Hubby and Wifey's Blog

1 Feb 2009 as our Captain discuss to the crew about the transiting the Gulf of Aden for the third time and hoping with convoy. Then he just tells to the crew that he don’t know if there will be a convoy or not. Our company told us that we will be joining the convoy of Russian war ship Vinogradov 572 then after a couple of hours the company tells us that we will be joining the convoy of Indian warship instead. All of us are confuse on what will happen to us when transiting the Gulf of Aden. We were just like a robots just to take command even he don’t like the command. All of us are just hopping that we will be safe while transiting the Gulf of Aden. 2 Feb 2009 early in the morning I was duty at the bridge and our captain told us that there is a convoy lead by the Indian warship. The convoy will be leaving at around 2100 hrs in point A in position 11-51.7 N 045-00.0 E.

2 Feb 2009 at 1200 hrs while we are entering the Gulf of Aden (from Suez Canal) we see the war ship 572 which is the Russian war ship that we will be joining the convoy. As our captain information the 573 warship will be delayed for 24 hours due to patrolling the area but the war ship 572 was just on time. We are at 12 knots speed then the Russian warship call us in VHF channel 16. That was 2^nd officer watch and I was just listening on the conversation. The war ship asks if we need some assistance transiting the Gulf of Aden. Then as per Master advice we will be joining the Indian Warship convoy. So 2^nd officer told to the Russian warship its ok sir we will be joining the Indian warship convoy at around 2100 hrs at Point A. Then the Russian warship replied ok ruby express incase you need some assistance you can call us and we will be helping you. At the first e-mail to us we are advice to join the Russian navy but there will be some delayed. If we join the Russian navy here is the list of ship that will join the Russian Warship convoy. MV Marvel, MT Chemtrans Christian, MV Norgas Alameda, MV Elands, MV Tuna Queen, MV Kuanyin. Here are some warships that will patrol the area of Gulf of Aden. HS Psara F-454, FGS Floreal F-730, HMS Northumberland F-238. Different countries are helping merchant ship to pass the Gulf of Aden safely. 2100 hrs we arrive at point A where the Indian Navy meeting point for Convoy going East in position 11-51.7 N 045-00.0 E. All ships that will join the convoy as requested to maintain the speed 12 knots. There are 4 ship who will join the Indian warship convoy they are MT Sanko Innovator a LNG tanker, MT Vinashin Atlantic a Tanker Vessel, Hugli Spirit A Tanker Vessel, And our ship MT Ruby Express tanker vessel. We are request to form a square formation 2 miles away from each other and the warship will the last on the formation and she will observe the 4 ship. Of course we are requested to maintain a sharp lookout and inform the Indian warship if we see a suspicious craft near us. To tell you frankly the Indian warship is the most dangerous warship patrolling Gulf of Aden. They open fire on 2 pirates boats that make the boat vanish in the surface of the sea. In that case if the pirate aboard Indian ships they make the Indian crew suffers. As per relayed story of the Filipino manned vessel that caught by the pirates of Gulf of Aden. The crew have a freedom to move (if the crew are Filipinos), Sometimes the pirate play some games to the Filipino like table tennis, Card games, Filipino crew are friendly even they are caught by pirates. As you notice almost all the international ships are manned by Filipino crew and Filipino crew are the highest pointers in population in shipping business. But one thing are missing… other country send there warship to support there seaman but the most requested crew (Filipino) don’t send the Warship to help there kababayan. It’s a shame that other country help Filipino pass safely in Gulf of Aden…. Why we don’t send our Warship to help our kababayan seaman?? Beside seaman are the Dollar earners of the Country (palagi nalang walang budjet).

3 Feb 2009 at 0900 hrs the Indian navy start there scanner. Something is not right. She makes 17 knots (full speed) just to be in front of the convoy. After a couple of minutes there helicopter patrol the area. As we observe our surroundings we see a suspicious mother ship of the pirate. The crew of the Indian Navy was on stand by and the entire vessel join the convoy was alerted. Luckily we pass the suspicious mother ship safely. 1215 hrs I spotted 2 small boats bearing 042 deg and 5 miles away from us in position 12-47.2 N 047-58.0 E. I call the Indian warship and inform them that I spotted 2 boats with 4 persons onboard. The warship informs all ships must maintain our course and speed while they will approach the suspicious boats. As the news on all ship’s e-mail the 2 boats that I’ve seen was a pirate and if we don’t join the convoy surely we will caught by pirate and spend a week or months on Somalia with the pirates. 1400 hrs MT Vinashin Atlantic manned by Russian officers and Filipino Crew could not maintain the 12 knots speed. They loss there engine (Engine breakdown) and request some assistance from the Indian navy. The Indian Navy told the Vinahins Atlantic that she could not leave the convoy perhaps if she will need assistance just call the Indian Navy and there helicopter will assist them. 1500 hrs Vinashin Atlantic recover her engine and precede sailing at 10 knots speed.

04 Feb 2009 in position 13-44.5 N 051-02.6 E Our vessel is clear from Dangerous sector but still we are in the vicinity of Gulf of Aden. We still maintain a sharp look out for any suspected ship. 1200 H we already out of the New MSPA area and we proceed with full speed going to our destination. Thanks for the convoy of Indian Navy and the 4 of us pass safe in transiting the Gulf of Aden.