climbing the jacob's ladder

Fatigue, a common element of today's seafarer's life. Captain Ricardo Caballero, Panama Canal Pilot I have to quote a Norwegian Chief Officer who I worked with over 30 years ago when I was just coming out of the package.  Being a "rookie" I was eager to score some points by going the "extra mile" in performing my duties, which weren't specific since I was only a cadet. He said to me "just because it seems as it can be done this time, it does not mean that it should be done all the time ". He said this while  I was inside a  double bottom tank of one of the lower cargo holds. It was well passed midnight. I had worked all day but I wasn't really tired and I had suggested him that I could finish the task before sunrise.  No, he said. It was my first ship, I was being prey by the excitment caused by novelty. It did not take me too long after I began sailing as a Deck Officer to understand what he had told me. I was on small

Listen to the "old man", he knows his ship. Guiding ships through the perils of a harbor or any other waterway can only be achieved successfully after gaining enough experience. It takes time to master every aspect of the geographical area in which you become a pilot.  As train to become Pilot you learn about the location of the buoys, the depths of the channels, the effect of the currents and tides, the available resources: you become an expert in ship handling and are the most apt source when it comes to "local knowledge". You also understand plenty about maneuvering different type of ships. Just by looking at the draft, size, and particulars of the ship you are capable to foretell its behaviour. In this regard you are also an expert. But is this all that you need to bring the ship safely to its destination? What is the role of the ship's Captains? Is he a figure not to be taken into account when we pilots take important decisions? I am wi