Stat Update [Our Ref:EXE26617]

There is some talk about a new year eve celebration onboard..lets see what happens..

Stat Update-Friday 23rd December-2230 Hrs [Our Ref:EXF09748]

The Emergency drills went on well today. When I came up for morning watch today, I found that it was still dark, due to the advancing of clocks yesterday. Because of this, the drill was started a little late. First we had a tabletop drill(a exercise where we simply discuss what we will do in case of a particular emergency). Then we had the fire drill. As usual, we assumed that the fire was at a particular location(in today's drill, the galley-galley is the place where the food is prepared). Then two people put on fire resistant suits and got ready as they would during a real fire. We also prepared some fire hoses(long strong rubber pipes which can transport sea water to extinguish the fire).
Then we had the lifeboat drill. It is still cold outside and so we did not spend much time explaining the various procedures involved in launching the lifeboat.
After that, I spent the rest of the afternoon ensuring that everything was put back in its proper place. Im the person incharge of all the safety related equipments. So I had to make sure that before I stopped working today, everything is per normal situations.
Then I watched some episodes of a TV serial called Grey's anatomy. Its about 5 doctors new out of college and in a hospital. Currently Im on watch, but then, there is no traffic as its the pacific ocean. We had to stop for an hour because of some minor engine problem, but now, we are going again at full ahead speed.

What I watched today [Our Ref:EXE08751]

Grey's Anatomy-Season 2-Episodes-Its the End of the World& As we know it.

I have been watching Grey's Anatomy recently and the two episodes that I watched today were by far the best I have seen. In this episode, a patient shot with a bazooka is admitted to the hospital. Alex(one of the interns at Seattle Grace hospital and a lead character) later finds out that the ammunition was still active as there was no explosion. The entire hospital goes on Code 'Black' and they call the bomb squad. The explosives are successfully removed from the patient's body later on, but then, the explosive goes off in the bomb squad's possession and kills the leader and a few other people.
A few things stood out prominently in this episode. Fear of death is something not all of us experience. Some lives are eventful and some lives are dreary. The episode above shows reactions of various people when encountered with such an experience. One decides to run, one decides to do what he thought he should have done long time back, one decides to forget differences and reach out and one simply decides to ignore that such an experience happens at all.
Ultimately it all ends with the assurance that its good to be alive. I believe its important that we know this, because, we are, comparing to some other sad human being at some remote location, having a better day.

Stat Update [Our Ref:EXE01650]

23rd December 1300 hours.

Today the ship clock onboard was advanced again. We are now 15 hours ahead of UTC and 9.5 hours ahead of Indian Time. Tomorrow, its 23rd again since we are compensating for crossing the date line. Such frequent change of time is common on this kind of route when the ship crosses the Pacific ocean.
It snowed today, just like yesterday. The temperature has gotten better, thanks to some sunshine in the morning.
Tomorrow we have a Emergency drill on the ship. During this drill, we assume that we are in emergency and act accordingly. First, we assume that there is a fire at a certain point on the ship. We then designate someone to wear protective clothing and carry fire hoses and extinguish the fire. Then we assume that we are going to abandon ship and then try and board our lifeboats. After that, we do the drill for Oil Spill and Man overboard emergencies.
The drill is always a long day, particularly for me, because I have to make sure the equipments used during the drill are put back properly in its place. This kind of drill happens once every month. I will let you know what happenned during the drill tomorrow.

Stat. Update

Here it snowed very heavily last night. The snow was very beautiful. The monkey island(the roof of the bridge) is fully covered with snow. The sun also shines occasionally, but only for a short duration. Outside temperature is around 3 degrees here. The weather has started to get a little bad, but then, I know from the forecasts that it is going to revert back to normal very soon.
Everybody here is getting ready to celebrate Christmas. The common rooms have been decorated with shiny objects and the usual decorative items related to Christmas. The crew's saloon even has a Christmas tree. Everyone onboard is a tad bit lazy thanks to the holiday mood.
I watched Velayutham yesterday. Its the usual Actor Vijay movie, with a lot of references to his political views. Today Im planning to watch 'Mayakkam enna' starring Dhanush.

Stat. Update [Our Ref:EXD28520]

Saturday 17th Dec 1830
Drifting near Korean peninsula

The ship Im on is now drifting a few miles from Korea. Looks like its going to be a while before we start our engines since we are way too early. Kwangyang is the last port before the next Pacific crossing. Can get some breath back then..

Stat Update [Our Ref:EXD19718]

Saturday 10th Dec. 0800
Hong Kong Anchorage.

Right now at Hong Kong Anchorage. Arrival Hong Kong has been delayed and further, has spoilt all my plans about going ashore. Vasanth is suggesting that we go ashore after 12 just to the nearby departmental store. I like the plan.

News Reel [Our Ref:EXD05996]

WOMEN CANNOT PUNISHED FOR ADULTERY: INDIAN SUPREME COURT

I read an article on the Ocean News(A newsletter being delivered to the ship through the ship's email system-common for all) about how the Supreme court has ruled that women cannot be punished for adultery.

"The Supreme Court today said a woman in an illicit relationship cannot be punished for adultery despite being an abettor in the crime though the man is liable for punishment".

The Supreme court quotes Section 497, which, by definition, applies only for men. I guess this was made to protect the interests of women coerced into a relationship by threat, but this hardly seems the case in the above condition. It is the woman who has moved this to the Supreme court and she has questioned the government's right to file charges against her and not moved to nullify the charges against her.
I think it would have made a huge uproar all across India, if a man had done the same, trying to justify adultery the way she did. But then, the world is almost always biased, sometimes in favour and sometimes against, both men and women. In fact, I think it is biased for everyone on some particular circumstances and its better to join the majority and call it fair instead of fighting it.

News Reel [Our Ref:EXD04761]

CHINESE ANTI SHIP MISSILES A NEW THREAT: INDIAN NAVY CHIEF ADMIRAL

Chinese are building weapons as if they are preparing for a global war. Im sure that if they see that the moment is appropriate(with Uncle Sam looking somewhere else and Buddy Russia just turning a blind eye towards them) they will engulf the neighbouring countries without second thought. Taiwan, Japan, Korea..Beware. Bangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam..lucky the Indians are between you and the namesake Republic's army.

Stat. Update [Our Ref:EXD21006]

The same old breakfast again..And for the past one week with no yoghurts too..why does the cook always not buy
the good stuff in large numbers, but only the cheap stuff...Skipped the special dinner yesterday too...I was looking
forward to the garlic bread..

Stat. Update [Our Ref:EXD31486]

Doing 22 knots speed now...Got to say that this ship really vibrates when it is racing across...
Weather has improved since yesterday. Has decreased to half of yesterday's winds...

Left Yokohama [Our Ref:EXE02421]

Just left Yokohama port..heavy rains previously and now strong wind..
Fortunately not much traffic...