No. 3, July 2002 MV Westerems - Picture taken during rescue boat manouvre Reederei Hans Peterson & Söhne
Introduction Dear reader, The 3 rd issue of has changed its layout to a more colorful style now. After positive feedback from our vessels, we have been able to implement some articles from life onboard now. Thanks for sending us pictures and stories. Your continuation is highly appreciated. Besides this, we would like to use the opportunity to introduce this issue with a short overlook about the situation of the chartermarket overall. After the very difficult situation with a high number of newbuildings entering the market and the even psychological effect of September, 11 th as well as the downtrend of the US economy, presently it looks like the chartermarket becomes a little better. Anyhow, the charter rates are still down on a very low level, but the continuation of the downtrend has been stopped and furthermore we see an slight uptrend within the last few weeks. Nevertheless, it will be a very difficult year 2002 and we do not expect the first quarter of 2003 to be very much better, but being optimistic, the tremendeous rate decrease seems to be stopped presently. Best regards, Stefan Rother This is of course partly influenced by a number of newbuildings being cancelled and no new orders being placed. In addition to that, the shipyards in Poland are facing a difficult situation. Stocznia Stettin went under bankrupcy and Stocznia Gdynia faces several financial problems as well. As of today, the market segment for vessels between 1000 2000 TEU seems to be fairly balanced. According to our information, there are presently no vessels in this segment layed up. 2
New master onboard of MV Westerhamm Cadets from Lithuania Since the 26 th of April 2002, Mr. Stefan Hoppe has taken over the command as master on board of MV Westerhamm. Mr. Stefan Hoppe joined the company early 1998 as 2 nd Mate onboard of MV Westerems. He has been promoted in 1999 as Chief Officer onboard of MV Westerburg. After continuous improvement of skills, the promotion to sail as a master in future has been offered to Stefan Hoppe in late 2001. Besides his high profession and background, Mr. Hoppe is known as a very honourable and reliable person with always a positive personality and a typical Berliner sense of humor. We are wishing Mr. Hoppe always safe journeys and we are looking forward to continuing our close relationship in future. In our last issue, we informed about our activities with the crewing agency Greytimbe out of Lithuania and a visit to the Lithuanian Maritime University. Meanwhile, we developed the cooperation with the University to get junior officers onboard of our vessels. We started with three cadets, which boarded the vessels Westermühlen (Cala Pinar del Rio) and Westerland. The cadets are of different professions; one will be an electronic engineer, one a mechanical engineer, as well as one will be a nautical officer. Remaining onboard for three to four months until school will be open again,, they will gain first seagoing practice. We will report in our next issue. MV Westerhamm berthing at Bristol 3
Bedplate Damages What about the classification societies?? During the year 2000, our company has been effected by bedplate damages of newly delivered Sulzer engines on three vessels. During routine measurement of crankweb deflection at the Port of Kingston by a very considerable engineer a crack of one bearing stool has been found this was the beginning of the very unpleasant story, effecting the vessels Westerems, Westerburg and Westerhamm. After survey of specialists from the insurance companies, engine manufacturers as well as the Classification Society it came out, that the three bedplates were cracked several times and obviously had to be removed and to be changed for new ones completely. This brief outline of the story does of course not show the tremendeous efforts taken by crew, technical inspection as well as shipyard workers and plenty of other persons involved. Finally the ships went back to service latest in February 2001. The really root cause of the problem has been detec by Barbara Peterson at Kiel, the ship ted wrong placed and designed core supports during the casting process of the bearing girders. Core supports normally keep the sand core in place during the casting and melt completely away during the casting process. Due to wrong design with additional black iron pipe (see picture) the core supports did not melt completely and there the cracks started. Simple thing, which caused tremendeous trouble afterwards. Core support in main engine girder But lets see the failures from a different standpoint what about the quality control and furthermore what about the control by the classification surveyors? Important parts like bedplates and corresponding materials have to be checked and approved several times by the classification society before its delivery. Even though here the casting material has been proofed and certified. The individual girder/ or bearing stool has its own certificate and correlating stamp of the Classification Society. Every single document shows that no objections have been found. But how then these misfortune could ever happen?? Meanwhile we raised this question to the Classification Society and we ordered the complete documentation for all three engines including all certificates issued by the foundry at that time from the engine manufacturer. The verification of the documents did show significant differences, which have been not explainable by the Society, so far. This made us believe that some further Sherlock Holmes work could lead us to a more favourable position after all meetings held with the Society in Hamburg were not fruitfull. Investigations about the names of surveyors in Poland were carried out and a visit of an already retired surveyor in Poland took place. Like a puzzle the complete picture of poor or non quality control came out. After confrontation of the Classification with the results of our investigations and the request to inspect the inhouse files by our lawyers, we got the answer, that unfortunately they cannot allow us to inspect the documents due to the fact that the engine manufacturer respectively the shipyard at that time has been the customer but not the shipowner. Something to hide?? After approval by the engine manufacturer we have been allowed to inspect the files in Hamburg in May this year. An what shall we tell you additional certificates for two engines issued in April 2002 have been presented. This has been done in order to highlight the correctness of documents and to show the owner that there is everything correct, was the statement. 4
Additionally, we asked an well known engine specialist and former technical manager of the diesel engine factory Rostock, wether there have been deliveries of girders from Poland to Rostock at that time and wether there has been lack of quality also. After verification of the old files, the reports showed, that 80% of girders delivered from the same foundry Poland were of poor quality or sorted out. Sofar the actual status of investigations. Bearing in mind that the guarantee for the supervision of the classificion society is only 6 months and relevant claims are statute- barred the only way of winning a cort claim is to present that the surveyors made a socalled blind certification and fulfill the status of malicious intent. But anyhow our lawyers will present the results to the Classification Society and are prepared for a court claim. Keep you informed. 5
Crossing-the-line-ceremony on board of MV Westerburg Taking care of old traditions is still modern so happened onboard of MV Westerburg whilst crossing the Äquator recently. Neptune and his helping hands gave an enthusiastic reception for seamen which have not crossed the line previously and baptized them. Special medical treatment for Mr. Ylaya Neptune and the priest were awaiting the seafarers in order to sacrifize them. But before several mithological procedures were necessary. New haircut for Mr. Petzold After suffering quite a while the whole group was baptized and got their Crossing-the-line- Certificate First of all the person to be baptized has to show his utmost respect to Neptune and the Priest, before the procedure starts. Here we can see Mr. Pietsch sitting on his knees showing his respect to the authorities. But anyhow, before getting the baptismal certificate the unusual procedure went on and the aspirants went under a special haircut and got some healthy food to clean themselves. Hope you enjoyed the show!! 6
Drydocking of MV Westerhever MV Westerhever has drydocked for class renewal in June 2002 in Guanzhou, China at Wenchong Shipyard. Mainly overhauls on Hatch covers, and cellguides have been carried out as well as underwater hull painting and hatch coaming modifications. Therefore our Mr. Weigl travelled to China in order to survey and to coordinate works. During their trip to Manila, Mr. Peterson and Mr. Rother managed a stopover in Guanzhou to visit the vessel. Mr. Rother, Mr. Peterson and Capt. Bültemann entering the drydock. Westerhever entering the drydock at Wenchong Shipyard The hull and propeller have been inspected by the representatives of the German Lloyd and class has been confirmed. MV Westerhever was supposed to leave the drydock on the 5 th of July 2002 in order to sail to Hong Kong to start a new charter party for CMA/ CGM. After some difficulties with the start up of works, respectively to manage the chinese mentality of slow steaming, Mr. Weigl managed a way to speed up works. After the drydock has been emptied, Mr. Peterson and Mr. Rother together with Capt. Bültemann and Mr. Weigl went in the dock for an outside inspection. Due to the fact, that no rubber boots of european adult size were available, they cared for some unintentional humor of the chinese workers. Equipped with plastic bags around the shoes as water and mud protection, they entered the drydock. Improvisation means everything, before getting wet feet. Capt. Bültemann after Propeller Inspection 7
Visit of Crewing Agency Hanseatic in Manila After visiting Westerhever in China, Mr. Bernd Peterson, Mr. Manthe and Mr. Rother went for a visit of Hansatic to Manila. A very warm welcome has been made by Mrs. Rosalinda Baumann, the director of Hanseatic Manila. After visting the impressive and well organized office facilities of Hanseatic, we got some hours to discuss about crewing matters and processes or regulations, which could effect crewing more in future like visa structure and STCW regulations. Whilst meeting with Mrs. Rosalinda Baumann, her daughters and her son in law, we took the opportunity to meet as well some joining crew members. Some minutes later another, well known gentleman showed up Chief Cook Mr. William Llorka, ready for joining the MV Westerburg in Peru totally recovered after his disease, which had causes seven weeks in Hospital in Germany. It was really a good thing to see him recovered and fit for employment. Having sofar not been personally known by Mrs. Baumann, it has been a good opportunity to visit Hanseatic for Mr. Manthe and Mr. Rother. Personal relations will help to continue the close cooperation between the companies. After the meeting Mr. Peterson and Mr. Rother departed back to Germany, whilst Mr. Manthe travelled to Indonesia to visit the Westermoor in Tanjung Pelepas. Post Secrets Human beings sometimes develop some strange attitudes. Neighbours and former best friends suddently start fighting each other caused by minor things and adults went back to behave like childs. Therefore it is obviously, that in a close community like onboard a ship even sometimes strange things happen. So one of our vessels reported that the private area of some crewmembers were not respected by others by means of reading private telefaxes or e-mails. Not enough to read them, furthermore the adressee of the message has been asked to explain the contend of the message. To be a real noisy- parker is one thing, but to effect the private atmosphere is really not acceptable. Noisy-parkers should consider to be treated the same way we would wonder whether this would be accepted by them. Mrs. Erika Baumann of Hansatic Manila Private e-mail, telefaxes, letters or whatever are only for the personaly adressee which should be quite clear for everybody. This is not only company policy, but also normal behaviour between collegues. Mr. Tan of Hansatic Manila 8
A lazy guide at Cape Town Funny Tale Picture taken during berthing of Westerhamm in Cape Town A slightly more than middle-aged couple were out for a drive through the countryside. They reached a familiar spot in the road, and the wife says, "Sweetheart, let's do the same thing we did here forty years ago!" The husband stops the car. His wife backs against the fence, and he immediately jumps her like a bass on a june bug. They make love like never before. She was SCREAMING, and GYRATING, and SHAKING uncontrollably. When it was all over, much to her husband's surprise, she passed out cold. After he had revived her, and got her back into the car, the husband, quite astounded, says, "Darlin', you sure never moved like that forty years ago... or any time since that I can remember." The woman, gasping for breath, finally able to speak, says: "Honey, forty years ago that @#!!*& fence wasn't ELECTRIFIED!" 9
Historical fleet M.V. "Adele" 1906-14.9.1950 Cargo Logger - 110 GRT / 150 tdw, 1906 C. Lühring, Hammelwarden, ex Fish Logger - "NANNY". 1950 bought by Captain Hans Peterson. M.V. "MAGDALENE" (1) 14.9.1950-10.1954 Cargo Logger - 110 GRT / 150 tdw, 1906 C. Lühring, Hammelwarden, 1951 lengthened, now 154 GRT / 230 tdw, ex - ADELE, ex - NANNY. 1954 sold to Swedish buyers. M.V. "MAGDALENE" (2) 13.12.1954-10.1961 Singledecker - 283 GRT / 410 tdw, 1954 Werft Nobiskrug, Rendsburg, 1956 lengthened and deck raised, now 368 GRT / 650 tdw, 1961 sold to German buyers. M.V. "MAGDALENE" (3) 23.3.1962-1971 Quarterdecker - 499 GRT / 826 tdw, 1962 Büsumer Schiffswerft, 1971 sold to German buyers. M.V. "WESTERMOOR" (1) 29.4.1965-18.2.1975 Quarterdecker - 499 GRT / 1,068 tdw, 1965 Schiffswerft Hugo Peters, Wevelsfleth, 1975 sold. To be continued... 10