BY LIVETT MYRNE COMFORT
LOCAL Seafarers here in the Solomon Islands, have a lot of fascinating stories to share. A simple, yet interesting seaman story is an account from Marine engineer, Alick Suiga.
Suiga recalled a challenging time he had experienced while on the seas of Malaita Province as Chief Engineer onboard the vessel, Small Mala.
As he had pointed out, it seems like a small problem with the main engine’s cooling pump, but as dirt from the ocean was gradually sucked up by the suction and jammed the pumping system’s hose pipe, it had ended up congested at the Impeller and caused it to worn out.
Suiga said, prior to a voyage a ship must check to make sure all spare parts are available to prepare for the journey. That is not only a prime requirement from the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority SIMA but is necessarily important.
But during that trip from Small Malaita to Honiara, he said, the ship had no extra hose and impeller onboard.
“I have no spare impeller, but luckily we have a portable water pump on board that we’re using for washing on the ship.
“I took out the hose from the portable water pump and connected the inlet and outlet to the engine cooling pump, it has the same function so it worked.” “During such challenge times, you have to think of ideas.” He said.
He said it took him about 30 minutes to fix the problem and continue on to Honiara Port. when they reached Honiara, the ship ceased its usual schedule and did not allow passengers on board.
Recently, he explained during an interview onboard Landing Craft Ocean Mary at Gizo wharf, that he’s engaged by the vessel’s management to meet SIMA’s manning requirement.
“I don’t really work for any ship now, they called me only to meet the manning requirement. SIMA is now strict with manning of ships.”
Suiga is the local chief engineer on LC Ocean Mary, the other one is a foreigner. Recently, this month he’s with the Landing craft, in order to meet the marine requirements for a western Solomons trip.
Meanwhile Nicky Dauga a local Engineer on a sister freight vessel the LC Easy Line also mentioned occurrences of that sort at sea, mainly due to a lot of plastics floating in the ocean.
He pointed out that while a ship is in the ocean, the motorized cooling pump draws water through the suction to cool the engine. Pressure from the suction can also suck in debris such as plastics floating in the ocean, and when plastics and other debris reach the impeller, they stacked up there and jammed the impeller.
As a result, the impeller is not free to reach the maximum rotating rate, in order to pump in enough water to cool the engine. And in such an incidence, the impeller can be damaged by congestion of debris and the pressure exerted on it during a voyage.
“Plastic can cause damage at sea” Dauga repeated.
In relation, at the Western Solomons Headquarters Gizo, a group of like-minded Women called Plastic Wise Gizo, who are environmentally conscious are finding ways to reduce plastic waste and raise awareness on the litter issue. Plastic Wise Gizo also work together with the worldwide fund for nature, WWF which also has an office in the Town.
In June last year, Plasticwise Gizo facilitated a Waste Management Awareness, emphasising Environmental Education and the three Rs, REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLING in Munda.
“Plasticwise Gizo really appreciate WWF Solomon Islands for the support behind these community outreach programmes.” A social Media statement from Plasticwise Gizo reads.
Well returning to our main character Mr Suiga, he served in 20 plus vessels with the Marine Fleet, plus others owned by private companies.
He also spoke of Renbel and Temotu as the most challenging places he’d been to. On one occasion, he was in Bellona during an early stage of a cyclone, so his ship cannot follow the usual route back to Guadalcanal, and no seaman would be too reckless to do that.
“We followed the Fairwinds to Santa Ana, and take shelter at Star Harbour in the Makira Ulawa province.” He recalled. That’s the only way, as we cannot return to Guadalcanal.”
However, he said the most challenging seas in the Solomon Islands are in Temotu Province, with heavy high swells.
The experienced Engineer also recalled the longest trip he had taken, which was during a tour with the former Governor-General Sir George Lepping.
The tour was from Auki to Sikaiana Islands in the Malaita Province, and then a direct route to Lord Howe Islands, on MV Belama.
“Belama was a quality ship,” he said. the GG just mixed with us in the Ship during the tour, he’s a simple man, we need that kind of leader.”
Suiga advises, encourages and inspires apprentice engineers to always stay focused, and utilize their time to learn the trade from superiors. Not only that but to love the job, work with passion and stay faithful.
