Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project......

While transiting through the lakes in north america I used to think why India is not able to implement the 'much awaited' Sethusamudram project (that is how all magazines , news papers etc., describe the project). We speak in awe about the locks in great lakes, suez canal and the panama canal. Are we not competent enough to build something like that in our part of the world. We have been discussing it for 160 years it seems starting from A.D.Taylor who submitted the first proposal. Well surprisingly no more waiting, the project was finally started in July 2004. The credits should go to Vaiko - M.P. from Sivakasi constituency, who tabled the issue in parliament with lots of follow-up, and to the DMK leadership for dextrously making the project a reality. Now there is also a different dimension to the issue. What about the environment. Are we equipped and can we manage the environmental impacts. No doubt the talents are available. What about the never ending official processes? Let us see how things shape up in the future...

Hypocrisy..........

Talking to a friend recently, we were discussing the physical strain in addition to the usual tension faced by engineers onboard. The cargo had to be unloaded in a short time since the vessel was on time charter. The next voyage was to the west part of the world and hence the engineroom had to be upgraded. There was a serious shortfall in staff since many engineroom staff had been sent to the deck to assist the mate on his deck upgradation. The cranes were giving a lot of trouble and there were no spares for the same. Fitter was busy on a pipeline renewal job. Fitter#2 was also busy inside the ballast tanks. Now since the ship was in Chennai-the place where the head office of the company is situated, there was a line of superintendents visiting the vessel and the captain was engaged in entertaining them (very busy indeed). The second engineer was discussing with the chief engineer complaining that the engineroom staff had been put to cleaning work on decks without even consulting him and he is annoyed because his plans and schedule are disturbed. The chief engineer having much experience in handling situations like this said, "Dont worry second saab, keep these fools happy we have to complete our contract peacefuly. Whatever jobs you have in engineroom can be done during sailing. Right now our priority should be the cranes. Get them working somehow."

The second engineer did exactly as told. Now the ship was sailing and the current issue was speed. Why the engines are not givng the desired rpm. Telexes, faxes, phones suggestions by the demigods sitting ashore- and nothing happens. Engine should have been decarbed they find out. Why was it not done at port. Whom to blame. Well, who else but the second engineer- 'he is the culprit' decides the captain. He now wants to sack him thanking God for giving him an opportunity to give a bad report about this non-cooperative second engineer.

The captain then started composing his message regarding this issue to office and just then the second engineer entered the wheel house. The captain ordered the seaman on-watch, Arrey! ek cup chai banao, second saab ke liya..

Turning to the second engineer he said, "Acha bolo saab kya kabar neeche, ..."

photograph by john

Ethics required.......
This is about a company in India. This is a well known company and owned by a reputed family who are known for their magnanmity in giving to society. Some managers in the company who are responsible for recruitment treat the candidates unethically. The candidates, particularly cadets applying for a job in the company are interviewed by these managers in a typical fashion. They ask silly questions during the interview process, and are told to take situps in a room. The number of situps increases the candidates chances of being employed. These managers claim that they are moulding the candidates for a tougher time onboard by conducting interviews in this fashion. Would the parties concerned realise that they are living in the 21st century and follow ethical ways in interviewing & recruitment?
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