SUNRISE I

SUNRISE I SUNRISE 1 Leciałem na m/v Sunrise 1 trzy razy. Najpierw do Meksyku, potem Ekwadoru, następnie do Brazylii. W końcu poleciałem do Peru. Na szczęście, nie pakowałem się za każdym zawiadomieniem agenta o wylocie. Za to kilka razy żegnałem się z rodziną, a z kolegami dwa razy piłem na pożegnanie. W mojej domowej tawernie, przyjaciele grali, grzali i śpiewali, co zresztą czynili od lat, w ten sposób żegnając mnie przed wypłynięciem i witając po powrocie. Bogdan przygotowywał wiktuały, Leszek grał na gitarze i śpiewał marynarskie piosenki, a Stasiu dał koncert na keyboardzie. Krzysiu śpiewał arie operowe, nawet ja dałem się namówić na wysokie ”C”. Mieciu ustawiał aparaturę i węszył, jak by tu szybko wypić. Sławek z kolei dyskutował ze Stalinem o biznesach, a reszta piła i swawoliła. Same chłopy, więc wypić potrafią. Kiedy wylatywałem do Peru, do wspomnianego grona dołączyli jeszcze Bronek, pilot morski, przyjaciel z PSM -ki, u którego właśnie pobierałem nauki pilotażu oraz Jasiu, bosman, z którym niegdyś pływałem. - Przyjaciele! – wołałem, podnosząc kielich w górę. – Tym razem już na pewno wylatuję! Statek ma sto czterdzieści tysięcy ton i prawie trzysta metrów długości, kawał grata. A moja nowa morska dziewczyna, imieniem Wschód słońca, Sunrise, ma dopiero 24 lata, czyli właściwie jest dziewicą, no nie? - Przestań ględzić, ale powiedz wreszcie, gdzie lecisz? Chyba znowu cię bajerują i spotkamy się znowu za kilka dni na party! – krzyknął Bogdan. - Nie, tym razem to pewne. Lecę z Berlina do Madrytu, potem do Limy w Peru. Z Limy mam jeszcze dziesięć godzin samochodem, do San Nicolas. Tam Sunrise ładuje rudę żelaza do Chin. Załoga też jest chińska, tylko kilku oficerów to Polacy... Poleciałem z Pierwszym Mechanikiem Andrzejem. W samolotach przesiedzieliśmy prawie dobę, więc był czas na gadanie. Potem przespaliśmy noc w hotelu w Limie, żeby wreszcie wsiąść z oczekującym na nas greckim Superintendentem do samochodu Agenta i ruszyć do San Nicolas. I ta właśnie podróż była dla nas, zahartowanych przecież obieżyświatów, niesamowitym przeżyciem. Godzinami pędziliśmy przez pustynię, przecinając wysokie góry, z ich księżycowym krajobrazem. Filmowałem to wszystko. Byłem w Peru wiele razy, ale w tej chwili odkrywałem ten kraj jakby na nowo. Za szybami auta, gdzieś w dole przemykały puste oceaniczne plaże, zaś my, wysoko pod bezchmurnym górskim niebem, pruliśmy przez szare piaski pustyni. Niekiedy wpadaliśmy na płatną autostradę Panamericana, które podczas piaskowych burz staje się w wielu miejscach wręcz niewidoczna. Po drodze mijaliśmy także jakieś biedne wioski, uformowane z prymitywnych budek, skleconych z byle czego, niekiedy z liści palmowych, na przykład. - Co to jest? - zapytałem kierowcę. - Domy - odpowiedział. - To chyba niemożliwe! Ktoś w nich mieszka? - Biedota. Pośród gór trafiały się też jakby oazy, czyli nieco zieleni, otulającej dziwne baraki, który wydały mi się właściwie długimi namiotami. - To kurze fermy – lakonicznie objaśnił kierowca. – Jemy dużo białego mięsa... W pewnej chwili wiatr odsłonił brezentową ścianę jednego z baraków, pokazały się rzędy klatek z kurczakami. Nagle zjechaliśmy z szarych piaskowych gór na plażę i - jak za dotknięciem czarodziejskiej różdżki - otworzył się przed nami raj. Oto błękitna oceaniczna plaża, zewsząd otoczona palmami w kolorze soczystej zieleni, a na promenadzie pełno turystów, zaglądających do kolorowego wachlarza restauracji i barów. Umilała życie miejscowa muzyka, gitary wsparte piszczałkami, coś w rodzaju El Condor pasa. W zatoce rozsypały się jachty, motorówki i pasażerskie stateczki. No, wspaniałości. - Żyć, nie umierać! – wyrwało mi się. - Zapraszam na jedzonko! – wypalił Superintendent, który nosił imię George. . Zamówiłem oczywiście mariscos, czyli owoce morza. Trzeba przyznać, że były świeżutkie i w smaku pyszne. Popijane zimnym piwem, wprowadziły mnie w nastrój błogości. Ów nastrój spowodował, że na chwilę zapomniałem o szarej pustyni i biedzie w górach, która przed chwilą wprowadziła mnie w stan przygnębienia. George też się rozkleił, bo nieoczekiwanie zaczął opowiadać o dziewczynie, którą wczoraj przyprowadził sobie do hotelu. Poznał ją w nocnym klubie w Limie. - Mówię wam, była naprawdę śliczna. Miała dziewiętnaście lat...Jak wiecie, mieszkam od dwóch lat z żoną i dzieckiem w Rio de Janeiro. Tamtejsze dziewczyny mają miłość we krwi i nie zajdziesz takich na całym świecie. W ogóle w Brazylii żyje się inaczej, niż w innych krajach. Inna jest obyczajowość, morale, tempo życia. Tam istnieje tylko samba, karnawał i miłość. Wszyscy zdradzają się ze wszystkimi i nikt się tym specjalnie nie przejmuje. W sprawach seksu nie ma przyjaciół. Dlatego trzeba zawsze uważać. Serdeczny kolega tylko czeka, aby przelecieć ci żonę... Wynurzenia George’a wprowadziły mnie w filozoficzną zadumę. Gapiłem się na kolorową zatokę, wypełnioną kolorowymi jachtami i zastawiałem się ku czemu zmierza świat. Kilkanaście lat temu chyba nie byłaby możliwa tak szczera spowiedź wobec obcych ludzi. Było mi dobrze, bo przyjemnie tam się siedziało. No, ale piękne trwa krótko. Nasze auto musiało wrócić na szlak w ponurych górach. Potem jechaliśmy dłuższy czas pustynną górską równiną, która wszakże w pewnej chwili odsłoniła dziwacznie poukładane kamienie. - To są słynne linie Nasca - objaśnił kierowca. – Najlepiej widać je z góry... Podjechaliśmy więc pod płatną wieżę widokową dla turystów, po czym musieliśmy się na nią wdrapać. Ale nie było to przesadnie trudne. Na górze roztoczył się przed nami niepowtarzalny widok, który dosłownie zaparł nam dechy w płucach. Linie Nascsa ukazały się bowiem w całej swej krasie. Czytałem o nich sporo, oglądając wiele razy na rozmaitych zdjęciach lub w filmach. Ale natura to zupełnie co innego! Przypomniałem sobie teraz, że niegdyś przypuszczano, że owe linie to drogi Inków. Jednak profesor Maria Reiche, bodaj w 1934 roku, odkryła je na nowo dla świata i udowodniła, że te potężne rysunki na piasku, zostały zrobione z wielką znajomością matematyki i perfekcją. Przedstawiają ludzi, zwierzęta, drzewa, figury geometryczne, a nawet astronautę, a najlepiej są widoczne z lotu ptaka. Wysnuto zatem wniosek, że wykonali je Kosmici. I w tej właśnie chwili poczułem się obywatelem Kosmosu. Narobiłem zdjęć i nakręciłem film, kupiłem też informator oraz plakat z rysunkami. Schodząc z wieży, pozdrowiłem starszą parę z Francji i uścisnąłem kilku Peruwiańczyków, a ściślej - Peruwianek. Potem ruszyliśmy w dalszą drogę, która była podobna do tej, jaką dotychczas jechaliśmy. Ot, szare góry, niekiedy farma z kurczakami, jak również nędzne domki biedoty. Dziwiłem się tej biedzie. Przecież te góry kryją niezmierzone bogactwa! Mnóstwo tu różnych rud, kopalin i tym podobnych specjałów, jakie niejedno inne państwo uczyniły zasobnym. Dlaczego więc tu tyle biedoty? Połowa tego blisko trzydziestomilionowego narodu mieszka w stolicy. Reszta tuła się gdzieś po tych górach, w poszukiwaniu swego miejsca w życiu. I – chleba. Po dziesięciu godzinach takiej jazdy dotarliśmy wreszcie do miasteczka San Juan. Tu czekało nas załatwianie pozwolenia na wjazd do portu San Nicolas, gdzie ładował nasz. Sunrise. Na szczęście znalazł się Agent, który nas w tym wyręczył i wszystko załatwił sam. Potem już wjechaliśmy na długi pirs, zresztą pilnie strzeżony, bez przepustki nie przecisnęła by się nawet mysz. Statek zajmował cały pirs, a właściwie cały port. Wokół niego rozlewała się nieciekawa zatoczka, a za nią martwe księżycowe góry. Przygnębiający widok. Kiedy wysiedliśmy z auta i stanęliśmy na kei, Chińczycy zbiegli po trapie i chwycili nasze ciężkie bagaże. Po chwili byliśmy już w kabinach. Byłem nieludzko zmęczony, marzyłem o kąpieli i chwili odpoczynku. Niestety, nic się nie dało zrobić w tej sprawie, ponieważ musiałem odebrać statek. Kiedy potem łaziłem po pokładzie i zaglądałem w różne zakamarki, z melancholią stwierdziłem, że moja prawie dziewica zwana Wschodem słońca to stary rupieć, w rzetelniej mówiąc - stara rura, gdyż w szczególności rury miała przeżarte rdzą. Na pokładzie znalazłem nawet takie, którym jakiś mózgowiec owinął ręcznikiem dziury! Zgnębiony, zapukałem w końcu do dowódcy tego pływającego cuda. Zaatakowałem go niemal od progu. - Panie Kapitanie, kiedy ostatni raz szalupy były na wodzie? - Wie pan, że nie wiem? – odparł. - Za moich czasów, to znaczy około ośmiu miesięcy, opuszczaliśmy je tylko do pokładu. A poprzednik? Doprawdy nie wiem...Więc chyba rok na wodzie nie były. - Jak pan mógł do tego dopuścić! - warknąłem, bo szlag mnie trafił. - Przecież powinny być co trzy miesiące! Mój poprzedni statek Regina aresztowano w Rotterdamie właśnie za szalupy. Nie chciały wyczepiać się na wodzie. Po prostu, haki zardzewiały. Kiedy tam zamustrowałem, tydzień siedziałem osobiście w szalupie, żeby je doprowadzić do stanu używalności. No, ale tam byli sami Chińczycy... - No, jakoś nie było czasu... – tłumaczył kapitan. - Czasu nie było!? Przecież szalupy to wasze bezpieczeństwo! Wie pan co? Teraz będzie miał pan czas. Bo ja przed przejęciem statku chcę zobaczyć szalupy na wodzie! - No dobrze, spuścimy prawą... Nie był zadowolony z rozmowy ze mną. Ale ogłoszono alarm szalupowy. - Panie Chiefie – powiedziałem do pokładowego. - Niech pan wsadzi do szalupy dwóch doświadczonych marynarzy. No i spytaj ich pan, czy wiedzą, w jaki sposób wyhaczyć szalupę.... -O.K. Pojedzie na dół Bosman i Trzeci Oficer, zawsze się chwalą, że wszystko wiedzą. Szalupa poszła na wodę i szybko okazało się, że najlepsi z chińskich marynarzy nie wiedzą, jak ją wyhaczyć. Bezmyślnie walili w haki młotkami, nie mając pojęcia o centralnym wczepianiu haków. Musiałem im wszystko wytłumaczyć z pokładu przez ukaefkę. Dopiero wówczas zrozumieli. - No, ładnie wytrenowaliście załogę! – wybuchnąłem. - Gdyby to widzieli inspektorzy Port State Control, to nie wypuścili by statku w morze! Wciągnęliśmy szalupę na burtę i zamocowaliśmy. Wtedy wlazłem do niej, żeby przyjrzeć się z bliska. Aż jęknąłem, ponieważ rury centralnego wyhaczania były kompletnie przeżarte rdzą. Boże, pomyślałem, szczęście, że nie urwała się podczas spuszczania na wodę. Byłbym winny śmierci dwóch ludzi. - Do cholery, Chifie! Dlaczego nie powiedział mi pan, że te rury tak wyglądają! - Bo o tym nie wiedziałem – odpowiedział spokojnie. - Proszę natychmiast kazać Fitterom wymienić te rury! Toż to nasze bezpieczeństwo! Piekliłem się i wydawałem polecenia, chociaż nie miałem jeszcze do tego uprawnień; formalnie nie przejąłem Sunrise. Ale nikt nie protestował. Najwyraźniej czuli się winni. Więc Chief szybko nakazał rury wymienić, ale nie wyjaśnił, w jaki sposób to zrobić. W dodatku, nikt tych prac nie dozorował. Siedziałem właśnie w swojej kabinie, kiedy wpadł z krzykiem Elektryk. - Master, szybko, jest wypadek! Ruszyłem biegiem. Na pokładzie szalupowym wisiała na haku dziobowym szalupa, oparta rufą o pokład. A na pokładzie leżało dwóch jęczących Fitterów. - Szybko nosze! –wrzasnąłem. – Chief! Niech Kapitan dzwoni do Agenta, aby sprowadził pogotowie! Wyglądało, że Fitter maszynowy cierpi bardziej, więc położyliśmy go na noszach i zanieśliśmy w pobliże trapu, aby tam czekał na pogotowie. Miał stłuczony prawy bok, może coś sobie złamał? Fitter pokładowy, choć pojękiwał, do trapu poszedł o własnych siłach. - Jak to się stało? – zapytałem. - Spadła, nie wiemy dlaczego...- odparł. Ambulans zajechał stosunkowo szybko. Udało nam się pospołu znieść nosze po trapie, w czym czynnie uczestniczyłem. Zaś po południu przyjechał Agent i zameldował, że fitterzy mają się już lepiej. Prześwietlono ich, złamań brak. Tyle, że są potłuczeni. Polazłem zatem do szalupy, aby zbadać co się właściwie stało. Kiedy ujrzałem, po prostu, oniemiałem. Fitterzy bez zabezpieczenia szalupy, odcięli rurę centralnego wyczepiania , przez co jej rufa się wyhaczyła i spadła na pokład! To tak, jakby obcięli gałąź, na której siedzieli. Fitter maszynowy wrócił następnego ranka i przyniósł od lekarza formalne miesięczne zwolnienie z pracy. Przed wyjściem statku w morze przesłuchali nas jeszcze inspektorzy Kapitanatu, ale z nimi sprawę załatwiłem po grecku, to znaczy podałem z gruntu inną wersję wypadku. Powiedziałem, że nie było żadnych alarmów, natomiast zarządziliśmy inspekcje szalup i fitter przypadkowo wczepił szalupę. Na szczęście rury w szalupie były już wymienione, ster wyprostowany i nie mieli do czego się przyczepić. Po kilku dniach Fitterzy sami przyszli z prośbą, że chcą pracować, bo inaczej nie będą mieli nadgodzin. W ten sposób sprawa jakby ostatecznie przyschła. A potem już ruszyliśmy na ocean, zwany przez pół świata Spokojnym.. Okazało się jednak, że taki spokojny to on nie jest. Zamiast planowanego miesiąca, płynęliśmy prawie czterdzieści dni, a wstrzymywały nas prawie dziesięciometrowe fale. W ten prosty sposób święta Bożego Narodzenia i Nowy Rok spędziliśmy na wodzie, przez co dostałem kolejną szansę wytłumaczenia chińskiej załodze, że nasze katolickie, polskie tradycje i święta stoją jednak wyżej, niż ichnie. Podzieliliśmy się opłatkiem, pośpiewaliśmy kolędy, a potem – zamiast kolęd - Chińczycy dali popis pieśni rewolucyjnych. Potraw było wiele, gdyż chiński kucharz błysnął wyjątkowymi talentami. Wybijały się w zestawie trzy wielkie arbuzy z owocowym koktajlem, na których wyrzeźbił sceny z chińskich waz. Wyglądały więc, jakby powstały za czasów dynastii Ming. W uzupełnieniu posiłku kucharz zaprezentował swój chiński poemat, który potem poleciłem umieścić na szocie. To nie żart, naprawdę byłem pod wrażeniem. 中波共渡一条 Nasza Chińsko – Polska załoga pracuje wspólnie na statku, 和睦相处把财求, pływając po Oceanach, aby zarobić na życie .Jak towarzysze 生死与共同患难，przeznaczenia, pracujemy ramię w ramię na dobre i złe. 假期已满难舍留 Wspominamy dni szczęśliwej harmonii, nie pamiętając złych chwil 回首往事多得处，Ciężko będzie nam spotkać się, bo żyjemy w innych krajach, 望兄不能记旧仇，nie wiem…może kiedyś znowu popłyniemy na innym statku. 八方下榻难相聚， 不知何时再同舟。 刘百禹 24 `12 `05 Atmosfera była przyjacielska i na drugi dzień jakoś załoga była sobie bliższa. Elektryk Andrzej przegrał film z mojej kamery na „CD” i cała załoga oglądała go z przejęciem. -Master! Wiesz oni pierwszy raz coś takiego przeżyli, straszną frajdę im zrobiłeś- cieszył się Elektryk.

除锈船长 CAPTAIN RUST

除锈船长 CAPTAIN RUST 在我到达我的四道杠之前 ， 我遇见过不同的船长。 英国人在中午时呼喊: 大副! 他妈的! 谁在敲锈？怎么这麽吵? 难道他们不知道我在睡觉? 对不起船长，但是我们应该保养生活区甲板啊。 让他们到船头去敲给他们自己听。 但是那儿已经已经敲完了并且已经油漆过了啊。 去他妈的! 再让他们敲一遍! 形成鲜明对比的是一个德国船长 (六十岁)， 上船时对船员自我介绍说: 每个人都叫我 “除锈船长”...， 之后宣布: 大副， 我决定敲这艘船。 对于这艘22年船龄的船， 船况还是相当的好 ， 菲律宾人为了多赚一些加班费甚至一直除锈到晚上。 结果，第二天船长开始了他的除锈工作，早晨时，我看见 “老头” 用除锈机在敲舱口围栏板上的锈，用除锈机除锈很累而且很吵，在敲了几小时之后，你会感觉双臂开始像喝醉的人一样双手发抖，可是另人难以置信， 船长敲了一整天， 我想，他只是表演一下而已， 但是后来二天他也一样这样干的。 我想我不能比他差，不能让他给比过去， 因此我叫水手长让他给我也准备一台除锈机，然后我在舱口围栏板的另一边上开始除锈。 “老头” 要敲8个小时，他还要值4个小时的航行班， 为了不输给他，我 就干6个小时，但是我还有10个小时的航行班， 公平吗，？不公平。 这个竞争往後一直持续了几个月。 在海上，我每天工作不是10个小时， 而是 每天16个小时，工资当然是一样。 随着除锈机的颤抖，我的手在发抖，我的身体也在发抖，但是我不能比他差.... “老头”每天都会 测量我们已经敲了多少，然后计算一下每小时敲了多少而且断言: 大副，你今天多敲了10厘米... 但是我敲的比你还多。 当然我的想法和他不同。 每个星期我们都有通常的除锈计划， 但是在不久之后船长就把其他船员赶去干其他的工作。 然后我跑到他房间去问: 船长!!! 这条船上谁是大副 ， 是你还是我? 大副， 当然你是大副。 那么你为什么把我的船员转移到其他的工作? 只是，因为我想我们也可以让他们干点别的工作。 请告诉我， 你究竟想要干什么? 然后我们建立了新的工作计划，但是几天后整个历史又重演了。 有一天他打电话给我，叫我到他的房间，让我看他桌子上的一块有三公分厚的一块大锈皮： 看，大副，我有发现这艘船上竟有地方锈的这么严重 ，应该让船东也知道。 我惊讶之极，我从来没看到过有任何地方锈的如此严重，我好象被雷击了一样，立即叫来水手长问他这个老头是从哪里发现这么大的锈皮的？ 他搞穿了墙壁，搞的乱七八糟之后在墙壁后面拿出 这快22年的锈皮的。 我被激怒了，这还不够， 那位船长不仅捣毁了整个墙壁，把它搞的乱七八糟，而且他还想要维护船东， 说我们没有好好保养。 我观察着，当他从他的房间出去时 ，我把那块大锈皮拿走丢到了海里。然后在几分钟之後船长叫起来： 大副，我的那块锈到哪里去了? 我跑到他的房间，他叫的更凶了。 然后他突然停止了喊叫， 用拳头猛敲桌子发疯似的看这我等着我的解释。 什么锈? - 我问。 就在这儿， 刚才放在这个桌子上的那块锈!!! 我没看见过有什么锈。 我平静地回答，然后我离开他的房间。 船长的除锈工作完成了.... 几个月之後，船东把船卖给了拆船厂... 格雷兹勒 船长

JUDY

茱蒂 JUDY 美国飞机在我们船头方向扔下许多烟雾信号，有一条即将沉没的帆船，它在给我们导向。 我们的“CARE”轮沿着烟雾信号方向全速行驶着，船员们已经做好了准备营救的各种准备，后来终于看到一条很小的帆船，桅杆已经断了，海水正迅速灌进船舱，当我们看到只有一个女人在帆船上时，可以想象我们当时多么惊讶。 我们三万八千吨的巨轮把帆船让到下风，我的菲律宾船员，准确无误的执行着我的命令，把这个女人救到船上，茱蒂蹒跚着，有气无力的小声说着： - “请救救我的船吧…“ - “我们会尽力的，放心吧“ 我说着，让服务生把她领到房间里。 尽管天气不好，但我们还是成功了…我们用吊把帆船吊到我们船上并且帮扎好。第二天，茱蒂已经完全恢复了，告诉我们她是单人驾驶着“奥斯卡 1980“号从伦敦驶往美国的, 刚离开诺福克两天就遇到了风暴，把桅杆折断了，并且开始进水。 轮船以十六节的速度驶向直布罗陀，过了几天我们发现，甲板上的帆船通过卫星还在发射信号，美国人并不知道发生了灾难，看着电视上帆船的轨迹，惊讶着为什么茱蒂的帆船驶向了直布罗陀? 茱蒂很喜欢航海，她已经通过了“发现者“报纸的面试，已经成为一个记者，她拍了和船上所有人的录影带，八天后我们到达了直布罗陀，报纸，电台的人都来了，我向他们一一做了介绍，是我们波兰人救了美国女孩，我们放下了经过船员们部分修理的帆船，亲切的向茱蒂道了别。 接着我们航行到康斯坦萨，知道我们有多么惊讶，在码头上我们又一次看到了茱蒂。 - “我很想念你们，所以我也飞来这里“ – 她说。 我们在当地的餐馆里为她安排了一个欢迎宴会，可是好事不成双，从大厅出来的时候，茱蒂意识到自己的装有钱和文件的皮包被偷了，我们同时用四种语言- 智利电机师用西班牙语，茱蒂用英语，我用俄语 （ 这里人大都懂得俄语 ），菲律宾人用自己的方言来求救。事情很明显，这里的老板对这种事情并不在意，居然有中间人出来要二百美元来换回护照，我们通知了代理，并带来了警察，抓了一个当地人，并把我们全部带走，不管我们用四国语言来解释当时发生了什么并且很害怕，作为记者，茱蒂向他们介绍了整个事件经过，但结果仍是一样，什么也没发现，第二天茱蒂很顺利地从美国大使馆领到了另一本护照和钱,然后飞回了美国。 后来她写信给我，总是夹杂着一些从书里摘抄的美妙的注释，JOSEPH CONRAD的，一个她最崇拜的伟大的航海作家。她说她现在有很多波兰籍朋友，她在美国旅行时总是向人们述说自己海上遇险经历给他们看当时拍的录影带。 几个月后我到了休斯顿，我发现人们从茱蒂的电视节目里已经认识了我。 后来她写道：“我在写书，关于我的那次经历，还有你，今年夏天我还会一个人驾着小帆船横越大西洋，请在周围陪着我，不要太远”。 格雷兹勒 船长

船长之死 Death of Captain

船长之死 Death of Captain 在非洲港口抛一个月的锚，时间简直长的可怕。 岸上很远的地方在打仗，我们可以听到来自岸上的枪声。 我们没有什么值钱的货物，也正因为如此，海盗到现在一直没有光顾我们，但是海盗即将到来的气息却非常重， 没有人知道我们还会继续等多久。 船员们整夜晚呆在闷热的房间里却无法睡觉， 他们在等待着海盗的袭击。 有一天船长到驾驶台， 手里拿着一条绳子，非常肯定的说: - 我要上吊自杀。 - 是的，先生。 菲律宾二副微笑回答。 但是在几小时之后事情真的发生了， 船长并没有开玩笑，他在他自己的房间里上吊自杀了。 最先发现他的菲律宾大台 ，发疯似的在船周围奔跑而且呼喊: - 船长上吊自杀了!!! 船长上吊自杀了!!! 当我们把船长放下来的时候，发现已经太晚了，船长已经死了。 - 上帝， 天啊， - 菲律宾大台一边哭一边呻吟着 - 我们该怎么办? 作为大副的我开始接管船舶，我开始通知所有有关方， 告诉他们这里发生的事情， 船长的家在德国，家属要求遗体运回德国 ，船东和我试着通过当地代理来安排， 但过了几天仍不见动静，在催促了 5 天之后，代理肯定回答， 他无法安排把遗体运回德国。 -这里在打仗， 街道上有很多尸体， 我不能够特殊， 金属棺材 - 哀悼的代理。 船长躺在他闷热的房间里，因为我们不能把他和其他肉类一起放进伙食冰库。我们有一台小的电冰箱，但是不能把船长整个装进去。 有一天菲律宾厨子对我提议要把船长切成小块，然后或许可以把他装到这台电冰箱里。 但被我断然否决了，船长的遗体应该保持完整。 身体腐败的味道在船的周围散布。 最后， 汉堡方面发了一个推荐方法: 安排海葬。 我没有任何关于海葬仪式的经验 因此我叫来菲律宾铜匠，命令他造一个棺材。 - 但是船长， 我们没有任何材料来造棺材! – 铜匠叫起来 - 也许我们有防水帆布? –我问。 - 也没有! 船长 - 从多余房间的墙壁上拆掉几块板钉到一起，能把腿脚装进去就行了。 - 好的， 先生 – 铜匠面无表情的回答 在二天棺材准备好之后， 我绞起锚，把船开到 “外海”。 在紧急研究了圣经之后，我选择了一段， 我觉得用在这个场合比较适当。 加装了很重的卸扣和盖着德国国旗的棺材已经放在左舷主甲板上， 所有船员都等候在船边。 我开始了典礼，为我们的船长做祈祷。 我读了圣经的圣诗， 之后: - 抛掉棺材!!! - 我命令 ( 相同的方法如抛锚)。 棺材入水时被撞碎成小块，片刻后，船长从水面浮了出来。 - 上帝，天啊!!! – 大台歇斯底里的叫着，大家都惊呆了。 - 警报! 救生演习! 我们来救船长! - 我大叫。 菲律宾人非常快地进入救生艇并把艇放到了水面。 他们抓到了船长， 用艇钩钩住把他拉进救生艇内，我们收起救生艇， 船长又和我们在一起了。 - 现在该怎么办? - 水手长问。 - 把他放在甲板上， 先把他晒干- 我不置可否。 我们返回了锚地 在热带的太阳照射下，船长在甲板上很快被晒干了。 由于他的身体被白布裹着， 所以并没有什么大的损坏。 菲律宾人只在船的另一舷， 害怕他会醒过来。 。 - 接下来的一整天正当我努力思考着该如何造棺材时 ， 铜匠来敲我的门： - 船长， 我有一个好的主意该如何装船长 - 他叫道。 - 去他妈的!!! 你已经做了一个棺材。 我告诉你要把重的卸扣绑在船长腿上- 我生气的喊道。 - 先生，我放了卸扣， 但是很不幸地我没有把它们绑到船长的腿上… - 但是船长，这次我有一非常好的主意… - 好。 讲出来!!! - 船长，在二舱货物中有钢管，我去割一段，然后我们把 "老头"装到这个管子里。 - 注意到是不错 ，我想… - 好，我同意–，但是在你割了之后，两端必须焊好。。 - 当然船长，我会在管中割一些洞，让它会沉下去。 - 好， 去叫人就这样做。 和第一次一样，我们重复了典礼: - 抛管子!!! –我命令。 但是管子却不下沉… 我们大约拖着管子航行了二个小时…, 受了惊吓的菲律宾人说， 如果船长沉不下去，他将游回汉堡 –。 最后，水通过小孔灌进管子，船长沉入了大西洋， 远离自己的国家–接近很不友善的非洲土地。 在海上什么事都会发生…, 这就是水手的生活。 格雷兹勒 船长 Translated by : XU WAN ZHONG -Chief Officer

AMERICA

美国 AMERICA 我们象古老时代 的海盗 一样 在晚上驶进了 佛罗里达洲的 Tampa ,但是我们 M/V"大剪刀鹰" 到达这里既不是来抢夺也不是来杀人,只不过是从欧洲运来了钢板 今天是星期六-----二月一号, 刚好是伟大的海盗假日- "GASPARILLA"的开始. ‘’大家听着! 长年 如老海盗 般漂泊在大海上,我们必须尽情欢度这假日!!!’’- 我对我的船员讲了这些话. 我们放下了我们的快艇，然后我们与这个被海盗征服的城市融为一体 !!! 在 我们附近有数以百计汽船，豪华的马达游艇，远足的船 ( 后面有车轮式的螺旋浆和边上也有车轮式的螺旋浆) ，快艇，水摩托车和不同的漂浮交通工具. 数以百计这些水交通工具具悬挂着海盗旗帜，围绕着一艘大的海盗船 ...." Jose Gasparilla". 检阅 在进行!!! 枪炮击声在耳朵中轰响. 先是来自海盗船这边的发射, 然后是包围着她的船的响应发射 ,来自装置在甲板上小枪的射击 - 意味着它的持续!!! 在海盗甲板，天线柱和生活区上,在炮弹齐射产生的烟雾中, 原先穿着了海盗装的人在奔跑. 在天线柱之间 显然地悬挂着海盗–这一个受害人，是Gasparilla的船长. 在围绕她的船上,也拥挤着假装的海盗船- 一起驶进了海湾, 而且靠岸登陆, 本地人的抵抗正在被打破中... 在堡垒被攻占之后!!! 海盗不可避免到达 城市- "市中心"-在这里是最后的攻击，整个城市投降了!!! 在代表性的停泊处停泊着海盗船 "Jose Gasparilla". 现在海盗在城镇中着手开始进行- 几乎持续一月的海盗嘉年华会, 从 1904 年起都有规则地举办了93 次 - 这是其中的一次. 在我们附近在数百只水上交通工具上赤裸的少女跳舞,一些特别地展现拥有身体--- 尤其吉祥物-呈现到我的照相机前., 对我们丢珊瑚珠子而且送吻... 刚好大汽船在面前通过, 甲板上站着～穿着盗装富有的人在散播 " 黄金硬币 "和五彩缤纷的珊瑚珠子 (" 玻璃珠子"). 我们的快艇很快要靠停泊处,尖叫的少女给我们送来了飞吻,不过警长不悦,他通过他的巡逻船上的喇叭命令我们降低速度. 现在海盗在城市街道之上持续街道典礼. 在月台之上开始海盗船游行庆祝会. 海盗再一次丢 "黄金硬币" 和珊瑚珠子... 塑料珊瑚珠子 (无价值的), 但是人们向他们尖叫着;少女展现她们的半身像, 而且开始用膝跪下请求... 人们在呼喊: "美丽的王子! 国王的儿子! 丢给我珍珠和黄金"!!! 在傍晚天空中闪现着美丽的烟花,海盗在街道翩翩起舞... 在市中心中, 音乐演奏分六个片段论替交换,一直到凌晨才停止. 也有持续的文化节日，体育运动的比赛，街道上人来人往 , 非常热闹, 欣赏许多不同的娱乐活动,有许多孩子游戏, 而且有特别为孩子准备的海盗庆祝典礼. 这一切, 都是为了欢度这一盛大的节日 !!! 传说 Jose Gasparill(有关 Jose Gaspar的争论众所周知 ),在 1756 年内在巴赛隆纳出生. 他是西班牙国王的官员.在舰队中他连同船员一起叛乱,抢劫国王的宝物而且用 国王的船逃脱.接下来 30 年他掠夺了船和佛罗里达的海岸西部 . 他的基地是离贸易地点 Myers 不很远的小岛 "Gasparilla 岛"(Boca Grande). 传说在一次抢劫期间,海盗捕获了西班牙的王子和英国的美人, 不久和一名海盗Batista相爱. 船长允许了他们逃离海盗船，而且后来 Batista和英国的美人在她的国家结了婚. 在 1821 年十二月 21 日是 Gasparill 的好运气的终结. 它攻击了帆船,以为这是一艘贸易船,但是它是海军船 S.S."企业". S.S. 企业 做好了准备, 大约海盗船接近500 码时,点燃了所有的大炮,海盗船被炸毁. 在沉没海盗船的船头船长 Gasparill攀登上了锚链, 然后他呼喊着跳进大海: "Gasparill 死不投降 " !!! 他的 21个同伙被救起,后来在新奥尔良被吊死. Juan(船的男孩) 是唯一的不被吊死的, 因为他太年轻. 之后他在佛罗里达的海岸南部做一个渔夫而且名叫约翰. 他知道了一处(离河 Alafia 的河口不很远) 哪里有被埋葬的海盗宝物 (黄金和 珠宝-价值百万元). 他为二个朋友展现这个地方而且开始了成为佛罗里达上二个百万富翁的财富.的历程 二月中的第三个傍晚, 我们航行到下一个卸货港口--亚拉巴马州- -船长! 你真正地到达嘉年华会街道游行地点 – 引水员说 -今天我们开始二个星期假日,"Mardi Gras"-或‘ '脂肪星期二''(复活节前的第七个星期三而且快速地，把全部东西吃光). -波兰我们有"脂肪星期四"-我以此为荣，但是我知道,我们不 以这个理由进行过 游行. 在靠泊之后,代理人安排免费接送从船员工作处到 "市中心" - 嘉年华会的中心. 学校管弦乐队在游行中进入现场，而且穿着可笑的各种朋友随着嘉年华会音乐的旋律跳舞进入场内. 正在穿过五彩缤纷的月台, 在我们之前经过,展现了非常奇妙的世界, 在他们的其中之一甚至停留在Eiffel 塔案上 - 曾经规定了, 这里只站着法国人. 从这些交通工具, 美丽的盛妆打扮 "公主" 丢珊瑚珠子. 我得到一些珊瑚珠子(甚至从微笑的警察哪). 穿着珊瑚珠子我们感觉进入嘉年华会的狂欢里面, 我们在随着旋律跳舞.通常我有我的旧录像机, 而且我正在做我的电影，. 在我的照相机之前美丽的少女正吻着愉快的水手. 大家跳舞歌唱，少女尖叫, 珊瑚珠子和不同的礼物飞在空中. 每个人都为珊瑚珠子飞入内衣呈现对抗. 警察骑着马微笑观看,. 游行最後二个小时而且在魔杖的碰撞消失之後. 突然紧跟,之后, 出现垃圾卡车，街道浇水卡车和处理垃圾的男人, 由于背上的吸尘器 (起来像火星人). 在片刻街道被清理得干干净净! 稍后有假装成异性的 给我们送吻，但是有其他二个人在街道打架并用枪对射. 他们的其中之一跌倒也躺在血泊中 -街道 重归于平静和日常生活中. 我们很快地躲到酒吧 饮啤酒 酒保不卖给"年轻的" (我们最年轻的水手)，通过确认卡片使他确信, ‘ '年轻的' 已有 21 岁，允许饮啤酒... 这是美国... 在晚上我们到达新奥尔良- 正直"Mardi Gras" 的开始, 这里是出名的最富有和欢乐. 在新奥尔良我们在市中心中停泊处,卸货产品是钢铁. 在经过我们的停泊处的附近， 有一个 "Mardi Gras" 游行,我们很少机会看见嘉年华会. 通常我们的船在远离城镇的中心处, 或在河上停泊. 每天傍晚 (在八天期间)我们都到城市观看 'Mardi Gras''游行. 超过 20个彩色月台叁加， 在游行中他们的每一个,都 被拖拉机牵引. 在这四个小时的游玩和舞蹈期间 ，经过街道时. 假装成公主的少女 从月台丢珊瑚珠子... 人们聚集在一起肩并着肩请求给珊瑚珠子,展现半身像的少女得到较多的珊瑚. 在一个月台上，我们感觉注意到一侧广告: "波兰的猪肉" 在游行人员中管弦乐队和舞女,主要是从中学和大学生 -班级来的，那里也有在场军队学校和海军.人员正在点烟火，也有穷人为收集他们丢的硬币步行跟着. 三个最大的和最富有的游行当然是在 "Mardi Gras'' 中 - 脂肪星期二，超过百万人叁与这假日. 在私人的汽车 (精选-提高) 的行列旅行街道典礼之後，是 家庭五彩缤纷的盛妆打扮. 游行，在 "法国人四分之一" 的法国区域中结束. 从街道阳台上的少女和男孩丢珊瑚珠子，到少女在阳台上, 展现半身像, 也不意味着少女比较坏以及展现展现半身像 ,是 为了人们的高兴尖叫而且奖赏给他们- 珊瑚珠子. 游戏持续至早晨,在周围的酒吧开放,表演 (脱衣舞),各处回响着音乐. 这里是Luis Armstrong自己事业的开始. 它是奇妙的, 但是也危险的 –只要不步出外面 "法国人四等分"的区域被强烈地保护着. 每年这里大约有 450个谋杀!!! 我得到一公斤的珊瑚珠子 (不展现我的半身像)-我的孙女将会有一些穿着!!! 我们到德克萨斯 (美国州名) 中的休斯顿,我们将在哪里卸最后部份--钢和装载纸浆, 目的地是Rouen. 好的运气总是离不开我们， 我们又偶然遇到 "牛仔竟技表演 游行".... 在 "市中心"街道上,牛仔的游行在林立的 "摩天楼" 之间. 许多牛仔骑马而且坐在马车上到达到休斯顿游行并且参加牛仔竟技表演 !!! 一些300人的团体，骑马 和驾驶 20个牛马车，走了 600 公里花18 天才到达!!! 尽管街道上有许多骑牛仔和流动的牛仔马车， 并且富有的装饰月台上有美丽的少女，但是在这里没有人丢珊瑚珠子. 中学管弦乐队正在演奏, 少女们正在跳舞，但是这里主要吸引的当然是牛仔. 这里他们在表演RODEO 中对抗,骑马,套索上公牛而且系住那在发狂的公牛和野性的野马. 这里下三个星期六在 RODEO 之上，他们将会在RODEO 上疯狂地驾驶着疾驰的牛仔马车. 今晚牛仔将会见面 "在 300 帐篷之下(在每一个大约 100个人之下)’’ 进行烧烤, 当然主要地烧大的 T- 骨头牛排. 他们将会喝很多而且跳牛仔舞. 我们也被邀请,在代理人的帐篷之下.我们免费吃, 喝而且我们是多麽愉快--如老牛仔般!!! 在帐篷之间我们正在和牛仔跳舞 , 每个人 都相当 友好的 , 少女靠在我们身边接吻，我们是多麽像西方的老牛仔，,当然对着我的录像机，少女也尖叫着. 在数千之中，我看见了只有很少的黑牛仔... "牛仔的人生美丽"..., 但是水手的人生更美丽!!! 在休斯顿中有较多的惊奇等候着我们. 一天墨西哥的男孩进入餐厅, 留下广告传单而且邀请我们到教堂,表示免费送到交易中心. 因为距离城市是非常远, 出租汽车费用贵 , 所以船员很高兴. 在晚餐之後，来了一辆小的公共汽车, 哪里已经坐着一些阿拉伯人. 驾驶员说,片刻我们将会到教堂下车, 然后他再驾驶我们到购物中心. 我们同意, 不 知道什麽正在等待我们,无论如何-我们想- 在星期日稍微祈祷将会是好的. 但是它是不同的教堂, 叫做 "海湾草地教堂"- 一个发狂的美国教堂中的一个, 电视正在广播. 在入口"牧师" 和礼拜者亲切地向我们致敬. 在教堂内部与其他 教堂是一样- 在后神坛是大白色的十字架. 我们被邀请坐在长椅子, 和在片刻中到达的,来自拉脱维亚和哥伦比亚的其他水手, 被不同的拉客者(饭店) 带来 (引导者). 一块开始了 " 表演". 在神坛附近有演奏管弦乐队而且有混合的合唱队,所有的礼拜者在音乐旋律引导下跳舞鼓掌,. 宗教性的歌曲在教堂墙壁上被显示. 每几分钟一个礼拜者从神坛之前跳舞独奏. 出来.. 圣经被分配给大家，波兰人用波兰语的小册子,被用西班牙语的是哥伦比亚人，俄国语的俄国人 , 和阿拉伯人用阿拉伯的. 俄国人附加的有了耳机 - 因为翻译. 最感到惊讶的是阿拉伯人 (安拉的告解神父),他们发呆的站着，不理解他们为什麽被带来在这里.?... 因为每个人都看着我们 , 所以逃离教堂是不可能的, 无论如何教堂远离城镇， 该如何回去 ? 最后"牧师"开始祈祷- 他正在唱并且慢慢地进入梦幻之境. 在我们周围每个人都用 双臂直升到天空站立,他们中的一些人在梦幻之境中哭泣, 其他人在发抖... "牧师"对水手也祈祷, 陈述我们的信心和国籍它是不重要的, 教堂是国际的 - 无论如何我们也许将会在天堂遇见... 他欢迎了我们,告诉我们今天在教堂中有什麽类型的客人,我们必须站着，～致的向上鼓掌和所有的礼拜者靠近用 手摇动, 站立致敬... 在教堂中跳舞是愚蠢的, .我们不 知道该做什么. 最后我们站着而且同礼拜者一起摇动,无论如何我自我解释, 感到重要的是哪一教堂男人正在祈祷-... 他们正在对相同的上帝祈祷,只有小小不同... 突然 "牧师" 说. -今天我有了感应, 来自今天的九个礼拜者将会经历一个奇迹. 然后他邀请那些需要帮忙的到神坛. 在神坛之前碰到许多哭泣和在梦幻之境中发抖的礼拜者. "牧师"唱和祈祷摸了他们的头,和他们的头低在地板之上... 为他们的幸运，在第二排中的其他人,在他们后面的礼拜者看了, 他们正在捕捉地板上的谁和一种似雪鱼的食用鱼. 这看法令人确实地不能相信,没有人可以推想老祖母如此拥有好好的游戏角色. 无论如何他们不是全部都在触摸之後以及不是全部头低在地板上似一种发抖的雪鱼-食用鱼. 我们的引导者解释, 我们只有深深地相信的人才跌倒和发抖. 在 "牧师" 自己也进去 "神坛之後"他感觉在一种似雪鱼的食用鱼的梦幻之境上,当然在适当的片刻中被忠实的捕捉. 而且在几分钟之後，在他们全部身上他们是否发生任何人经过了奇迹? 礼拜者被送回,坐在长椅子中哭泣. "牧师" 再一次开始唱和他的合唱队 (Alleluia)正在为–邀请我们,想要把我们头低在地板上? 此时我们的引导者和礼拜者试着在"神坛"之前推动我们. 但严重地失望了,因为来自国际的水手团体没有人从位子上移动- 完全地拒绝... 开始了神圣的心灵交通 - 酒和玻璃上盘子的"晶圆"(蛋糕的碎片)被分配. 每个人都连同 "牧师" 一起恳谈，吃 "晶圆" 和喝酒. 现在跳舞和歌开始进入高潮, 随着曲子的旋律和好笑,礼拜者的面貌容光焕发，欢喜万分. 每个人都完全地愉快的手拉手摇动和亲吻. 确实使这个民族快乐阿!!! 最后结束，坐位之间排放着圆篮子, 我们也放了一些美元. "牧师"再一次说什么国际的，今天在教堂中有国际的客人参加,他祈祷,教堂是为每个人敞开的，而且礼拜者为我们热列的喝采和再一次的烹调. 在入口，免费提供不同的说明书和宗教性的录像带 所有的活动持续不几分钟 ( 开始我们的引导者说), 但花了二个小时. 在无论如何，结束之后驾驶我们在大商店疯狂购物之後,把我们带回船上. 隔天你可以在船上听到"Alleluia"!!! 我们再一次启航,载着Pascagoula(密西西比)的 木材 和 Wilmington N.C. 的纸浆， 到达欧洲- 到家!!! 各处都很好,但是在家最好!!! 船长 W. Grycner

MAYDAY LAST TIME

上次收到的-救难信号 MAYDAY LAST TIME 救命！救命！！救命!!! 收到 从沉没游艇发出的持续求救信号!!!. 我们 – 在总吨为三万两千吨的船只上， 听到了这个紧急的消息 .. 这个微弱的呼叫正来自一条沈没游艇,经过 20个小时的 呼叫, 他的特高频的电池是差不多没电了. 他也射击所有的火箭，但是没有人来援救他，, 这在距葡萄牙海岸大约 60海里处. 这个交通繁忙的地段发生是偶然的 我们开始搜寻 最后看见在大海之中出现断坏天线柱的小游艇. 那里艇甲板上有三个精疲力尽的的法国人. 我下了命令把遇海难的人救起在我们的甲板上,真难相信, 他们只是等候 。而且令人惊奇的是一个手臂折断的 - 游艇的船长，艰难地攀登上我们的引水梯，他对我宣布: - 船长,因为我将不离开我的游艇 , 所以如果你想要解救我们,你必须连同游艇一起救助. 我的理由是：我没有起重机吊起游艇, 所以 不给一个结果. 此际我的船员小船上精疲力尽的年轻的法国人和教母救起到我们船的甲板上并且照顾他的健康. 我也使船长倾向停留，但是他拒绝，而且他开始动摇步向引水梯的方向. -该做什么? -我在思考着- 我在确信没有损失之上, 不可以留下这个疯子. 唯一的方法是我船做为游艇的拖船. 船长如释重负地接受了我的如此测试的收集诺言. 这次尽管 我坚持要他停留在我的船上,但他再一次拒绝，而且他下去 他的游艇上. 我派我的二副下去帮忙. 我们系了 400 公尺长的我们的拖缆绳拖住游艇 ，而且我们开始拖他往最靠近葡萄牙的港口. 我的二副,由一 200 公尺的船到一 11 公尺的游艇, 立刻要克服晕船:- 他在特高频上报告全部是 O.K. 游艇在波浪上以 8节的速度在飕飕声中前进. 它是当然不在我们的航线上，但是我们期待在葡萄牙首都里斯本的造船厂有一天的余地. 在那期间一个年轻的水手汤姆斯慢慢地恢复健康. 最后他开始告诉关於整个事情的悲剧. 他们正在从阿尔及利亚到法国张帆而行. 它是他的第一巡航. 大风暴, 打断了游艇的天线柱,非常惊吓他. 当特高频进入沉默之后，他知道,这可能是意味着一切将要结束, 但是突然料想不到的得到了援救! 在拖带六个小时之后，我们在到达葡萄牙的一小港口 Figueira da Foz 的道路之上 . 在这个鱼港中没有人会说英语，但幸运地是他们懂得我的西班牙语. 我安排了从港口来的汽船, 接管游艇，而且拖她到了港口. 我们拉下汽笛与他们再见,在这之后他们在特高频上谢谢了我们. 我们全部很高兴, 拖带和援救圆满成功. 下个航次， 当我们到达波尔多的时候,游艇的船长 Xavier Sergent 从巴黎来拜访我们的船. 他和我们共度了愉快的时光, 再一次为海难救援对船员表示谢谢. 他说出来, 他是一个原子的发电所的一位经理也是一名伟大的水手. 在二年相互的通信之後, 他在通常的巡航游艇之上邀请了我,我写信给他, 我女儿正在计划到法国旅行欢度蜜月. 他在长信上复印了他的巴黎附近小房子的画. 接近在他的房子门边,在石头之下，他留下了 钥匙. 这是我的房子的钥匙;我邀请你的女儿，你和所有的朋友. 万一我不在 ， 房子所有的用具归你使用，请便 . 他和她的丈夫在巴黎遇见了我的女儿而且邀请他们到他的美丽房子. 他安排了他们满二个星期的娱乐. 古的波兰谚语: 说 "善待别人, 别人同样善待你". Captain W. Grycner Chief Stew./RO Lin Jing Jie translating my stories from English toChinese.

LONELY SAILOR

LONELY SAILOR It was on 17th January of 1998, our 38 thousand DWT M/V “Lake Mead” was on her way to Corpus Christi (USA) for load full cargo of aluminium. I dropped in the morning into bridge to see what is up, as usual. - Captain, I just had to call you, because I saw something strange on port side - reported me on good morning 3-rd officer. I saw through binocular jumping on the wave white speck - nor yacht, nor motorboat? - In fact it looks oddly, anyway it is still far away to affirm what is this. I checked position - we were about 100 miles west from Florida and Northwest from Cuba. They could not be Cubans refugees, because the current would drift them to Florida – in east direction. But it was also too far from land for a motor boat... Maybe there were drug smugglers? - It flitted through my head. - Maybe somebody need help? ... -Third! We will turn to port to get closer to him - I decided - We will see from close what is floating over there.. Weather after storm always is better and this way it was also today. After yesterday’s front wind remained only small swell, and sun was reflected into blue sea. Even we approached more and radar indicated distance 5 miles to disappearing on wave white speck, we still couldn’t recognize floating target. Suddenly we heard disappearing call on VHF: - Yacht calling ship!!! - I took VHF handset: - Replying ship "Lake Mead". Please give me your position? In VHF took control silence... I did not know if the call was coming from white speck or from another yacht, besides he did not call for help. From a distance 4 miles we saw already through binoculars, that our white speck is a yacht with broken mast. Then somebody wheezed on VHF again - very weak voice called: Yacht calling ship!!! - Replying ship. Please give your position - I shouted again. He answered - My position: 24 Degrees 33 minutes North and 085 Degrees 15 minutes west – answered weak voice (how from behind worlds). - Third! Check this position on chart?!!! – I ordered. - Captain, this is position in front of us- replayed third mate. - Oh! Dear friend, what happened to you? I see your yacht, we are approaching to you!!! Are you alone? - I am sinking. Can you help me? Yes I am alone! - I heard in answer. There was a yacht sinking ahead of us, and alone sailor was in ... I raised at once alarm "man over the board " and I began to slow down engine to stop our big ship proceeding with full speed. - What happens to your yacht, do you want me to try to save her? - I asked again. - Yacht gathers water very quickly; perhaps it will not let to save her!!!-he answered. - I sail to Corpus Christi, so I can take you on board! – I said - Please do it, it doesn’t matter where to!!! – shouted in VHF Sailor. We had stores crane on stern, so I thought, that maybe I could heave up a yacht on my deck... Our 200-meter vessel in a distance about 50 metres from sinking yacht and from very small pontoon, on which sailor slept yourself. Heaving line thrown from deck hit straight into pontoon and in the moment the sailor climbed our Pilot Ladder. Down on waves was rolling blue yacht s/y "INSPIRATION", on her deck laid her broken mast in bush of wires, lines and sails. Sailor drew in two modest bags saved property on ship 's deck, and alone climbed skilfully onto our main deck. - Sheisse!!! - He growled tramping leg and showing finger onto own yacht. - Dziękuja …- muttered after in Polish language, when he inquired, that Polish crew saved him. In a moment he went to the bridge and watched, with tears in eye how his yacht sank slowly. -Captain, it feels” like a half of my heart had sank”, I lost my sweetheart girl - in lonely cruise I was taking to her very often. -Chief!!! - I shouted onto deck - one should send two peoples onto this small pontoon on yacht and to see whether it does not have somebody there!!!? Boatswain Jasiu and A/B Bogdan rowed onto small pontoon, fighting with waves and attached to pontoon line. They reached happily to yacht and, didn’t find anybody – water were dikes almost under deck, and they managed to save from yacht only accordion. Yacht sank "on our eyes", and German sailor Horst Scholz wept on wing of our bridge. I offered Horst a glass of "Johnny Walker", and steward placed him in comfortable Owner’s cabin. Saturday evening, at barbecue, after some beers, sailor began to tell long tale about travel round the world. On save accordion was playing Chief Engineer and steward accompanied jerking strings of his electric guitar. We sang songs and thread of friendship tied between us. - You Know - he said - I left 1,5 year ago from Peenemünde, and I had only 2 years time, to sail around the world. - So you sailed almost whole the world, to meet us - while we live only about 200 kilometres from each other - I crack a joke. - I sailed 26000 miles already, I had only 5 000 miles left and in Europe I would finish the trip around the word. - Three years I was building this 8-meter Sloop, perhaps she was a bit too small for that travel. Besides I did not have good materials. You know how difficult it was to get best materials in East Germany during communist times. - Into last travel I sailed from island “Isla Mujeres” in Mexico, my intention was to reach Florida - only 3 days of sailing... - Suddenly in the first day mast already was broken. After all it was not strong storm, only waves were unpleasant, and just rusted mast did not hold on. - I jumped to water and I drew out this damned mast onto deck. All it was tangled, but I managed to set small sail. - When wind changed I could sail only of New Orleans direction. In night large ship m/v "ZEUS", and captain lit up me searchlight and I found that Captain was my countryman from former East Germany. He wanted to take me to Corpus Christi. I refused him, because I thought, that on this small piece of sail I would reach land and save my dear yacht... It was not successful, for three days the waves hit into yacht and cracked fastening screw of keel. She began to dike through keel... I tried to make watertight leakage, but I had no chances. - Through next twenty-four hours I was taking out water with a little pail and I called for help by my small mobile VHF, but nobody heard me. Large aerial from radio was broken together with mast. - I saw ships passing near, but nobody answered my calls - perhaps my small VHF was too weak... Besides my portable VHF batteries slowly got out... - I lit behind the board small motor, and on remains of fuel I tried to get closer to frequented ship’s rout. I sailed only 20 miles and fuel was finished, it lacked yet about 10 miles to rout - well, that you were a bit from her into side... - I decided next night to shot 10 red rockets, near ahead of passing ship. So great was my disappointment because ship passed and nobody saw my rockets... remained me two rocket and died VHF... - Then I began to pray... - Suddenly in the morning I saw, big ship turning into my side and heading straight to me... - I breathed with relief - Somebody in heaven heard my preys and sent me the ship !!! He broke here, and his eyepieces were wet of emotion... Thin, grey bearded man with earring in ear, clicking with pleasure tongue above chicken, and he resumed own story. - I commenced this cruise from Peenemünde, I reached Emden and dikes I put into port Ems onto river. I crossed all Europe by channels and rivers and I sailed on river Moiré out at sea near of Marseilles. I speak to you, this is beautiful rout, and I recommend you to choose there once. - I sailed inland, then on Mediterranean Sea many nice places. I spent few days on Capri and on Greek islands then I sailed through Suez Channel into Red Sea. - Dikes I dived - beautiful under-water views – only swimming alone is a bit fear, because round there are sharks... -It was very nice in Egypt and Eritrea. Bloody hot Eritrea, but near at hand, not far on beautiful plateau, temperature like in Europe. - It was difficult for me to sail from Red Sea to Indian Ocean - all the way against the wind and current. At last I reached beautiful Maldives, and I sailed from there onto Indonesia. - On middle of Ocean caught me strong storm and my autopilot was broken. - For the next 12 days (1000 mil) I had day and night to steer alone. I fell asleep at wheel for a few minutes and I woke up frightened, if there not happened anything bad?.. I tried to sleep dropping the sails, but waves wanted to shatter yacht, and inclinations threw out me from the bed.. - Anyway it was successful that I reached Djakarta, where I repaired my autopilot. - They were beautiful islands and girls on Further and Lombok... Many beautiful different small islets, until I reached New Guinea. I visited dikes of some splendid islets and somehow the wilds did not eat me... - On the way to Japan, I hid myself on Guam Island (where Americans have military base), escaping from typhoon. - How did you know, that typhoon comes? –asked our Radio Officer. - From clouds and barometer - I did not have more instruments to receive weather forecast - answered sailor calmly and he pulled own tale further... - On Japanese islands, I was hospitably accepted almost for month - it was sorrow sailed out, until at last I decided to jump through Pacific Ocean. - I arrived straight to Vancouver in Canada. This longest passage was without port - 48 days of shipping. I sailed high north - it was bloody cold! - I did not have heating on yacht... - It was Fear to sail in fog without radar - at times I heard only passing by ship’s machine engines rumble close. I prayed then and I counted on this, that they see me in own radars and it will not crash my small yacht... I had no money for best equipment on yacht, because of this I did not have also rescue raft, not even satellite's buoy... - So you had equipment almost like Columbus – joked Chief officer... - Somehow it managed to me to jump over Oceans and I came to beautiful Canada. - Again wonderful views of clean nature. - They were sweat and mad cities on American hole coasts: San Francisco, San Diego, Acapulco - it is not possible to tell itself this, what of dikes I lived... - Splendid Costa Rica and finally Panama - I was on the other side! - From here it is already only one jump through Atlantic and I would finish my ring round the world... - I wrapped up "Isla Mujeres" - onto Mexican island how the name shows full of beautiful women - I advise you to go there - our sailor smiled. - You know the rest already, because you saved me on the way to Florida. I sorrow my yacht, but I was always optimist, so I have hope, that I will build new and I will sail again through the Oceans, but this time for sure not alone... After two days of shipping we brought our sailor to Corpus Christi in USA. Suddenly world aroused for lonely sailor - appeared press, radio and television. Journalists outdistance themselves, in order to have obtained exclusive right to his story We appeared also together on two televisions' channels!!! The lonely sailor became famous suddenly - and we by the way. - You look like Polish Captain!!! - I saw you in Newspaper!!!- old man shouted on the street in Corpus Christi... Excited, jerking for sleeve of my uniform he asked: - Did you save this sailor?!!! - Yes I did - I affirmed proudly – I am just going to Television... - What’s a pity, that I do not have my camera!!! I could show you for all my Polish friends in Chicago... - I am Lithuanian, I live in Chicago, and I will tell all of them, that I met you!!! I speak a little “po polsku” – said old man very glad of our meeting.. The lonely sailor Horst does not sail alone any more, he visits me in Szczecin, where we sail on my yacht s/y "MAMUŚKA", also sometimes on Horst’s new yacht on beautiful lakes close to Berlin were he lives. Captain. W.Grycner

Captain "Rust"

Captain "Rust" I met different Captains before I reached my four stripes. The Englishman shouted in noon: -Chief ! Fucking bloody! Who is knocking so noisy? Do they don’t know that I am sleeping? - Sorry Captain, but we should maintain the superstructure decks. - Let them knock themselves on fore deck. - But there is already chipped and painted. - Fucken shit! Let them chip once again! His contrast was the German captain (sixty years old), who when joining the ship introduced himself to the crew: - Everybody calls me "Captain Rust" ... And after he declared: - Chief, I will de-rust this ship. The ship, how for Her 22 years was in best condition, and Filipinos for some overtime money were chipping the rust even at night. So well, next day captain commenced de-rusting the ship. I saw "Old Man" in the morning breaking the rust on hatch coaming, with rust machine. Work with a machine is hard and terribly noisy. After few hours of keeping of hammers, the arms start to tremble like the drinker’s hands. Unbelievable, but the Captain was working whole day without break. I thought, that it was only a show, but next two days were the same. I could not allow myself, in order to be worse. So I called boatswain, then I ordered him to have another rust machine ready to work, and I began to de-rust on the other side of hatch coaming. "Old Man" was knocking 8 hours and he had 4-hour sea watches, so in order to be best, I was chipping 6 hours, but I had 10 hours of watch yet. Equity, isn’t it? This competition carried on through next few months. At sea, I was working instead of 10 hours, 16 hours daily, for same money of course. My hands trembled and whole my body started trembling from this machine I shivered, but I could not be worse then the Captain.... Every day the "Old Man" measured how much we had chipped, then was calculating rate per hour and affirmed: - Chief, you chipped today 10 cm more... But I did better then you. Of course I thought differently. Every week we established common plan of de-rusting, but soon after beginning of works the captain threw the crew elsewhere to other work. Then I run up to his cabin with question: - Captain!!! Who is Chief officer on this ship, you or I? - Chief, of course you are Chief. - So then why you shift my crew all the time to other work? - Just, because you know I thought that also we could make other job. - Please tell me, what do you want to do finally? Then we established new plan of work and in a few days the whole history happened again. One day he called me to his cabin and showed me lying on his table, big pieces of fat onto 3 centimetres rust. - Look Chief, I have found such fat rust on this ship, and ship owner has to see it. My eyes come onto top from surprise; I haven’t seen such a fat rust anywhere. Thunder hit me, I called in boatswain and I asked, where the "Old Man" had found such rust? - He tore off the wall Chief, and he destroyed whole mess taking out this 22 years rust from behind the wall. I got irritated myself horrible, not enough, that captain demolished whole wall in mess, but he wants to press ship owner yet, that we did not de-rust exactly. I watched, when he went out from his cabin and I threw away these pieces of rust over the board. After a few minutes the Captain cried. - Chief, where is my rust? I run to his cabin, and he howled further. He broke suddenly, he walloped fist into table and wildly looking he waited for my explanation. - What rust? - I asked. - Just this, what laid here on the table!!! I did not see any rust - I answered calmly and I went out from his cabin. Captain's de-rusting has been finished.... After a few months the ship owner sold the ship onto scrap... Capt. W. Grycner

La muerte del Capitan

La muerte del Capitán Un mes al ancla en la rada de un puerto africano ha sucedido algo terrible. Lejana en la orilla la guerra estaba. Nosotros podíamos oír los sonidos de disparos desde tierra. Nosotros no teníamos una valiosa carga y ciertamente debido a este los piratas no nos visitaron hasta ahora. Pero el ambiente por la espera era muy desagradable. Nadie sabia cuánto tiempo nosotros esperaríamos por la entrada al puerto. La tripulación no podía dormir en las noches con las cabinas calientes y a la espera del ataque pirata. El Capitán un día entró en el Puente, llevando un pedazo de línea, y dijo: - Yo voy a colgarme. eel - Sí, Señor, contestó con la sonrisa invariable en la boca, el segundo oficial Filipino. Pero después de algunas horas no volvió, y es que ese Capitán no hablaba en broma y él se colgó en su propio baño. El mayordomo filipino que lo encontró corría como aterrorizado alrededor de la nave, gritando, : ¡Capitán se colgó! ¡Capitán se colgó! Cuando nosotros cortamos la línea al Capitán, resultó; que no podíamos salvarlo porque el ya estaba muerto. ¡Jesús, María!! El mayordomo filipino afectado -gemía – ¿qué haremos nosotros ahora? Como Primer Oficial yo tome el control de la nave y empecé informando a todos los involucrados, sobre lo que pasó. La familia del capitán en Hamburgo preguntó por la deportación del cuerpo. Envie esta solicitud al dueño de la nave y yo intente conseguir esto a través del agente local. Pasaron unos días de completa ineficacia del agente. Después de 5 días de espera, agente afirmó la resolución, que él no podía realizar la deportación de cuerpo. - Aquí estamos en guerra, tenemos bastantes cuerpos en las calles, yo no puedo poner un ataúd especial de metal - lamentó al Agente. El Capitán se coloco en su cabina caliente, porque nosotros no podíamos poner el cuerpo en el refrigerador de provisiones junto con la carne. Nosotros teníamos un refrigerador pequeño, pero capitán no entró todo allí. Un día Cocinero filipino me propuso que cortará el cuerpo en partes pequeñas y de algún modo lo congelará a ese refrigerador. Pero yo no estaba de acuerdo - afirmando, este Capitán tiene que quedarse en un pedazo. El olor hediondo del cuerpo se había pasado alrededor de la nave. Por fin, Hamburgo envió una recomendación: Organizar el Entierro del Mar. Yo no tenía en tal ceremonia ninguna práctica. Así que convoqué al Reparador filipino y yo lo instruí en la fabricación de un ataúd. !Pero Capitán, nosotros no tenemos material para hacer este ataúd! - El Reparador rechinó. ¿Quizá nosotros tenemos el tarpaulin? - pregunte. !No Señor tampoco nosotros tenemos!!! - Sólo ocupe pedazos de laminas de la pared de la cabina desocupada y únalos como un ataúd; pero cárguelo bien en las piernas, con bastante peso. - Sí, Señor - con la sonrisa inconfundible el Reparador contestó. Después de que en dos días el ataúd estaba acabado, viramos con esfuerzo al ancla, y nosotros navegamos hacia "Mar afuera." Después de un estudio urgente de la Biblia, yo escogí un fragmento que parecía apropiado para esta circunstancia. Cargado el ataúd con un grillete pesado ya cubierto con bandera alemana de pie en el lado de la cubierta principal. Toda la tripulación acudió a la cubierta, al lado de estribor. Yo empecé la ceremonia orando por nuestro Capitán. Leí los Salmos convenientes de la Biblia, entonces: -¡ Atención larga el ataúd!!! - yo instruí (la misma manera como dejar caer el ancla). El ataúd pegó el agua y se rompió en partes pequeñas. Posteriormente, el Capitán salió fuera, hacia la superficie del agua. - ¡Jesús, María!!! - Mayordomo gritaba histéricamente, y el resto de la tripulación estaba de pie asombrado. ! La alarma! ¡El Bote Salvavidas del barco! ¡Salvemos al Capitán! - Yo grité. Los Filipinos se subieron al bote salvavidas y muy rápidamente lo bajaron al nivel del mar. Ellos atraparon al Capitán, con el bichero del bote y colocaron el cuerpo en la cubierta del bote salvavidas. Nosotros izamos el bote salvavidas y el Capitán estaba de nuevo con nosotros. ¿ Qué hacemos ahora con él? - preguntó el Contramaestre. - Póngalo en la cubierta y procedan a secarlo - yo dije desconcertado. Posteriormente nosotros volvimos al fondeadero. Capitán se puso adelante en la cubierta y él se secó rápidamente en el sol tropical. Cubierto por una funda blanca, su cuerpo no fue molestado. Filipinos sólo pasaban por el otro lado de la cubierta de la nave, temían que él se despertará. . Los próximos días yo pensé cómo hacer el ataúd mas firme, de repente el Reparador golpeó mi puerta. - Capitán, yo tengo una idea buena cómo esconder al capitán - él rechinó. - ¡ Foucking me cago!!! Usted ya hizo un ataúd. Yo le dije que pusiera los grilletes pesados en las piernas del Capitán - yo grité enfadado. - Si Señor, yo puse los grilletes, pero desgraciadamente yo no los amarre a las piernas del Capitán... -Pero Capitán ahora yo tengo una idea muy buena... -OK ¡Prosiga!!! - Capitán, en la bodega 2 nosotros tenemos en la carga una cañería de acero, yo cortaré esa cañería y nosotros pondremos al "Hombre viejo" en esta cañería. No es mala idea, yo pensé... OK. Yo estaba de acuerdo, pero después de que usted corte, usted tiene que soldar y tapar ambos lados. - Claro Capitán, nosotros haremos algunos agujeros en la cañería, y el hombre se hundirá. - De acuerdo, usted ocupe a la gente y lo hace de esa manera. Lo mismo que la primera vez, nosotros repetimos la ceremonia: - ¡Atención larga la cañería!!! Yo ordeno. Pero a la cañería no quería hundirse... Aproximadamente dos horas nosotros esperamos y la cañería seguía flotando... asustado el Contramaestre Filipino decía, ese Capitán no se hundirá - él nadará hasta Hamburgo. Por fin, el agua penetra en la cañería por los agujeros pequeños y Capitán se hundía en el Océano Atlántico. Lejos de su propio país –cercano a la tierra africana hostil. Esto sucedió en el mar... y es la vida del marinero. Capt. W. Grycner

Mayday m/s "Niewiadów"

Mayday m/s "Niewiadów" Captain!!! Ship is overturning!!!- Shouted in loudspeaker over my bed Chief Officer. I jumped from bed to window - in fact we were listed to port side. - Steady on the wind! – I shouted to loudspeaker. I put on trousers and ran on bridge. It was five o’clock in the morning, dark, autumn, and as usual stormy weather. I caught a telegraph and reduced speed, same time giving orders to helmsman. - Steady on the wind. Ship already turned towards the wind. Constant list was about 5 degrees and was deepening every minute. Nobody knew why. I thought intensely what happened, what to do? - Chief, take boatswain and look on deck, what happened?!- I ordered. I phoned to engine room. - Second, look in engine for water of leakages, ship is listing to port side, we do not know why?... After few minutes constant list reached 10 degrees, when onto bridge ran electrician and few seamen. - What happened Captain?!- everybody asked. - I do not know, ship is listing, wake up all crew for boat alarm, meeting at lifeboats. I did not like to sound bells in the night and panic crew. Calmly awake seamen in few minutes were standby at lifeboats and they waited my orders. -Bridge! Captain in engine we have no water! Here all is okay! –shouted in phone second engineer. -Okay! Pump out port side ballasts! We have to check if there is water!?, - I ordered. These were longest minutes in my live. Standing at telegraph (pitch propeller) I was adjusting speed and giving orders. I thought - this is impossible, my ship cannot sink. Damn it what’s happening? After 10 minutes constant list reached 15-here degrees, but she was rolling up to 30 degrees then half of hatch covers were under the water. All port side ballast air vents were all time under the water- maybe there was water leaking to the ballasts? I was steering across the waves and adjusting the speed I tried to reduce rolling. - Third! Make position! –I ordered - Second! Prepare with radio officer Mayday, we ask for assist. Then after 5 minutes breathless Chief officer ran on bridge. -Captain! We found it! Water coming to hold number 2 through damaged water doors, to the manhole - Is it possible to repair these doors? - I asked. - We’ll try, bosun is already trying. Engineers reported: - We stripped port side ballasts, but there were only rests and there is no more suction…. - Strip them every 15 minutes, because all ballast vent pipes are under the water and we have to know, whether balls in pipes are holding. We have water in hold number 2, so pump out also hold’s number 2 bilge. - Okay! Don’t forget about us, we are down with Third engineer. - Don’t worry I remember, when will be necessary to escape, I’ll call you. Will they have enough time to run away from engine room? – I thought. Mayday report was prepared and I ordered to send it, we asked for assist. - Captain, are we sinking, or not ? -nervously asked me second officer. - Damn it! We are not sinking! –I could not give another answer; even I really didn’t know that. - Third -, check, whether all crew is standby at lifeboats. All crew, dressed in immersion suits waited my orders, only five of them on bridge and two in engine chosen by me, could not wear suits, because it was impossible to work wearing it. I almost could feel glance of crew watching me- if I will put on this protective suit, it could mean for them that we going to abandon the ship. . Inside I was boiled; outside I tried to be cold and concreted. - Captain! This fucken doors are repaired, nearly watertight…leakage is very small now - reported breathless Chief officer. ‘’Stone felt from my heart’’, only small water leaking to the hold. Ballasts and bilges are empty; spheres in vents are working okay. Now – I thought- I have to reduce the list, water should not be on hatch covers - maybe they are not watertight? - Second Engineer! Pump out fresh water from port side. Transfer also fuel from port side to central tanks- I ordered through phone. OK! Captain, but we have now leakage of oil on main engine and we have to stop it, otherwise we have to stop the engine –replayed second engineer. Again my heart came up into my throat, why it never rains but it pours? Brave engineers stopped engine leakage with wooden pin, engine was running. They pumped all ordered and constant list was no more deepening. Third officer reported, watching clinometers: -Constant list 15 degrees, maximum 25 degrees. And suddenly came from port side, high swell and listed the ship deeper on port side. I watched frozen, how ship gets up slowly, but now with bigger list about 20 degrees. Ohh God! – In thought - what happened, I hopped that I already could control her? Am I loosing this ship? No! This is impossible! - Chief, you have to enter with bosun hold 2 and check how much water is there and what it’s look like. I knew that this is dangerous for them, they could not run away, but it was only way to know, what to do... After 15-minutes brave Chief officer and boatswain reported: - Captain! Cargo (anthracite in bulk) is under the coaming shifted by water on port side. In center is big crater done by water, but water already drained and coal surface is hard. This was what I wanted to know, if no more water enter the hold, then the coal will not shift any more. Engineers were slowly stripping hold’s 2 bilge. We quickly calculated, how much water could be in that hold, according calculation it should be no more then 60 tones. Only big waves could damage fucken doors again, or water could leak through not watertight hatch covers. Then I decided fill up starboard side ballast, to pull up port side from the water. This was dangerous, it was such a possibility, that ship will overturn through starboard side and then will have bigger list. I explained myself, that the coal is already hard on surface and should not shift on starboard side. Anyway I sound boat alarm and we commenced pumping starboard side ballast. The rescue operations go on already over hour, and I tried to keep courses and speed against the waves controlling ship’s rolling and reduce shipping water on hatch covers. Slowly port side came up from sea and constant list reduced to about 12 degrees on port side. Then I said to myself: now you are mine. We were sailing slow ahead against the waves, in only possible direction- to port of Riga. Baltic Sea in autumn can be very dangerous; all crew knew that not far from our position, in similar circumstances sunk first from this series, bright new sister ship-m/s "Koronowo”. On VHF and in radio station Radio Officer kept constant contact with ships coming to assist us and with centre of rescue co-ordination in Stockholm. After two hours first arrived Russian tug boat "Captain Fiedotow". I asked him to cover us from starboard sides and we sailed calmly together. Early morning how arrived 2 Swedish helicopters and proposed me to take part of crew on shore. I thank you them: - Thank you, but at the moment I am okay and I have nobody to abandon. - I answered to helicopter. Then one from them flew in direction of coming to us m/s "Kopalnia Walbrzych" and showed them our position. When "Kopalnia” commenced to cover us from waves, I thanked to helicopters and they flew away, wishing us success. - Captain! Could you adjust your speed to my? - asked on VHF - captain from "Kopalnia”- because I have trouble. -Captain! Who is sinking, you or I? - I asked him. After few moments he adjusted his speed and covered me from the wind - as I asked him before. Wind increased and reached 9 in Beaufort scale, we were fighting already 15 hours, approaching to Gulf Riska (in Russia). Suddenly I saw big Ro-Ro ship (Borodino) heading same direction. Captain Frenchman, at once agreed to cover us from waves to Riga and he did it perfectly. As I had such a big ship from covering me from my starboard side, so I thank to Russian tugboat and our m/s "Kopalnia Walbrzych"(whose captain could not wait, when I let him free). Frenchman covered us magnificently, showing great knowledge of profession. We were sailing very close in distance about 100 metres, and all turns we were doing 5 by 5 degrees, steering in darkness and storm watchfully, avoiding collision. Happily, after 24 hours fighting with storm, we reached Riga. Pilot board the ship, and 2 strong tugs started to tow us dangerously. -Fore and aft let go tug boats-I ordered- because they will overturn us! - I shouted through VHF. We let go dangerous tugs, and overtook command from pilot doing manoeuvres alone and we safety berthed. Then I really become tired. Funny thing, but before during 24 hours of fight I did not feel tired. On arrival welcomed us of course "Black custom gang”. - Sir, we nearly sunk, and you want to search us? - I ask custom officer with incredulity in voice. -Captain, we apologize, we did not know that - at once we stop searching - said officer, wishing me of pleasant stay in Riga. So we went sleep calmly, and in next day, through nobody checked (perhaps customs officers gave such recommendation) we carried out through main gate to the city remained business and went to the pub. Toasts were constantly raised. I drunk to crew, they toast to me – everybody happy that we are still alive!!! Wet coal was discharged, and water form hold 2 pumped into the barge. Then same coal again was loaded. In local court I declare " Sea Protest". Damaged watertight doors to the hold 2 were repaired and we were ready to sail, when suddenly Port Captain brought me to sign salvage agreement. - What! Did you save us? - I was surprised sincerely. - Yes Captain, without our help you couldn’t go out from this port, we discharged your coal and pumped out water- so now you are ready to sail. - But I could drop anchor on the road and other Polish ship could discharge my cargo. - No you couldn’t do this, because I wouldn’t allow for this - he cut discussion. Finally after negotiations, in which I involved Ship owner, we paid only fore cargo operations and water discharge. My wonderful crew bought for me in the town big ‘’samovar’’ with engraven plate - ”For Captain with thanks for salvage - crew”. We sailed again to England, although again was stormy- 9 in Beafourt. From beginning crew feelings were mixed -in style latter A/B Michel’s answers on Sea Court Room: -It was storm - continued own story Michel. - But on beginning wind was only force 7 -stopped him Delegate of Minister - this is not storm... - For Niewiadow this is storm – shortly cut Michel. - Mr. A/B then what is when force 9 is blowing? – bored Delegate. - Ouch! Then ship should find safe place!!! - So, what to do when is force 12? - Ohh! Then one should pray- said with all dignity Michel... - Captain! Maybe it’s better to drop the anchor and wait a little for passing this storm? - seamen talked to me on departure from Riga... -Gentlemen, this is autumn-stormy time; we cannot wait here for summer!!! We have to sail!!! –I answered. Then we sailed- we were storming little bit and crew convinced, that our small ship can sail also in a stormy weather... A ship is not a slave. You must make her easy in a seaway. You must never forget that you owe her the fullest share of your thought, of your skill, of your self-love. If you remember that obligation, naturally and without effort, as if it were an instinctive feeling of your inner life, she will sail, stay, run for you as long as she is able, or like a sea-bird going to rest upon angry waves, she will lay out the heaviest gale that ever made you doubt living long enough to see another sunrise. To those who believe no explanation is necessary. To those who do not believe, no explanation is possible. I would like always to sail with such a brave sailors, whose courage were even appreciated by Sea Court - by approves life-saving, and by authorities with Honourable Medals "For Courage in saving of lives and properties ”. CAPTAIN W.GRYCNER

Mississippi

Mississippi Mississippi you black river... You have to watch men’s trouble On black lots and tears... Famous black singer Paul Robson sang about her this way. In fact, this river could tell many stories, also about of my sailor’s life... For years our ships dropped here anchors, arriving to load grain for Europe and all world. Some Polish Steamships Co. ships, were loaded here every day, we knew this river how own, because we were more often on her, then on our river Oder. This time I was sailing to New Orleans on m/s "University Jagiellonski”. Longest world river (together from Missouri -6970 km), named by Indians "Father of waters” marked at sea own presence on 60 mil in front of estuary - changing blue water of Mexican Gulf onto gray and muddy. She rolled and settled at the estuary yearly about 211 millions' cubic meters of mud. This material sedimentary yearly shifts estuary of river about 100 meters into the sea, where (at high state) about 51000 tones of water falls in a second? There are places where fresh water meets salt water and creates on 3 - 5 meters depth suspension "Slush” – so dense, that may even reduce speed of ship. "Father of waters” draws own springs Itasca of (460 meters above level of sea) in State Minnesota from outflow of lake. Near of St. Louis accepts tributary of Illinois and Missouri and close to Cairo join the richest in water tributary of Ohio. From this place run of river is moles and variable, she divides onto arms (bayous) and running through boundary strip banks it had spilled. Inches drainage basin hugs 3250000 square kilometers - or 10 times more then Polish territory. Sometimes Mississippi runs 7 knots, but sometimes falls of river arguments, is so small (20mm on 1 km) is exceedingly – then water almost ‘’stands’’, and river is reaching width 2.4 of kilometer. We are sailing between numerous Oil Rigs exploiting of oils fields and gas, as usual in deepest SW PASS entrance of the river. There we are taking pilot to Pilot Town - for one stage about 1,5 hour of navigation this time we sailing to Batton Rouge. On Pilot’s Ladder climbs with trouble fat Pilot. -Fucken shit!!! – We can hear him on the stairs. -Welcome on board - I greet him politely on bridge. -Go to Hell Captain! Why do you have not a lift? - he answers. I have reduced already my 60 pounds weight and I am hardly alive - he adds. From where this Americans have such a fat asses? - I wonder myself. In a few moments Pilot cached second breath, started eat sandwich prepared by cook and recovers better humor. - Do You Know Captain? - he asks - some days ago - here in entrance from one ship jumped into the river 12 stowaways from Dominican Republic. Only one survived – he told newspapers after that how he saw own family eaten by alligators. -Cholera!!! Nice story, I heard that happen often here under the way... - Not very often!!! You know these stupid stowaways escaping to paradise and when they see land can not stay any longer and jump to the water - and there are alligators waiting on them on swamps. - They do not know, that there is not any passage through these swamps... - So how this one survived?.. -When he saw what is happening, jumped again to the water and cached piece of wood and on top of that sailed on bay. Sake of God, fisherman found him. He had luck, because you know who knows this river, will tell you that it’s very small chance to survive... It was morning, and mosquitoes from swamps were biting like crazy..., Cholera – I think - on this infernal swamps lying in ambush malaria and Yellow Fever... At Pilot Town we changed Pilot and together with Pilot entered young boy. -Such a young and already Pilot? - I wondered... -Captain... My Father was here Pilot, and my uncle still is a pilot at Mississippi. - I Know... I know – I heard about, here to join as pilot, one should have Pilot in family... - This is mafia Captain; one should have besides two pilots for recommendations... -Just, I saw once on the river black Pilot’s assistance? -This is truth, he was a one – Federals pushed us to do this, to show that there is not have racism. But this "Gorilla” did not resist long time. -Just because of you – I though - in fact racism exist in this State, where is 52% of Blacks, and probably in New Orleans 70% residents are black. -Captain... As you know history, we white discovered this land, and we were fighting for these territories, and Negroes were our slaves... - I know that, I read Louisiana history open by .R. La Salle'a, who in 1682 year sailed from Canada, then on Mississippi reached Mexican Gulf. Took up this Land in the name of France’s King Louis IV and named Louisiana from the name of king Louis. - Captain, from where do you know our history? You know surely, that this white Frenchmen established here in 1694 year first village. -Of course, but natives were Indians here – I put in.. -That’s why we had to fight with them... and not only with them. Frenchmen always fought for freedom with Englishmen and Spanish. Really in 1817 they united this State. - I Know I read about it, New Orleans was foundered by Frenchmen in 1718, but passed together with Louisiana State in 1763 in Spanish hands, then after that in 1800 came back to France, and France sold him in for United States in 1803 … -Just you can see how much we had to fight, and we brought Negroes here as slaves from Caribbean to work onto plantations. They proliferated so much, and now we cannot manage with them. By the way to New Orleans we passed 13 small ports where were berthed some ships, and on following anchorages were waiting others. Some of them were loading from floating elevators. Traffic on the river was "How on Marszalkowska street”, between ships sailing up and down the river, sailed tugs, motor boat, push-boats with long set of barges. Pilots made an appointment between themselves on "two whistles” or on "one” and they passed starboard or port sides. Yearly arriving here over 6000 ships... Largest may have draft up to 13.7 meter. Turning about sixteenth miles before New Orleans Pilot said: - Do you Know Captain why this turn is called: "English Turn”? ... -Why? -During war with Englishmen, English fleet was sailing to New Orleans and reached to this turn. Here they met Pirate La Fayette sailboats, which laid them that big French Fleet stands below New Orleans. Englishmen frightened and turned back here – and this way New Orleans was saved. -This means. The lies can be sometimes helpful – I joked. -During this times lived also very famous General Andrew Jackson, who in 1815 beat here Englishmen, he used different stratagems and he was bloody hard. Anyway he was well known already 9 years before how lay Dickenson in duel. He defended the best's name of own Rachela. This Dickenson was excellent shooter - from 8 meters located four shots in silver dollar and hit the string. Jackson cheated him, because he dressed very wide coat and Dickenson did not know in which place aim into his heart... First shoots Dickenson: -"Great God, I did not hit him!!!” – shouted surprised, because Jackson of steel stood aimed the gun at him.. Seconds shoots Jackson, everybody noticed that he was bleeding from the chest. His shoes were full of blood..., but he Remained in position and killed Dickenson. Pilot was changed this time on two – of course whites. On Pilot ladder climbed Father with son …. -Hi Captain! This is my son - future Pilot - introduced the boy shaking my hand. - Welcome Pilot’s family – I greeted them with smile. - You Have rights Captain, this is family... , Really good mafia - joked Pilot. We were close to New Orleans; we could see forest of skyscrapers - hotels and offices. -Captain do you see this old restaurant on this cape on port side on Algiers Point? -Seems... very old perhaps has 200 years - so many what United States? -Captain ... This is new restaurant, inside is very exclusive... Americans are crazy on antiques.... Owner of this pub paid one million dollars, only for making this pub older.... You see this roof ... he put old rusty plates? ... - In fact ... You have short history over 200 years, and because of this, some crazy millionaires are taking to pieces castles in Europe and rebuilding them on newly in America. We turned on Algiers Point and in front of us appeared great panorama of New Orleans On the river how during old former years navigated steam side wheelers (paddlers) and stern-wheelers and we could hear from them romantic music, and on decks see dancing pairs.. Cascades of lights brighten up center of city. On the "River Walk” and around of fountains walked as usually many people.... - See Captain how "River Walk” berths is damaged... - Damn it! There is big hole in the berth... What happened? – I asked looking through binoculars.. -Three days drove into in this berth one ship!!! Probably she had rudder trouble... My friend Pilot got a shock – he saw how on ship’s fore deck falling people from promenade "River Walk” - you know there are shops there... He was running forward and calling for ambulance, then on fore deck saw manikins from shop’s windows.. Fortunately nobody was injured... Only berth and few shops were shattered, and ship of course was towed to shipyard. We passed under two bridges, as usually it was looking that stern mast, will not pass – however we had 2 meters of margin - not once young seamen were gathered here I was watching how old Father -Pilot, was teaching own son. - You See Captain my son is young, but this river he knows well - because was brought up on her.. He already worked on motorboats, and now is time to teach him something more. - You Know Pilot... I think, it is fantastic to pass own knowledge and live for son. We berthed to K-2 (floating elevator), and maneuvers done son under vigilant eye of Father. We were anchored on two anchors, mooring ropes were on buoys. Elevator already waited. On shore we could go only by motorboat, of course crew was ready for shopping. -Gentlemen! – I speak before departure - remember, that not long time ago one steward from our polish ship drowned here. He jumped on motorboat, slipped into the river, and he was no more seen. From this accident is issued new office regulation, all crew going shore by motorboats have to wear life jackets. Everybody wore life jackets and twelve of crew went on shore by motorboat. Driver of minibus drove us about one hour on highways to the center of New Orleans - on Canal Street. Here were cheap Greeks & Jewish shops - selling electronics mainly In one shop I commenced bargain a price for lens to my camera. Seller was clever like a fox. -This fellow bargains with me how Polish Jew – I said to colleague. -Tylko nie polski Zyd! (Only not polish Jew!) - Suddenly said seller. -You better watch what you speak, because you somebody will shoot you, her we have Jewish mafia – he worn me. Seems that in this 1.5 one-millionth city were "Our” Jews also- I responded. We walked between skyscrapers, passed some supermarkets, where man can everything and spent evening of course on French Quarter... Here in center of amusement played world’s famous stars... here played Luis Armstrong and other stars of jazz. Here ends yearly parades of "Mardi Gras”. We watched striptease of transvestites and dance on pipe; drunk cocktail "Hurricane” and we had to come back on the ship. It’s dangerous walking here in the night between homeless sleeping on the sidewalks, but we had only to reach our appointed minibus - that is a second face of capitalism. It close to 2300 hours, when motorboat with crew arrived to the ship and all one by one jumped on gangway’s platform - carrying shopping. I waited as last one - watching as usually, everybody safe entered without problems...Finally remained only three of us: I, Chief Steward and Marian – former 3 rd Engineer. - Sailed with us as "Honorable passenger”. Suddenly I saw how lightly drunk Chief Steward jumps onto backs of standing on platform other seaman. For moments I thought that both of them, would fall in water, but other kept strongly the rails.... Passed long second. I could not help them, because gangway was too far... Suddenly scream and splash of water ... -Chief Steward falls down!!!… -Man over the board!!! – I shouted in Polish and English, anyway everybody saw what happened I cached the motorboat searchlight and put on swimming Chief Steward. He was close to rudder; He works very hard to be afloat... He had no life jacket – but I remember that all crew entering on gangway wore life jackets- it probably runes over his head. -Hold on!!! – I shouted to him and I throw him life buoy. Life buoy fell one meter from him... -Fucken shit!!! – The heaving line is too short!!!... Suddenly -I saw life buoys and life jackets falling down from ship’s deck ... The crew was throwing them down. They could not see fighting with strong current Chief Steward... His "Frog style” was bloody quick and desperate. Two young Americans Skippers of motor boat, were maneuvering approach closer to drowning steward, but they were afraid to catch him in motor boat propeller... -Hold on life buoy!!! – I shouted – throwing again same ring. -Fucken shit !!! – I shouted – again too short!!! Suddenly I saw thrown down from deck life buoy... afloat straight onto nose of Steward... He does not see it... - You have life buoy in front of nose!!! – I shouted with my full power. Steward throws hands out with his last power and cached life buoy... Strong current immediately took him in darkness... I run up motorboat, down the river follow Steward, searching with searchlight nervously ... Is he still alive? Suddenly in light something flashed.. - There is!!! Perhaps reflection from life ring!!!- I shouted. -Go there!!! – I passed wheel for American, and concentrated on searchlight. - I have him there is!!! – I shouted happy. -Marian –I said to our honorable passenger - keep him in searchlight, I will through him life buoy. Young American skipper run near and I through life buoy just in front of Steward’s nose... He was holding tightly life buoy with which sailed in darkness. -Catch Life buoy! - I shouted as much I could, because of noisy motorboat engine He caught it... Now he hanged on two life buoys, and I had him on heaving line... Easy, easy –I think- do not break this line. I towed him to boat side. - He is alongside ... Cholera Marian help me to heave up him on deck!!! - Shit! Like this we have no chance...boat side is too high and current too strong. - cried Marian. -Lets tow him to the bow – there is ladder - advised American. On the bow Steward had no enough power to climb the ladder... -Keep me on my legs – I cried. Then we fixed ‘’bodies chain’’ and that way we heaved up Steward on deck. He was trembling from effort and nerves... I took him to the wheelhouse and even it was warm, I asked American to switch on heating, because Steward looks to fall in pieces from shivers... -Now we look for rest of belts and life buoys – I ordered and run again down the river. After ten minutes we found, all life buoys and life jackets thrown from the ship ... Only plastic bag with Steward shopping sunk in front of our bow. When I cooled down, I realize, that I had no time to tell the crew what happened...I did not notice that this action lasted over half an hour. -University Jagiellonski! Captain speaking! – I call on VHF . - University answers – they replayed at once. -We rescued Chief Steward... All is O.K.... He is alive!!! -Thanks God!!! We thought he already sunk!!! In fact you should thank God - I said to Steward, who was thanking me, because everybody speaking, that this was miracle.... So we can see that a miracle happens!!! Captain W. Grycner

M/S "CARE "

M/S "CARE " Finally long awaited telephone from Warsaw has rang: - Sir, this is speaking Polservice, you will join the best ship tomorrow in Rotterdam. She was bulk carrier 38000 DWT, name "CARE" – owned by German. I was completely surprise, because I thought, that I would wait for a long time for this dreamt dollar's contract. I heard short information and of course I confirmed, that I’ll go. - How much do they pay? - asked my wife. - You Know, cholera, that from this nervousness I forgot to ask them - I answered worried. I forgot also to ask, what is the ship, but he said, that was best one. Besides German owner - this sounds O.K. Next day I arrived to Rotterdam, where at hotel I met English Crewing Manager. Crewing office was placed in England. After a long conversation the Englishman was glad, that I speak English. - At last we will understand Chief Engineer, who also is Pole, you will be translator - affirmed dignified the Englishman. At dinnertime sat at our table nice Filipino woman, it turned me out; she goes onto my ship. During conversation I was not told why she had flown from Manila. Latter on I inquired, that this sweat girl was owner of directing crewing agency for Filipinos and she came, because just they were on strike demanding the pay for hitherto existing work. Next day all three of us took a taxi and drove on board. My eyes powerful heap of that scrap appeared to be "Best ship" - I groaned in spirit reminding myself the conversation with "Polservice" representative. The ship has 22 years old and she was horrible neglected. In cabin I met English Chief Officer, who had already packed his luggage. He was very glad to see me, so he embraced me palm saying: - Chief, no problems, only a big problem! He took his valise, and said: -Bye! Bye! And he went down the gangway not familiar me with the ship at all. I appeared in front of white dressed Scottish Captain. - Hello Chief! How good, that you are already on board, you have at once to fill up ballasts - said "Old Man" onto welcome. - Aye Sir! - I answered - I get already to work. I did not know what was waiting for me. Filling up ballasts – routine job, easy thing, so I rang to engine room, to order Engineers fill suitable ballasts, how it is practised in our fleet. Chief, this is not our job, it has been always Chief Officer work - I heard from Chief Engineer, also Pole. I found a carpenter /Filipino/ and I ordered him to measure ballasts. - Chief, it does not have to measured, there are holes in ballasts tanks and they are leakages between them - calmly affirmed carpenter. I rummaged in - /ship was built in Leningrad/, Russian-German - English documents, I drew out plans and I began to bite in two ballast systems. Pumping station was situated in engine room, and through whole ship was mean ballast channel, from which really they filled following ballasts. I got off to engine room and I began to bite into pumping station. On the big rusty box watches showed coefficients, opened air following ballast valves, but unfortunately they could be opened only on board, but not down in ballast’s channel. Ship began to lean out, water was not coming there, where it had been pumped in – valves were stock. I climb up onto deck, and I quickly measured ballasts by myself and I went down 15 metres onto manhole ladder, into valve’s channel running along starboard ship 's side. In darkness, in high one-meter channel, in stinking and oily water I found by feeling cart on rails under water. Slowly, going on pushed manually cart, I lit up torch and I checked following valves. Stubborn springs of valves I hit with hammer this, springs until they were with rumble released. Whole wet and oily, I was crawling 200 meters on cart in the one-meter channel, then I reached exit manhole, climbed on ladder to the deck and again went to Engine Room. Trough next 20 hours I measured this rout, over and over, it was kind of relay race, bloody exhaustive. I was polished, wet, dirty and close break - damned life of bilge’s rat. Did my dollar contract have to look that way? Perhaps I will not hold out and I will give it up. But return home it’s shame, so I compressed my teeth and I continued to work as hard as I could. In spite of huge troubles and all opposites, I filled up those damned ballasts tanks and emaciated felt into the bed dirty. After two days, we sailed away already, and there was no time for meditations, I had to work. All ship was rusted, and engine was spraying fountains of oil and hot water. Everybody was surprised that she is still afloat. We were drifting few days, and repairing engine, but fortunately we reached Norfolk in States. We had to load pet coke to Romania. Our Captain – elegant one, was sipping whisky and didn’t take anything to his heart excessively. Tired, eternally dirty Chief Engineer was weeping every day, that engine would not go further. When we arrived to Norfolk road- suddenly surprise- to the ship's side arrived motorboat with FBI man, and in a moment the "Old Man" called Chief Engineer and me to his cabin. -Gentlemen, please pack necessary things. You have to go with FBI Officer onto land to hotel- informed us stifled and nervous "Old Man". - What is going on? - I asked surprised. - Nothing, all Poles (from communist country) have to be put into hotel, because there is in this port Navy Base – answered armed FBI Officer. - What? Does it mean, that we are arrested? – asked frightened Chief Engineer. - No you will stay in hotel only during ship’s berthing at this port. After loading I will bring you back on board – added Officer. We looked insecure to each other, how can he deceives us, but well, what to do, how authorities order that way, it has to be this way. We packed bundles and we got by motorboat and under escort to shore, leaving the furious captain, with all the problems. The FBI Officer drove us in his car to a beautiful seaside hotel, comfortable with air-conditioning, ten stations TV network, restaurant, disco and a beautiful swimming pool. Summer was in full moon, and lot of guests were staying at hotel. We were informed in the morning that in restaurant and bar we can eat and drink what we wish to, only we have to sign the bills. The FBI Officer said, that we could go to city or where we want, except Navy Base... It’s wonderful - I though to myself - I can live all the time in such prison, that is luxurious holidays, and additionally ship’s salary is paid. In restaurant and bar after few days all bowed us, because we drank only dearest liquors and we signed large tips /pocket money/ for waiters and bartender. The hotel /American House/ was opened for all people and all the time guests were changed. We were spending all days on the beach or at pool, and the evenings at disco. We went to the city to have some shopping. One day arrived to the hotel an American family, with Polish origins. - Oh, you are Poles! – suddenly started to cry old man, close by us in restaurant. In a moment we feasted together, and American countryman boasted, that he is millionaire, who made moneys on packing of potatoes. His seventeen years beautiful daughter, took a liking for herself of me and every day in the morning, she woke up me inviting onto pool. Dad was watching us with approval, on and in conversation mentioned, that he need to have as a son-in-law only Pole. The heart is not a servant, stayed in Poland. The FBI Officer made us “family album”, but he got frightened, when we began to photograph him also. He transported us with pleasure by own car, where we only wished ourselves, but not to Navy Base and he was very friendly at all. He told us once, why they take Poles and all of seamen from communist countries to the hotel. Once upon a time, when it was not under restriction yet, our seamen were returning after drunk to the ship, they missed the way, and reached the Navy Base. They were walking dikes long after navy ships, wanting to tour them, until somebody did not realised himself, about type of excursion. Terrible hum made himself, they were recognised as the spies and jailed. Latter the matter of “spies” was explained, and they were free, but from this time greater rigours were introduced, which pleased us personally very much. On removals from the FBI Officer’s" Family album”, I recognised some friends from Poland, apparently we were not only one experienced American hospitalities here, resulting from this rigours. We spent in hotel one week, it passed like lightning and FBI took us with his motorboat back to the ship on the road. Our ship was full loaded with coke and waited for us at anchorage. The Scotsman greeted us swear languages, and after that, he added to me: - Chief, get to work, pump up this damned ballasts, because nobody is able to do this. All luck, that ship loaded light coke, which permitted not to discharge all ballasts. Captain tried alone to crawl in valve’s channel to discharge ballasts, but after few hours he gave up entries. American Chief Engineer signed on (according rules) for manoeuvres of entries and exits from port, was paid 1200 dollars. Sitting in the cabin, he pulled whisky and did not look down to machine engine at all. I pumped up ballasts and we sailed to Romania, surprise oneself, that this scrap is still afloat. At sea the "Old Man" received a telegram that we will be sailing on the line to Norfolk. Thunder hit him, on thought that he would work again in valve’s tunnel. I was jumping up happy; will I always have free holidays at "American House"? But company did not like it! From Romania I flew plane onto different ship from the same company, where Captain /German/ sack off German Chief Officer, because he was lazy and he was eating too much. Shit! No more holidays - I thought, and now I should stop eating. Captain. . Włodzimierz GRYCNER

Berber’s Belly Dance.

Berber’s Belly Dance. S/s "Białystok" was laying up since a couple days in Casablanca. It was 1969 and I was 2nd officer at that time. Once free of duty I decided to recognise the night life of this beautiful city. The guide, a small Arab conducted me to a night club, where Berber’s girls were dancing “Belly Dance”. We took a seat at a modest corner and had a beer, just because there were only 5 dollars in my pocket. On the floor were dancing beautiful, longhaired girls. They were dressed stingy, on bust small golden blocks, on hip wide golden belts, and of leg covered delicate muslin. Round parquet floor sat excited Arabs. Suddenly among them I saw the American keeping in hand bunch of dollars. He was sitting close to an Arabian white dressed "Sheikh" with bunch of drachmas in hands. They were in competition... "Sheikh” gone out onto parquet floor and put - notes for belt of dancer, and American stuck dollars to girl’s forehead. Girls sold themselves by auction this way, and they were dancing just like in trance. At the moment I heard Arab shouting at the American: - Where are you from? The answer was amazing: - From Warsaw. It shocked me. From Warsaw? From where does he have so much money? I got up and approached to him, patting from back into arm and said: -Cześć Koleś ! ( Hi man !) His answer surprised me once more: -“Cześć Koleś trzymaj się ramy, bo spadamy” (Hi man , hold on frames, because we are falling down). These words could know only Warsaw citizen... We threw ourselves into arms and I asked him: - What do you do “Old Man” here? - I am drinking. My wife owns so many factories, that I cannot lose it... - Never mind. I can help you. I sat down between the "Sheikh" and the American and we commenced to reduce fortune of his wife. In track of conversation it came out, that American was Polish origins and he has not seen country from 30 years.... He was really glad to meet a countryman. Beautiful Berber’s girl was still dancing in front of us. For a while I felt myself horrible poor between these rich men. Suddenly a great idea came to my mind, I drew out five zloty coin, I entered how they onto parquet floor and I put her for golden block on bust of dancer. Surprised our aluminium 5 “golden” with fisherman drew out and she took them onto tooth, in order to affirm, whether it was silver one. She began sweat around and asks how much this is dollars. Nobody could answer her this question. Finally she came to me... -Listen- I said – if you exchange tomorrow you will exchange this coin in bank, you will get 50 dollars... instead. Of course this coin was worth only few cents. At once she began to dance only for me, I gave her 50 dollars per dance, when the rest only 10 dollars … I did not have five-zloty coins more, so I started to strike intensely, what here " turn inside out ". They sold themselves by auction Sheikh with American further. I thought, how to bit them ...then I reminded myself about Polish Steamship Company marks into valve, which I had in pocket. I got up and I honoured my dancer putting the mark between her breasts. It made her astonished again and she was asking everybody around what is this. Because again nobody could explain her, so she asked me once more. I explained her that I am a ship owner, and this is my owner’s sign and from today she can travel on my passengers' ships free of charge, everywhere she only wish to go. This I pierced all of them!!! She was delighted and she was dancing now only for me... "Sheikh" got himself nervous; American was laughing like a crazy.... In sure moment she tore out herself a black long hair, she wraps upon a cigarette and she gave me. "Sheikh" explained me that this is a Berber’s sorcery and then when I light this cigarette with hair I will fall in love with her till the end of my life. I lighted the cigarette, but I threw out the hair just in case it might be the truth. Certainly I am not superstitious, but on Fridays I hate to sail, and when I will see nun, or black cat crossing my road …I come back to home. Suddenly drunk already the American began to dance on the floor and girls ran away. Between Arabs murmur of discontent passed- men do not dance here. This game could bring bad result and become dangerous. When I was trying to pull down him from the floor, not successfully, suddenly into club ... came two policemen. They were equipped with large white sticks, white helmets, and white belts. I thought to myself, that this could be end of the game and soon they will put us into handcuffs... I was not right ... It came out, that the owner of the club called them for our protection. The game was lasting until white morning had come.. But it is another story. For adults only ... Capt. W. Grycner

America

America We arrived to Tampa on Florida at night, like pirates during old times , but M/V "Clipper Eagle” arrived here not to rob and kill, just brought steel from Europe only. Saturday 1st of February, just begins great pirates holiday- ”GASPARILLA”. -Gentlemen! As old pirates - sailing from year’s seas and oceans, we have to participate in this holiday!!!- I said to my crew. We lowered our quick motor pontoon and we came together with pirate’s conquest of the city!!! Around of us sailed hundreds of motorboats, luxurious motor yachts, excursions' ships (sternwheelers and side paddlers), pontoons, water scooters and different floating vehicles. Hundreds of these water vehicles, with pirate banners, surrounded pirate’s big sailboat .... " Jose Gasparilla”. Pirate’s parade lasting!!! Guns cannonade resounds in ears. The side’s volleys from pirate sail boat and answers from surrounded her motorboats, which shoots from installed on decks small guns - battle lasts!!! On pirates deck, masts and yards, in smoke of following volleys, running originally dressed pirates. Between masts hanging pirate – this one apparently was Captain’s Gasparilla victim. On surrounded her boats, also crowds of disguised pirates- sailing together alongside of gulf, and landing on shore, and in battles breaking resistance of natives... Falling following bastions!!! Pirates inevitably coming to center of city- " Down Town” - here is last attack and city surrenders!!! Pirate sail boat " Jose Gasparilla” moors at representative berth. Now pirates take up power in the Town- begins pirate carnival lasting almost month, regularly from 1904 year- this time 93 once. Around of us on hundreds water vehicles dancing naked girls, some one especially showing charm own body - particularly to my camera., throwing to us coral beads and sending kisses... Just passing big motorboat, standing on deck richly dressed pirate scatters " Gold coins” and strings of colorful coral beads (“ glass beads”). We run on our speedy pontoon alongside the berth, on which screaming girls sending us kisses, only sheriff does not pleased, switched on his warning horn on his patrol boat ordering us to slow down speed. Now pirates coming onto streets of city – lasts street ceremony. Commencing Pirate Parade on towed on platforms Pirates Boats. Again Pirates throwing "Gold Coins” and coral beads... Plastic corals beads (worthless), but to get them people screaming; girls showing bust, and get down on knees begging... People shouting: " Beautiful Princes! King 's Son! Throw me pearls and gold”!!! In the evening the sky flashing in beautiful fireworks, on the streets dancing pirates... In Down Town, on six stages exchanging musical bands, playing to the white morning. It lasts also cultural festival, sport competitions, street runs and many different others entertainments, many games for children and special children pirate ceremony. And all of this, in order to play and enjoy the live!!! How the legend said Jose Gasparill (well-known arguments as Jose Gaspar), was born in 1756 year in Barcelona. He was King’s officer in Spanish fleet. He revolted together with crew, stool King’s treasures and escaped with King’s ship. Then next 30 years he plundered ships and western coast of Florida. His base was on islet " Gasparilla Island”(Boca Grande) not far from Fort Myers. Legend tells that during one attack, pirates captured Spanish Princes and English beauty, who after that felt in love with one from pirates name Batista. Captain allowed them to run away from pirate ship and after that Batista married English beauty on her of native land. On 21st December 1821 year finished good luck of Gasparill. He attacked sailboat, thinking that this is trade ship, but it was navy ship S.S. " Enterprise”. S.S. Enterprise allowed to come getting ready Pirates close about 500 yards and fired all sides cannons, doing sieve from Pirate’s boat. Onto bow of sinking Pirate’s boat climbed captain Gasparill, then tied himself with anchor chain and he jumped at sea shouting: "Gasparill can be killed only from own crayfish, not from crayfish of enemies ” !!! His 21 comrades were rescued and latter hanged in New Orleans. Only one (Juan Gomez) was not hanged, because was too young for hanging. Juan (ship’s boy) was after that working as a fisherman on south coast of Florida and was known there as Panther Key John. He knew where he was buried (not far from estuary of river Alafia) one from pirate treasures (11 millions' dollars in gold and jewelers). He showed this place for two friends and that how began two millionaires fortunes on Florida. On evening 3rd of February we sailed to next discharging port -Mobile in Alabama State. -Captain! You arrived exactly on carnival street parade - pilot said - today we begin two weeks holidays, "Mardi Gras” -or ‘’Fat Tuesday’’ (before Ash Wednesday and fast, one should eat up to full). -We have in Poland "Fat Thursday”- I boast, but I knew, that we do not make parades from this reason. After mooring agent transports free from work crew to "Down Town” in heart of carnival. Schools orchestras march in parade, and funny dressed class friends dance into rhythm of carnival music. In front of us passing colorful platforms, showing fantastic world, on one of them even stays small Eiffel Tower - once ruled here Frenchmen. From these vehicles, beautiful dressed up "Princesses” throwing coral bead. I catch some coral beads (once even from smiling policeman). Dressed into coral beads we feel in carnival we fall in rhythm dance. I have my old video camera as usually and I am doing my movie. In front of camera beautiful girls kissing my amused sailors. Crowd dancing singing, girls screaming, in the air flying coral beads and different presents. Everybody fighting for flying presents and dressing into coral beads. Horse Police watching, this time smiling. Parade lasts two hours and disappear how after hitting of magic wand. Suddenly just after parade appears line of garbage trucks, street watering trucks and garbage men, with vacuum cleaners on backs (looking like Martians). In a few moments streets are cleaned, but empty! Yet late transvestite (disguised like Princes) sending us kisses, but other two black guys fighting on the street and shooting guns. One of them falling down and lies in blood - it returns sadness and daily routine. We hide quickly to bar- for small beer, which barman do not want to sell for "Young”(our youngest sailor), and identification card makes him sure, that ‘’Young’ has 21 years and is allowed to drink small beer... That’s the America... In night we arriving to New Orleans- just beginning of "Mardi Gras”, here famous richest and joyful. In New Orleans we berthed in Down Town, discharging next parties of steel products. One "Mardi Gras” parade passing close by our berth, seldom opportunity to see carnival. Usually our ships loading somewhere far away from center of the town, or anchored on the river. Every day evening (during eight days) through city marching 3 ‘’Mardi Gras’’ parades. In each one participates over 20 colored platforms, towed by tractors. Parades passing the streets during four hours playing instruments and dancing. Disguised Princesses throwing from platforms coral beads... People gather on shoulders begging for coral beads, and girls to get more corals showing busts. On one from platforms we perceive advert: ” POLISH PORK” In parades are mainly high schools and universities - orchestras and dancing girls from classes, there are present also military schools and navy. Between them with burning fires walking also poor fellows and collecting thrown for them coins. Three biggest and richest parades are of course in "Mardi Gras’’ -Fat Tuesday, over million people participates in this holiday. After ceremonies cavalcade of private cars (pick-ups) will travel streets families dress up colorfully. Parades of course are finished on "French Quarter”- in French district. There from balconies girls and boys throwing coral beads to the girls on street, which showing busts, also girls on balconies do not to be worse and also showing busts, for this people screaming and giving them in award prize- coral beads. Games lasts to the morning, around bars open, shows (of course striptease with dancing on the pipe), everywhere resounds musician. Here begin own career Luis Armstrong. It is fantastically, but also dangerously - better not walk outside of strongly guarded district "French Quarter”. Every year here is noted about 450 murders!!! I caught kilogram of coral beads (not showing my bust) -my granddaughters will have some to wear!!! We touch to Houston in Texas, where we have to discharge last part of steel and to load wood pulp, with destination to Rouen. Good luck not leaving us we hit exactly on "RODEO PARADE”.... On the "Down Town” streets, between "skyscrapers” rolls over cowboy’s parade. Thousand cowboys ridding horses and on carriages arrived to Houston parades and on RODEO !!! Some groups arrived with 300 cowboys who have spent over 600 kilometers ridding on horses, and driving 20 cowboys carriages during 18 days!!! Through streets riding cowboys, running cowboy’s carriages and rich decorated platforms with beautiful girls, but here nobody throws coral beads. Marching High Schools orchestras are playing, class girls are dancing, but here main attraction are cowboys of course. They came here to fight in RODEO, riding horses, take the bulls on lasso and tie them, rid on crazy bulls and wild mustangs. Next three Saturdays on RODEO they will drive in mad gallop cowboy’s carriages here on RODEO. Tonight cowboys will meets on great "Barbecue under 300 tents (under each one amuses about 100 peoples) grilling mainly of course big T-bone Steaks. They will drink heavily and dance cowboy’s dances. Also we are invited there, under agent’s tent. We were eating, drinking free of charge and we were amused how old cowboys!!! Between tents we were dancing with cowboys dressed up how on old westerns, everybody arte friendly, girls hang on us, and kissing, of course girls screaming to my video camera. Among this thousands cowboys I saw only few blacks... "Beautiful life spends cowboys”..., but sailors more beautiful!!! There was one more surprise waiting in Houston. One day entered to mess room Mexican boy, left leaflets and invited us to church, offering free transportation to trade center. Crew was happy, because it was very far to the city, and taxi cost lot of money. After supper we were packed to small bus, where already were sitting some Arabs. Our driver said, that for moments we will fall to church, and after that he will drive us onto shopping. We agreed did not know what is waiting us, anyway-we thought- it will be okay in Sunday a little pray. But it was different church, called ”Gulf Meadows Church” - one from this crazy American churches, which non-stop are present in television. In entrance they greeted us warmly "Priest” and parishioners. Church inside was like in evangelical churches- behind of Altar was only big white cross. We were invited to reserved benches, and in moments arrived others sailors from Latvia and Colombia, brought by different touts (guides). Mass began "Show (filmed by televisions)”. Around of Altar played orchestra and sang black and white chorus, all parishioners danced clapping hands into rhythm of joyfully music. Religious song’s words were projected on church walls. Every few minutes from parishioners came out an old woman and danced solo in front of Altar... The Bibles were distributed and brochures in Polish language, Russians got in Russian, Colombians in Spanish, and Arabs in Arabian. Russians additionally got earphones - for translation. Most surprised were Arabs (confessor of Allah), they stood frozen not understanding why they were brought here.?... To run away from church it was not possible, because everybody watched us, anyway how to drive away, when church was far way from town? At last starts to pray "Priest”- he was singing and slowly brought faithful into trance. Everybody around us stood with arms up to the sky, some of them crying, others trembling in trance... "Priest” prayed also for sailors, stated that it is not important what faiths and nationalities we are, this church is international - and anyway we will meet once in the one Heaven... He welcomed us, telling what kind of guests we have today in church, we had to stand up and all parishioners greeted us with applauses, and near standing with hand shaking... We did not know what to do; it was stupid for dance in church. Finally we were standing and shaking together with parishioners, anyway I explained myself, that it is not important in which church man is praying- important is to who... They were praying to the same God, only little different... Suddenly "Priest” said. -Today I had vision- nine parishioners from today's mass will pass a miracle. Then he invited to Altar those whose need help. In front of Altar meets many crying and trembling in trance parishioners. "Priest” singing and praying touched their heads, and they fell onto floor... Lucky for them, in second row behind them watched others parishioners, whose were catching them and ling on the floor. This looks incredibly and authentically, nobody could suppose that old grandmothers so good well plays own role. Anyway not all of them fell after touching and also not all were trembling ling on the floor. Our guide explained us, that only deeply believers falling down and trembling. After also "Priest” let himself into trance ling on "Altar” felt in front of him, of course caught in suitable moment by faithful. After few minutes all of them got up and nothing happened to them. If anybody passed miracle? Parishioners returned crying onto own places in benches. "Priest” again was singing with chorus (Alleluia) and starts inviting us for touching – maybe he wanted put us on the floor? In this moment our guides and parishioners tried to push us in front of "Altar”. Here were severely disappointed, because nobody from international sailor's group did not from move from seats- absolutely refusing... Commenced Holy Communion - it was distributed on trays "Wafer”(fragment of cake) and glass of wine. Everybody together with "Priest” have commune, "Wafer” and drunk wine. Now starts culmination of dance and sings, melodies rhythmic and funny, and faces of parishioners were radiant with joy. Everybody was perfectly amused exchanging hand shaking and kisses. It was for sure that this mass made this peoples happy!!! At last for the end between sitting rows make circles basket, in which we also put some dollars. "Priest” once again said what international guests international we have today in church and added, that he prays, this church could be for everybody, and parishioners cooked us big ovation again. At entrance were ling free of charge different brochures and religious videocassettes. All mass lasted not few minutes (how said on beginning our guide), but two hours. Anyway after that he drove us onto shopping’s and after madness in big store, took us back onto the ship. Next day you could hear on the ship " Alleluia”!!! We are sailing again, only loading wood pulp in Pascagoula (Mississippi) and Wilmington N.C. and to Europe - to home!!! Everywhere is well, but at home best!!! Captain W. Grycner