Written by Kylla Marie Candelario, Deck Cadet
On February 16 at 10:15 LT, an alarm indicating an emergency sounded on board Bow Clipper. The crew proceeded with the emergency maneuvering and emergency steering drills: the bridge was assumed to have lost control of the main engine telegraph. All four engineers on the ship proceeded to the Engine Control Room to do the maneuvering, while the deck and engine personnel tested the steering equipment. The drill was completed at 11:00 LT.
The monthly drill for the rescue and recovery of persons from the water followed the emergency steering and maneuvering. The man overboard (MOB) boat was lowered with four people inside—Able Seaman, Third Engineer, Second Officer and Chief Officer—who were all wearing life jackets and helmets to carry out the rescue. Since they were the ones ordered to rescue the people at sea, they also had the necessary equipment with them. The MOB boat was tested and maneuvered by the appointed person, while the accommodation ladder was also tested and found to be in good working order.
The volunteers who offered to be rescued—two Ordinary Seamen, one Wiper, a Third Officer, and Deck and Engine Cadets—enthusiastically jumped one by one, rather thrilled by the seven-meter freeboard and very eager about the activity. Due to the MOB boat's limited seating capacity, they were individually saved after recovery, and returned to deck by climbing the accommodation ladder. After rescuing all those who went overboard, the rescue team returned to the ship's starboard side to secure the MOB boat. Everyone who participated in the drill expressed satisfaction with how the activity turned out.
The activity concluded that the MOB boat is in good condition and available for use in the event of unforeseen circumstances. This is due to the regular maintenance and the ship’s adherence to monthly drills and training sessions under the management and direction of the ship's captain, Captain Luisito Cantona. The crew is likewise prepared to face any emergency situation.
As Canadian basketball coach Steve Nash once said: “You have to rely on your preparation. You got to really be passionate and try to prepare more than anyone else and put yourself in a position to succeed, and when the moment comes, you got to enjoy, relax, breathe and rely on your preparation so that you can perform and not be anxious or filled with doubt.”
