$eafarer’s Journal

07/17/2026

06/29/2026

Viking Vila Cruise ship 🚢

06/28/2026

Very Poor Condition of Scupper Plugs

-During my first bunkering operation on my first contract, I noticed that several scupper plugs were already damage and some deck drain holes were not plug at all, In addition the vessel did not have enough scupper plugs to cover every drain during the operation.

Risks it poses
-Oil spills may not be contained on deck and can flow directly overboard through the deck drains.
-Pollution of the marine environment, which may result in severe fines and legal consequences.
-Non-compliance with Marpol Annex | and the vessels Safety Management System/SMS
-Increase risk of Port State Control deficiencies and detention
-Damage to the companies’s reputation and possible financial losses due to clean up costs and penalties
-Unsafe working conditions caused by slippery decks contaminated with oil
-Extra workload to the Crew

Bonus Consequence - Flight details may come soon 😅

Corrective Action
-Informed my Superiors - 2nd and C/E
-Measured all deck drain openings to ensure the correct scupper plug sizes could be ordered
-Submitted the required measurement for procurement
-Scupper plugs have now been ordered and approved.

*A very simple issue but can have serious consequences

06/28/2026

Tourists: “Wow! This is incredible!” 🤩

Seafarers: “Just another Monday.” 😂⚓

06/28/2026

HATLAPA L50 Main starting Air Compressor
Troubleshooting and Maintenance

-After a scheduled maintenance of concentric Valves
-During testing, Alarm of compressor fail activated
-Run again to see whats Going On
-Found out that pressure build up in stage 2 cylinder is high
-Cylinder no.2 was opened and found out a little damage in Piston crown and noticed the concentric valves are turning which is not suppose to be happening,

ACTION MADE
-Open crankcase cover to see wheres the crack part of the piston crown goes
-Upon opening found out that the new oil becomes black
-Oil was drained completely and inside crankcase was cleaned thouroughly
-I overhauled concentric valves myself and replaced inside parts,
-Pulled out piston to be changed
-Check connecting Rod upper and lower bearings

Parts replacement
-replaced Piston with new piston rings
-replaced Conn.rod bearing

Assembly
-Install bearings carefully
-Install new Piston assembly to Conn.rod
-Tighten with specified torque according to manual
-Install back newly overhauled concentric Valves
-Always put oil to the Cylinder liner during piston installation.
-Always check / rotate the fan blades to feel smooth rotation
-Check play of the bearings - must have
-Fill up new oil and close crankcase covers

Start up
-During the very first start up - only start for a second just to confirm everything is ok- No unusual banging or strange noise
-then can start again 10seconds duration- if everthing is ok - start again until solenoid vales will close and can now see pressure in the gauges, must not exceed required pressures indicated in the gauge,
- after 1 min - put switch in manual - open again crankcase covers to see oil quality - and check bearing play again - if all is good
- start again for 5 mins - and same procedure must be done until can reach 10 mins. without any problem
-until then you can put it in service but with proper monitoring - dont leave compressor unattended from
the first start of service - it may run up to 20mins and anything can happen.
- If the first service run has been completed succesfully you can leave it in service

-Recommended not to put in service if Engine Room is unmanned for the whole night - can be service again tomorrow if E/R is already manned.

06/28/2026

👌

06/28/2026

❤️

06/28/2026

06/28/2026

A peaceful day here in Amsterdam