Internship in Lunar Shipping

Hello, my name is Wong. I am a student pursuing Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and Maritime Transportation in University Malaysia Terengganu. In the past six month, I have undergo internship in Lunar Shipping Sdn Bhd. For the first two month, I have been placed at Lunar Jetty and assigned with some general works. I have learnt welding the metal plate for use as barge wall. For the first time I found welding was difficult and hot sparks can hurt you if not careful. So, before carried out welding must wear appropriate protection outfit such as glove and welding goggle. Besides that, I also carried out chipping the rusted metal plate of barge before I can painting it. Although all these works look like easy but I take this as my learning opportunity.

I practiced to supervise and monitor loading operation to ensure that the types of cargo and quantity that has been loaded into truck. Every movement was recorded into the form. After finish loading, the form was passed to my jetty supervisor to verify and stamp.

Lunar shipping also provide generator (Gen-set) rental services. Gen-set normally rent by construction site to provide electricity supply for night operation. I have been assigned to service generator with engineer at UEM Construction site and also Setia International Construction site.

From the third month, I has been given opportunity to sign on one of the Lunar Shipping harbor tug which operation at Penang port. On board training concentrate on the building of an adequate foundation for proficiency in seamanship. I perform navigational watch, radio watch, mooring and unmooring, bunker of fresh water, bunker of fuel, rope and knot, operation to berth or un-berth vessel. For the first few day during mooring and unmooring operation, I only acted as an observer. Over a number of mooring operations, I become more familiar with the mooring ropes, procedures for safe mooring operations and a better understanding of the dangers involved.

In everyday life on board, knots can be very useful. Selecting the appropriate knot and secure it correctly are valuable skills that can be apply during every operation. I have practised different kind of knots during the period of training on board such as clove hitch, bowline, eye splice, timber hitch and etc. After particular work on deck or various operation of towing or pushing, some unnecessary things, sea water with mud will be generated on board the tugboat. Thus, housekeeping is frequently carried out to maintain the deck in clean condition. Some precaution must be taking into consideration such as be aware of existing obstructions and avoid slippery on the floor. After particular loading and unloading of cargoes or operation of barge, some unnecessary things or remaining of cargo will leave on barge. Thus, barge cleaning need to carry out to maintain the barge clean and prevent corrosion. Barge should be maintain in good and clean condition for next operation.

During the ship sailing from Port Klang to Penang Port, I have been given opportunity to navigate the ship using aqua pilot system. During the period of navigational watch on the bridge, I practiced to maintain a proper look out all the times due regard to all dangers and any risk of collision. I also practiced calculation of distance, running fix, course made good, estimated time arrival and etc.

My routine duty for everyday also include the radio watch (channel 20) on the bridge. During my radio watch duty, I need to take and record order from Penang Traffic and Pilot Station. The information that I need to record are the order time, pilot, ship, wharf, time to start and stop engine. The Penang Traffic and Pilot station usually in inform the harbour tugs one hour prior the arrival of the ship so we could have enough time to standby at designated location.

Daily operation hour, fuel consumption and remaining of bunker (R.O.B) will be reported to Penang Control Centre to ensure all tugboats have enough fuel oil for operation. If the R.O.B is low, we need to bunker fuel oil at shell terminal. During bunker, all crews are require to perform highest level of safety and prevention of oil pollution.

Fresh water is very important for daily consumption such as drinking, washing, cooking, etc. AB need to check the fresh water tank and bunker of fresh water is carried out at port terminal.

 

Harbour tug daily operation will follow the work flow below. We received order from pilot station. When the pilot calling, AB on radio duty will record down the order in specific order from. The order include the time of order, ship name and pilot in charge for operation. Usually, pilot will inform harbour tug one hour prior operation. Once order received, AB inform Captain for operation and inform chief engine to start engine. Before conduct any operation, AB will wear proper safety attire such as coverall, safety helmet, safety shoes and glove. When the tug boat engine started, AB unmooring the forward and aft mooring rope. Then, go to the winch to slack out the towing rope with required amount of length. AB will connect the rope to vessel engage in berthing or un-berthing process. After finish operation, the rope was disconnected and need to heave up quickly by winch. Tugboat then go back to base and mooring to jetty, after that finish with engine. Captain or chief officer will report for operation hour for every movement.

My outcome or achievement through Industrial Training are shipboard familiarization. After few weeks onboard, I familiar with operation, understand where store paints, rope, chain and etc. I gained understanding, acquired knowledge, developed skills and experiences. I learnt how to drop and heave up anchor, voyage planning process, replacement of fender, chipping and painting process and others. I built an adequate foundation for proficiency in deck maintenance. After undergoing Industrial Training, I gained experience and fundamental professional skills related to my field of study. I also able to apply theories learned in lectures to the actual workplace as well as form and preserve ties with professional individuals in their respective field. I have been demonstrated my professional skills to improve my chances of securing work upon graduation.