Loose containers at sea - SCARY

[Manie B]

this video is of a ship losing very large containers overboard in bad weather

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmXe0...eature=related

towards the end of the video you can hear the crew joking about something "very expensive"

if anybody can understand the language please tell us what they are saying
because it seems like they think this is funny
where do you think they are
i am shitting myself

[gonzo]

That is really sloppy seamanship. It is apalling that they were not secured properly and then the captain doesn't do anything but laugh.

[marshmat]

I have seen some of these containers that are in seriously bad shape, the connector points being rusted out to the point where the latches could easily rip right through the steel.

I've heard that they're supposed to be inspected now and then, but rust can easily outrun a weld inspector....

[daiquiri]

It sounds like russian to me. We have few russian people at the forum, maybe they could translate.
As for the laughter at the end - I see it more as a nervous, liberatory laugh. Yes, containers were gone but at least they didn't have to fear anymore for the ship's stability, structural damages and, ultimately, for their faith... They've probably been shitting their pants for many long minutes (or hours?) before the whole thing was over.

[Fanie]

I suppose the containers sinking is one thing, but I think what Manie is worried about are the floating ones.
Be real fun crashing into one of those, and yes, it would be at night

[troy2000]

Looks to me like the guys on the bridge had a limited set of options: they could laugh, or they could cry. And in a situation like that, there isn't that big a gap between the two. Either one is venting tensions.

[masalai]

And I think one said, in English, something like 'the beer would be very expensive' at that port/destination 'for a while', so I guess they were beer brewing stainless steel vats that would probably float for some time until spotted and salvaged?....

[Fanie]

Easy to find the floating containers Mas, just follow the trail of damaged boats

[daiquiri]

Originally Posted by masalai

I guess they were beer brewing stainless steel vats that would probably float for some time until spotted and salvaged?....

Yes, unless they've had some hatch left open, in which case... the beer in that place will keep being considered a luxury good for some time.

Manie, maybe you should see this as a good business opportunity in the beer import-export sector. Just find out what was the destination port of that ship. I have a friend who runs a brewery - together we can make a lots of money on this story.
We just need to convince those russian fellows to drop few more brewing vats in the sea during the next delivery...

[Sinclair D-R]

That is british humor, Fanie!

Seriously! what can be done besides avoiding shipping lanes and keeping a sahrp watch at all times?
Ideas?
Sinclair

[daiquiri]

Originally Posted by Sinclair D-R

Seriously! what can be done besides avoiding shipping lanes and keeping a sahrp watch at all times? Ideas?

Stainless steel cans of that size should be highly reflective to radar beams, so keep the radar turned on and anti-collision alarm too...

I might be wrong here but a Coast Guard airplane equipped with a maritime surveillance radar (ISAR perhaps?) should be able to localize these objects pretty easily, if the area of research is correctly identified. Anyone here involved in SAR operatons, who might confirm or deny that?

[Fanie]

You could fit an echo sounder. Problem is you may not know from which direction you can get hit Is that Brittish humour also ?

If you have a cat you may need to fit more than one echo sounder. If it's big enough to detect it could cause damage. Rule whales and rocks out as well but be nice to see where you should throw for the fish.

Question is who's going to man this thing. If you are brisking ahead full steam you may get the warning just in time to brace for the bump. Grab the beer so it won't spill...

[Sinclair D-R]

Thanks for the observation Daiquiri,

So radar and anti-collision alarm are both "must have", i reckon;
no short cut on these pieces of equipment?

So much for my KIS principle ruling a low key, low tech power cat!

Safety first!
Sinclair

[daiquiri]

Originally Posted by Fanie

Grab the beer so it won't spill...

It could surely become a turning point in your life. All of a sudden you would start hating everything related to beer, cans, breweries and similar.

A thing you might consider unthinkable right now.

[daiquiri]

Originally Posted by Sinclair D-R

So much for my KIS principle ruling a low key, low tech power cat!

Well, that's not really some big amount of technology nowadays...
I would consider it almost essential, if you are navigating by night or across commercial lanes.