'le at departure from Kaliningrad

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the fo'c's'le at departure from Kaliningrad

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Cook on the bridge watching birds

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Cook on the bridge complaining about his missing camera
Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal full of oil
Yeah, environmental friendly Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st Blah-blah

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal full of oil
We care about the environment Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st Blah-blah - Well economical growth is our Saviour! Hallelujah!! Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st

Our Cook got even grumpier at the dinner. I took ketchup on my broccoli and now they started to talk about me paying 150$ for eating. They didn't buy my argument that it takes 2kg of tomatoes to make 100g ketchup. Pure health in a bottle.
- Ketchup is only sugar, they said.
- I'm so disappointed, our Cook said.
- You will never make it, he continued.
- I had high expectations on you, he continued nagging.
- Yak-yak, blah-blah, nag-nag!!!!
He was talking the hind legs off a donkey and I got feed up. I took a portion with filet and salad and Captain can deduct 150$ from me. But do you think the blather stopped with that? No no, I don't know where our Cook gets the energy from. But he continued to rattle on. I grew jaded with it and I draw back to my cabin.

I finished the video I started yesterday and then I went to my night watch. Yeah-yeah, you guessed it. When coming to the bridge for my night watch Mr. Sullen was on the bridge.
And he was going on and on about the ketchup. I was about to jump overboard when he disappeared from the bridge.

He came back smiling Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st 5 minutes later with his computer.
- My Bluetooth isn't working, he said.
At the same time I had our Bosun on the radio asking me to help him with his computer. I told him that I will attend to his computer as soon our Cook's computer is working again.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Captain on the bridge complaining about his missing camera

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Captain trying to take my camera

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Monday 2nd of May 2005
and nice weather.....blah-blah -blah.... and no wind....... and yak-yak and we know the story already.
- OK, I'm sorry for that! I didn't know the weather was driving you up the wall.

Captain and I were sitting on the bridge enjoying our selves when the agent in Porvoo called us. He told us that we should go alongside at 21:00 tonight. Captain asked about the cameras they ordered from Sweden.
- Is there any parcel for us from Sweden? Captain asked.
Well, no parcel for us. Setback after setback, but they never give up and I admire them for that.

Latest news from the blackguard in Sweden was that he had issued a description of the cameras. They had issued a warrant for the cameras. They ordered the cameras a very long time ago. And I think they tried to save a dollar or two when ordering from Sweden. Well, they have been waiting for weeks. But at least there is a warrant and a description is issued.

I reminded them about the wood camera.
- I can get you one wooden camera today and you can walk around pretending taking pictures.

On the phone
Talking with the Agent in Porvoo

I really hope Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st they get their cameras soon. I'm taking a lot of pictures and they all want to take pictures and it is about half of the crew that ordered cameras. Same Canon model as I have. I have to listen about their cameras every day and I also get threats.
- When I get my camera! etc etc

While sitting on the bridge enjoying the weather we ran into dense fog. But the fog only lasted for some 30 minutes and it was sunshine and blue sky again.

We're overtaking Indian Ambassador in the Gulf of Finland. She's bound for Porvoo and she is loaded with 30 000 tons of fuel oil.

M/T Indian Ambassador
Indian Ambassador in the fog.

M/T Indian Ambassador
Indian Ambassador in the fog.

M/T Indian Ambassador
Indian Ambassador in the fog.

M/T Indian Ambassador
Indian Ambassador in the fog.

M/T Indian Ambassador
Indian Ambassador in the fog.

Our Cook was a little disappointed about the news from our Agent in Porvoo. Yesterday they told us that we had to wait at the anchorage. Our Cook was happy about that because then he could sign off on Tuesday the 3rd of May. Coming inside tonight means that the Cook on holiday had to Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoriasign on a little too early as he should be home about 5 weeks.

Our Agent called us again and told us that we had to drop anchor at arrival and our Cook can sign off tomorrow together with our 2nd Officer. They expected us to go alongside tomorrow morning. And as you guessed, our Captain didn't ask about the cameras again.

Within 5 minutes our Cook had packed his bag. I stumbled over his bag after lunch when I went out on deck for a test run of our ODME.

Well, at least we can say that he's enthusiastic about going home. But I have never seen anyone pack and put their luggage stand-by at the exit 24 hours before signing off before.

After my watch I went to the engine room and I made a new hole in my belt and then I spent my Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoriawatch below walking on deck. At 7 o'clock I went to my cabin for a shower and a Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stfew minutes of relaxation before my night watch.

I had received e-mail from our Captain that's home on holiday yesterday. I asked him if he could find an iPod for me at home. He found out where I can buy an iPod. I had to order the iPod online and they will send the iPod to him and he will bring it next time.

I had planned to connect myself to the internet on my night watch. We had dropped anchor at 19:50 so I could enjoy myself while watching our anchor position.

Well, I had been up and running for 1 minute when I got the dreaded blue screen. What the foock! I had to spent valuable time trying to fix my window. At 21:00 I was up and running again.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB working on poop deck

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB working on poop deck

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Seacat - The ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Seacat - The ferry between Helsinki and Tallinn

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Cook on the poop deck complaining about his camera that never comes

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Cook on the poop deck

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB painting on deck

I called our holiday Captain and I told him that I had ordered the iPod and that they will send it to him. First thing he asked was if I had updated my page.
- Bip no! I was running in to trouble with my computer. I just finished ordering the iPod. But I will upload my page ASAP.
- That's good! I will check it out after the hockey game, he said.
Yeah-yeah, busy in Farmerville. There must be plenty fun to do! If it wasn't for www.aladdin.st they would have, yeah, well, what would there be to do?

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Cook is so excited to sign off so he drop a bucket of water in the stairs

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Cook is so excited to sign off so he drop a bucket of water in the stairs

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Cook is so excited to sign off so he drop a bucket of water in the stairs

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Tuesday 3rd of May 2005
and I had time to drink my tea before we started to heave up our anchor and we had our anchor up at 10:10.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
In the duty mess before arrival to Porvoo

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the fo'c's'le at arrival to Porvoo

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the fo'c's'le at arrival to Porvoo

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun taking picture of our Motorman

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Our Motorman

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the fo'c's'le at arrival to Porvoo

We had all fast at 10:45 and our Cook and 2nd Officer was running over the gangway as soon it was ashore. Their flight was leaving 12:50 I think. Their driver should pick up arriving 2nd Officer and Cook at the airport when leaving the off signers.

Before leaving he told me that he expected “daily” reports from the ship on e-mail.
Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st- Oh sure thing! Otherwise you will be bored to death at home, I said.
- No no, it will be so fun coming home again!
Hmm, don't we recognize this prattle by now?

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Don't touch my salad!

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Don't touch my salad!

When our agent came onboard he told me that they just called him and told him that our hard drives had arrived.
- I will bring them later, he said.

After my watch I went ashore for a walk and I walked until 5 o'clock when I had my dinner (salad). After the dinner I went ashore again and I took a walk together with Captain. He told me that our hard drives had been delivered just before dinner and I got my hard drive when we came back. I had time to copy my stuff to the new hard drive before going on my night watch.

We left Porvoo at 19:35



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Wednesday 4th of May 2005
and it was dense fog when I came on my morning watch. It was dense fog the whole day, except for 1 hour or so before lunch.
Our Cook brought salad and a slice of rye bread for me to lunch and that was the only exciting thing happening on my watch.

Otherwise there wasn't very much happening on the 4th of May. I was walking on deck between 16:00 and 19:00 with a short break for my salad.

I had time for a shower before my night watch and I had time to record 2 MiniDiscs® on my night watch. Now I have new music for my constitutional Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st on deck tomorrow afternoon. We dropped anchor at Baltiysk anchorage at 22:35. Latest news from our agent is that we will get pilot 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

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Thursday 5th of May 2005
and we were still anchored when I came on my morning watch. But Baltiysk Traffic called us quarter to 2 and asked us to be on the way at 15:00. I ordered the engine to be ready at 14:40.

I went forward to the fo’c's’le with the AB and we started to heave up our anchor. Just before we started to heave up our anchor we could see the fog coming.

But we continued towards the breakwater and the pilot was onboard at 15:05. Well, we could proceed even though it was foggy. Anyway, the fog was gone after 30 minutes.

We had time to test the high level alarms before I got off my watch. Then I was straight down on deck with my sneakers. I walked to almost 7 o'clock with a short stop for salad in the mess room at 5 o'clock. And of course, I took the opportunity to take a few pictures of our 2nd Officer and AB on the fo'c's'le.

We had just started to load the crude oil when I came on my night watch.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB cleaning PV valves

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB cleaning PV valves

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB cleaning PV valves

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Building a new oil terminal in Svetley

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Officer and AB

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Officer on the fo'c's'le

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Officer and AB

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
They haven't given up the medal hopes for the next winter Olympic Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st

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Friday 6th of May 2005
and we had completed loading when I came on my morning watch.

First thing I did when coming to the bridge was to put on a kettle. While waiting for the
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)

Many crude oils come out from the well with high levels of hydrogen sulphide. Mostly the level of H2S is reduced by a stabilisation process.

But sometimes we load crude, fuel oil, gas oil etc with high levels of H2S.

I remember one time. Well, it's time for the “Back in the days” warning again.
I remember one time loading at BP's (Ups! Did I say BP?)terminal in Grangemouth.
We loaded fuel oil or VGO and I measured the tanks. It was very high levels of H2S.
I was told that they forgot to tell me that they had high levels of H2S in the shore tanks.

One time (oh yeah, we're really walking down the memory lane today) we were loading ( I think it was in Brofjorden) and there was a ship discharging next to us. They had too much H2S in the cargo so the terminal didn't want to have the cargo.

Well, anyway, H2S is very dangerous.
Typical effects of exposure to H2S:
50-100 PPM* gives you eye and respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour.
200-300 PPM gives you eye and respiratory tract irritation.
500-700 PPM makes you dizzy and gives you headache etc. Loss of consciousness within 15 minutes and possible death after 30-60 minutes.
700-900 PPM rapid unconsciousness and death with in a few minutes.
1000-2000 PPM Instant collapse and cessation of breathing.

* PPM= Parts per million
water to boil I went down on deck to measure the gas in out cargo tanks. 9 PPM H2S in the tanks, that's in the gas. I went back to the bridge and my tea.

The Surveyor came onboard at 09:55 with the final density and we could calculate how much cargo we had loaded. When we were ready our Agent came onboard with the Immigration Officers and we could leave Kaliningrad at 10:55.

On the way back to the bridge I passed our galley. I had me some cauliflower, fresh from the cauldron.
It's so nice with a new Cook onboard. When you're on a diet you don't have many choices. Like I told our Cook:
- It was very nice last time you signed off. New Cook with new dressing and stuff.

But after 2 weeks I was bored with this and now it's nice with a change. But I also told our Cook that it will be nice when he signs off and the other Cook is coming back.
- By then I'm fed up with your food and it will be nice to change.

Well, that's another 5 weeks until then and I hope I have lost another 15kg by then.

On the way out from Kaliningrad we could see 2 breeding Sea Eagles. There are plenty eagles and other birds of prey on the way out from Kaliningrad.

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Saturday 7th of May 2005
and it was dense for when I came on my morning watch, again! I'm getting sick'n tired of the fog now. Where is the spring?!

Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stThe fog disappeared at lunch time and one hour later I could see the first sail yacht for this year. I can't say that I have missed all those yachts. They can be a real pain in the behind. All those hobby Captains that have spent the winter learning the rules of the seven seas at evening classes. As a visitor to my web ship you know Rule 18 (a) a power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:
(iv) a sailing vessel.

Narrow channels can be full of dinghies sailing between the buoys in a fairway and TSS. They have a draft of 1m and can stay close to the shore.
Its ridicules when they are coming Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stin a small sail yacht and call them a sailing vessel.

But I understand them. They have spent millions on a new sail boat. They have spent 2 nights per week during the dark and cold period of the year studying to get the skipper licence.
On these evening courses they learnt all about THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, buoys and stuff. They have been waiting impatiently the whole winter for the summer. On the first sunny spring day they rush to the shop and buy a peaked cap before setting sail.

Before going to my night watch I checked my e-mail. My friend had been on a trade fair in Toyota trade fairJapan and he Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoriasent me pictures from the trade fair and his new apartment.

We were anchored when I came on my night watch.
Latest information from shore is that we will go alongside tomorrow morning 07:00.

While sitting on the bridge Omega af Donsö called me on the VHF. She was anchored next to us. It was one of my friends on the radio. He had signed on yesterday as Chief Officer.

I had not seen him for many years and we talked about the good old times. We will be home at the same time, late autumn and we will meet then and have a beer or two.

The world championship in ice hockey is in full Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stswing. Tonight Sweden and Canada is playing and I can hear the crew all the way to the bridge every time there is a goal.


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Sunday 8th of May 2005
and we were still at anchor when I came on my morning watch. I relieved 2nd Officer 20 minutes earlier because she had to take the off signing Chief Engineer and Engine Aladdin's adventure on board M/T AstoriaApprentice ashore with the MOB boat.

We got our on signing Chief Engineer onboard yesterday evening at the anchorage. He brought me some Seltin, that's a mineral salt for people on diet.

I never heard of Seltin before, but I got the tip from our former Cook before he went home on holiday. So I sent an e-mail to our Chief Engineer on holiday asking him to bring some of the wonder stuff when he was coming onboard.

We had our anchor up at 09:30 and we were alongside jetty #4 at 10:45. We started to discharge 25 minutes later.
Slow start 500m³/h until they had filled up their shore line and they could see that the crude oil came in to the tanks. When everything was OK we could increase to 2000m³/h.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun taking pictures while heaving up the anchor

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun taking pictures while heaving up the anchor

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun preparing the heaving line for arrival


Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun preparing the heaving line for arrival

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
And meanwhile on the bridge

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB with ice hockey results on his helmet: Sweden - Canada 5 to 4

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB with ice hockey results on his helmet: Sweden - Finland 5 to 1

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Taking more pictures

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on the fo'c's'le

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB and Bosun on the fo'c's'le

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Taking more pictures

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Taking more pictures

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Taking more pictures

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Officer

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria

Our Agent came onboard and this time Captain didn't ask about the parcel from Nettosat. I think that he has given up on the cameras. Nettosat seems to be another one of those www.scam.com that deceive people to buy stuff on internet.

At arrival to Porvoo I was on the fo’c's’le with Bosun. While mooring I called Captain on the bridge:
- Hey! There is a parcel on the jetty, do you think it's from Nettosat?
A few minutes later we could hear the Loading Master calling us on the radio.
- The parcel is for M/T Alcedo.

Loading Master is on the jetty at arrival to get us in the right position so we can connect the cargo arms. So when he heard me calling Captain on the walkie talkie he rushed off to see if the parcel was for us. When I got of my watch at 16:00 I went ashore for a walk with Captain.

Gorgeous weather and I could walk in shorts and a jumper. We walked from jetty #4 to jetty 2 & 3. Palva was leaving jetty #2 and Captain wanted to watch them leaving.

I went onboard on Omega af Donsö, she was loading at jetty #3. I meet my friend in the CCR. I recognized the CCR from the days I was working on her. Her name was Rankki back then and the only changes were that there was SAAB radar instead of the Whessoe meters that we had.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Omega af Donsö
Omega af Donsö

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Omega af Donsö
Omega af Donsö

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun on poop deck at departure from Porvoo

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Officer on monkey island at departure

I met my friend and we talked for a while. They had just completed loading and they were waiting for the cargo documents. I returned to Astoria and the dinner.

We left Porvoo at 20:35 on a sunny evening.

After departure I ran in to the Chief Engineer in the stairs. I was on the way to the bridge and he was on his way down. I saw him chewing with the whole face.
- What are you eating? Chocolate?
- It's broccoli!
Sunset over Porvoo
Sunset over Porvoo

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Officer taking over the watch at midnight

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
New AB coming on watch at midnight

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Monday 9th of May 2005
and dense fog when I came on my morning watch. Our 2nd Officer told me that there had been fog since 2 o'clock in the morning.

I could see the sun and the blue sky above the fog. As you can see on the picture on your right hand side the fog isn't reaching very high. So when staying high on the ship you can see the blue sky. Sometimes you can even see the top of the superstructure and masts on ship sticking up above the fog. We came out from the fog at 09:45 and the day turned from foggy to sunny.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Fog

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
The morning turned in to a gorgeous day

I enjoyed my watch with good music. I sipped my tea while ponder over our Captain's Body Butternewfangled ideas. I caught him this morning with a jar of body butter. BODY BUTTER! PLEASE! Help me out here! What the bip is body butter?

I have never heard of body butter before and not even in my wildest dreams I could have imagine there were something like body butter. And just thinking about where to use the body butter makes me sick!
- What is this? Captain asked while fumbling with the jar.
- WHAT IS THIS!!!!??? I never seen something like this before, I said
- Please! I'm not interested in being exposed to your Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoriaprivate life first thing in the morning, I said.

Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st Next time I hope he warns me before pulling a rabbit like that out of his hat. This is not the kind of stuff you want to run in to first thing in the morning. Well, I don't care about people's private life as long as they keep it to themselves.

When I showed him the picture of the Body Butter, “ghastliness in a jar”, he told me that he would give back when he got his camera.
- Where have I heard that before?

Times turns fast in the sunshine and soon our Cook was knocking on the door to the bridge. My salad, yummy! I was very hungry, I gave up the bread in the morning and I have taken up the flaxseed again. Somehow I believe that I will lose quicker eating, well, swallowing flaxseed in the morning instead of eating rye bread.

The fog returned in the afternoon and when I came on deck for my stroll after my watch it was very cold. After my diner I managed to take a short power nap and I finished the video I started yesterday when I woke up.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Officer on deck

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB and 2nd Officer on deck

The sun was shining when I came on my night watch. 2nd Officer told me that it had been dense fog during her watch. The fog had disappeared 20 minutes before I came on Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoriamy watch. I don't mind the sun, but I had to pull down the sun screens to cover the windows facing west. We had a beautiful sunset around 22:00 this evening. Now it's almost day light until midnight.

I called Baltiysk Traffic 2 hours before arrival to #1 Light buoy. When I came closer to Baltiysk roads I could see that they were shooting with tracer shell and tracer ammunition.

I could also see the fireworks ashore. Today they celebrate that it's 60 years ago Germany gave up the war. In some countries the celebrate 7th of May and in some country it's the 8th of May. But in Russia it's the 9th of May.

We dropped our anchor at 23:35 and latest news is that the pilot will come 03:00 tomorrow morning and by then I'm Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st hopefully sleeping.

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Tuesday 10th of May 2005
and we were alongside jetty #3 when I came on my morning watch. M/T Stenberg stayed on jetty #4. She had completed loading and she left jetty #4 bound for Porvoo (I think) just after 10 o'clock.

We stopped loading at 10:00 and we shifted berth between 10:25 and 10:50 and we resumed loading on jetty #4 10 minutes past 11 o'clock. I called our Agent 20 minutes before I was going off my watch. I asked him to order a taxi for me.
- Everything is closed today. Its holiday, he said.
They are still celebrating the end of the war. Well, I'm saving my money, but the AB that asked me to buy CDs for him was dismayed. He ordered 10-20 music CDs. Deep Purple, Rolling Stones and some other stuff. When he asked me to buy Status Que I asked him to slow down a few notches.
- Status Que is for old timers and it's not good for my image to buy Status Que records.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Kaliningrad Port Oil Base in Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal

They told us that we can leave today if we're ready before 18:00. We completed loading around 18:30 and I could do a little paperwork and play mischief with Captain while waiting for the cargo documents. Cargo documents were onboard at 22:00. We called our Agent and asked if we could depart this evening.
- You have to wait until the morning convoy.
Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stWell, I had time to see the last period in the Sweden - Latvia ice hockey game. Sweden beat Latvia with 9 - 1. Kind of expected so 9 to 1 wasn't any surprise.


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Wednesday 11th of May 2005
and we were waiting for Agent & Immigration when I came on my morning watch. We left Kaliningrad 10:20 and Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal is beautiful. All the trees are green and there are plenty birds to watch. What a difference from a few months ago.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
AB coming on the bridge

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
As long as there is hope...

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Kaliningradskiy Morskoy Kanal

Baltiysk Navy base
Russian navy ships in Baltiysk.
Please note all the light green trees.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Leaving the Pilot at Baltiysk

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Leaving the Pilot at Baltiysk

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
2nd Pilot leaving

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Taking up the pilot ladder

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Chart over Baltiysk

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Taking up the pilot ladder with the crane

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
- Puh hvor er jeg træt! Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st

Our pilot left us at 13:05 and it was nice to leave Russia behind. I made some tea and I turned on our entertainment center. Captain came up to babbled and prattle for the rest of my watch. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st
Well, guess who turned a deaf ear to all the cackle.
Well, I don't understand, but maybe there is someone out there than can help me out. But where do they find all their time? Send me an e-mail if you think you have the answer!
We have to listening to:
- Very much to do.......yak-yak..... paper work...... Sent an e-mail this and that....

And the prattle and blather goes on and on:
- Yap-yap..... pushed a button yesterday.....blah-blah......I only got 13 hours 20 minutes of sleep today.....paper work....babble...babble

Well, anyway, he was on the bridge taking a picture of me. It must have been the millionth picture he took of me with my camera.

I have erased most of them, some of them I have kept. The smaller I get the more pictures I can save. Some people have complained about the pictures of me on my web page.
Dog leash, Hund koppel
My dog leash? No it's my belt.
- We can only see 2 eyes and a nose on the pictures of you.
- Be glad that you can't see the 2,3 meter between the back pockets on my trousers.

Well, this time he got my belt hanging down to my knees so I took it for my web page. Since I started to loose weight people are asking me where my dog is when I'm out walking.
- My dog???!!!
- Yes, you're dragging your dog leash after you.
- Oh no! That's my belt hanging down now when I lost weight.

Our Captain that's home on holiday called us during the afternoon. He told me that they were waiting for the 60GB iPod in the shop.
- They have a 30GB iPod in the shop and they are waiting for the 60GB to be delivered, he said.
He will sign on next Monday and they don't know if they will get the 60GB iPod in time.
- Do you want me to buy the 30 GB if they don't get the 60GB in time? He asked.
- Well, I don't know. I will think about it until tomorrow. I call you back tomorrow.

The 60GB iPod is about 650 US and the 30GB is about 470 US. Hmm, I don't mind saving 180 US Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoriabut then I'm sitting with a 30GB iPod when I ordered a 40GB from the beginning.

There is nothing worse than having bought the cheaper one and then you regret yourself when it's too late. So I think I'm better off with the 60GB, but I see tomorrow.

My night watch started with sunshine and then we entered dense fog. After some 30 minutes we came out from the fog and it was gloomy and grey.

I had been on my watch for 40 minutes or something when Captain came to the bridge. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st I told him that I thought it was going a little slow with my diet.
- There is nothing more to cut down on, he said.
- Well, fasting is the next step, I said.

We will get provision in Porvoo. We sent an e-mail to the ship chandler and asked if they could arrange a 10 days fasting package for me. We had already ordered 3kg of lint seed so I can prepare myself for the fasting with the lint seed for a few days.

+++++++++++++++
Thursday 12th of May 2005
and the first thing 2nd Officer asked me when I came on my morning Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoriawatch was:
- Are you going to fast?
- Yes, I ordered 1 pack for 10 days
- Then I will order a pack as well

Our Ship chandler called us a few minutes later. He told us that they only had fasting package for 7 days available.
- Well, that's good enough, we said.

7 days plus 3 days preparing with only flaxseed makes it 10 days.

I sent an e-mail to our Captain home on holiday. I told him that we could order fasting packages from our ship chandler. I told him that 2nd Officer and I will start next week.
I also told him that we could order more when he came onboard so we could fast in June as well. Aladdin's adventure on board M/T AstoriaIf he's not giving up after 4 days again. Last time was at least to say a pathetic try to keep a diet.

We had all fast at jetty #2 in Porvoo at 18:40. We got our provision at arrival and we started to discharge at 19:10.

On my way from my cabin to the bridge for my night watch I could see an empty box in Captains Office. Well, not exactly empty, my 1GB memory card was still in the box. I inserted the new card in my camera and I went in to Captain’s cabin. But first I surveyed the area thoroughly, I didn't want to run in to any “Body Butter” or any other ghastliness. As I suspected, he had ripped his camera box open and now his battery was in the charger. I took the first picture with my new 1GB memory card and I rushed off to relieve 2nd Officer on the bridge.

Canonn ixus
Captains new camera.
First pic with my 1GB card.

Fasting
Fasting package.

2nd Officer was chocked when she came to relieve me at midnight. (Our fasting packages had been delivered and she had seen them in the kitchen before coming on watch)
- Is that what we can drink during 7 days? She asked.
- I thought it was much more juice. I thought we should drink like there was no tomorrow, she continued.
- You can drink water and tea, I said.

+++++++++++++++
Friday 13th of May 2005
and I called my friend in Sweden after my watch. He told me that Sweden Skåne flag, Skånska flagganhad beaten Switzerland with 2-1 in ice hockey. They are now in semi final.
- Guess who became player of the game, my friend said.
- Well, it must have been Jörgen Jönsson from Skåne. Next time try to surprise me!

When I came on my morning watch we had left Porvoo and Finland behind. I was enjoying my tea and the weather while waiting for Captain to come up with his new camera. I had good music going so I wasn't in need for anything.
-I will give back when I get my camera.
I have heard this every time I had seen him the last few weeks. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st So now I'm waiting for him and his camera. And I didn't had to wait very long before he came. (I had expected him to sleep longer today, there had been a late night e-mail to send) But I was surprised, or maybe not. I could hear him potter with his camera when I went to bed after midnight and I thought to my self that “he will be up early with his new camera”.

Canon ixus
Coming on the bridge with his new camera

Canon ixus
Coming on the bridge with his new camera

Canonn ixus
Coming on the bridge with his new camera

Canon ixus
Coming on the bridge with his new camera

Canon ixus
Coming on the bridge with his new camera

+++++++++++++++
Saturday 14th of May 2005
and we were anchored at Baltiysk roads when I came on my morning watch. Allsvenska tabellen

M/T Stenberg is loading at jetty #4 and she's expected to leave at 11:00 and we will go inside at 15:00 according to information from our Agent.

That's good, maybe we can see the soccer today. Today there are a few important games in the Swedish soccer league. Malmö, against Kalmar. If Malmö win they will be second in the table after Helsingborg as I'm sure that Helsingborg beat Gothenburg Skåne flag, Skånska flaggantoday. Landskrona will abase Assyriska tonight and pass Gothenburg in the table. 3 teams from Skåne in the top of the table. Well, we are used to it by now. I really don't care, but it is fun to peter the rest of the crew

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Bosun and Chief Engineer on deck

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Chief Engineer taking a picture

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Chief Engineer taking a picture

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
And Captain busy on the bridge with his new camera

I went out on deck with Bosun and Chief Engineer before lunch . We had to take a look at the purging pipe to our FRAMO pumps. We fill the cofferdams with 5 litres of gas oil and every tenth voyage we purging the pumps and fill new gas oil in the cofferdams.

Now the thread on the purging pipe is getting thorn as we need to unscrew the pipe when filling the gas oil in to the cofferdam. Our Chief Engineer will see if he can make a bifurcation on the pipe so we can fill the gas oil without having to unscrew the pipe. One day the last thread will be gone and we're sitting in the hot seat.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
I'm confident that if it isn't a gold medal it will at least be silver

Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st Meanwhile Captain was practicing the bobsleigh. I must say that he looks to be in a good shape and we expect a medal next winter Olympic. Finally all the training and sweating will pay off. We will enjoy his medal like we won it ourselves!

When I came on my night watch we had just started to load. I had to set up a radio link with the dayroom. All the important soccer games today. Well, I was disappointed, there were no soccer today. They will play tomorrow, 15th of May. I don't know why I got it all mixed up. It's only the 14th today. But there was the semi final Sweden - Czech Republic in ice hockey during the night.

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Captain pestering me on the bridge

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Suddenly! There was a paper to sign

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
No end to the paper work

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Captain pestering me on the bridge

Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Astoria
Captain pestering me on the bridge

+++++++++++++++
Sunday 15th of May 2005
and we were waiting for the surveyor when I came on my morning watch. I had time for my flaxseed and a cup of tea before they came onboard just before 9 o'clock. We did all the paper work and we could leave Kaliningrad 10:05.

Well, 2 days to go before we start the fasting and then it's no more food. I have to Flaxseedprepare myself. Today and tomorrow it's only lint seed. And for lunch I had an appetizing “Lint seed surprise”. Amazing how something so healthy can taste so good.

When I came on my night watch I got the results from the Skåne flag, Skånska flaggan Landskrona - Assyriska soccer game. Landskrona won two to nil, that's what we had expected.

I asked about Helsingborg and Malmö. But they are not playing today either. I checked the newspaper again and it says that Landskrona will play 15th of May and Helsingborg and Malmö, will play on the 16th of May.

Hmm, all these important soccer games coming up must have made me very excited. I missed all the dates and mixed up the days. And believe me, there isn't all that to be excited about. Not for me because I'm not interested in soccer. It's just that that I'm the only one onboard not supporting team from Gothenburg. Or Flaxseedfrom Borås as my friend told me, after reading on my web page that Elfsborg was a team from Gothenburg.

Well, the only fun happening onboard now when I'm fasting and can't eat is that the Skåne team beats the teams from Gothenburg.

Our Captain had planned to go home on holiday at arrival to Porvoo this time. But the Captain at home had to stay home for a few days more so they will change next time again.

I hope that these extra days at home will give them time to deliver my 60GB iPod. I need the music when I'm walking on deck. I have my MiniDisc® but then I have to record new music when I'm tired of the songs on my discs. Then it's easier to have all my music on the iPod and to make play lists on the iPod. I can use my iPod as a backup as well.

Yeah-yeah, blah-blah and we split the month of May in to a second part HERE!


       
                  

OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
Jiffy (also jiff)

noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.

So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!

Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas

Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!

Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!

Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra

Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!

คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next” ข้างบนนี้

Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!

E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.

Flag of Skåne / Skånska flaggan Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.


                                       

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