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