Unexpected Activities on Board 

Besides taking shore excursions some of the extra things you get to do on a cargo ship are:

• Visiting the bridge and chatting with the Captain 
• Being on the bridge when the pilot is there and finding out lots of interesting things about the Port
• Watching the arrival of the pilot by helicopter and by launch.

• Watching the cargo being loaded and unloaded was one of the unexpected delights of this trip. It was fascinating watching these activities. Also realizing how dangerous the wharf labourers job is especially in windy weather.

Lifeboat practice on the Cape Don was even fun. As you can see from the photo below the latest type of lifeboat is used, when released it would plunge into the ocean. A real practice experience would be being in the boat when it is released. I tried to talk the Captain into a practice release but he wouldn't be in it.

• Visiting the engine room when the ship was going was one of the other highlights. The engine is actually as high as a three storey house! We were given ear muffs to wear as the noise in the engine area is excruciatingly loud. Even in the computer operated area the noise is loud. The whole ship is controlled by the computer room. Cargo weight is recorded and loading arranged, especially as much of the cargo is very heavy. Water usage, garbage, sewerage and fuel are all organised by computer computations.

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