British Trader in the Caribbean
by Captain Dave Pegg; 30 November 2006.
Since I re-joined the British Trader for my sixth trip onboard we have remained in Trinidad acting as reserve for the terminal. There are lots of new faces to learn since I was last onboard, with a few extra for training and gas experience and a few newly promoted officers.
Whilst at anchor, everyone is familiarising themselves with all the equipment and systems onboad. Some of the questions I have been asked have made me realize that I should re-familiarize myself too!
Since the beginning of November we have had our annual surveys carried out by Lloyds Register on behalf of the Isle of Man flag.
These surveys were closely followed by an internal audit by BP Shipping which consists of checking and assessing all the procedures and records onboard are maintained as part of the company's quality assurance system. Both inspections were passed with flying colours!
Apart from familiarizing themselves with the equipment and systems, there have been a couple of runs ashore for some members of the crew and a charity horse racing night in benefit of "The Wooden Spoon Society". This is a rugby society that supports mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. The night was very successful as you will see in the accompanying report from DKCAD MacDara Breathnach.
We have started to make preparations for Christmas and have made our shopping lists of all the foods and trimmings we would like to make our tropical celebration as good as possible.
Isle of Man ship flag
For a ship to be registered in the Isle of Man it must be satisfactorily inspected/surveyed by a surveyor from the Administration prior to acceptance for registration.
The Marine Administration has its own team of professional and highly trained surveyors who conduct all the inspections on ships proposed for registry. Surveyors regularly travel to all major ports and generally an inspection can be arranged to suit a ship's schedule at any time provided the Marine Administration has enough notice.
Lloyds are one company that carry out these surveys on behalf of the Isle of Man flag.