Towards Kuwait

Thursday 4th December

It was still dark when I got up to the bridge in the morning. After awhile the Captain and Chief Officer arrived and the gear was checked I stood out on the bridge wing waiting for the pilot to arrive. At about 06.30 a car pulled up and out got the pilot who I met and took up to the bridge. It was now fairly light and the tugs had arrived which then proceeded to pull us out into the harbor and point us at the harbor mouth. “Slow ahead” commanded the pilot and as I pushed the telegraph ahead and watched the tachometer, nothing happened. The red “engine failed to start” started flashing and a few fevered phone calls were exchanged between bridge/engine room. After a few minutes the engines started and we proceeded under our own power, then the tug was let go. The problem turned out to be an air lock in the fuel supply system.

The rest of the morning was spent cleaning up the holds. However, when we came to get out for “smoko” found that someone had not only closed the door but turned the dogs on as well. We entertained thoughts on how long one could live on green bananas. Luckily the Bosun came along and opened the hatch letting us out. In future I will always post a “Men Below” sign before entering a hold!