Monsoon Blogging - of ships and seafarers

Handbook for Junior Nautical officers

2008-07-19T18:19:00.002+08:00

Captain Moe Kyaw sailed with Monsoon, now he is working ashore in Yangon. Like many senior officers, they take upon themselves to help young and upcoming officers through teaching during their free time and by writing handbooks which they sell at very low cost.

When he got the handbook published, he came around personally to give some complimentary copies to U Than Win as a form of respect.

MMU Cadets

2008-07-19T18:13:00.002+08:00

We have here, 4 of 5 MMU cadets selected by one of our long term principals for joining their ships. These are some of the best upcoming young officers coming through the system.

Our principals are very supportive for our training programs of which a major feature since we started has been the training of cadets. So these new batch will be our future captains perhaps in 6 to 8 years time. We will make sure they get the best of Monsoon training.

Setsuyo, Eagle & Monsoon Crew Party

2008-07-19T17:52:00.005+08:00

When the going get tough, the tough get dancing..

Our principal Eagle Maritime of Tokyo represented by its president Shirazawa san and Yamauchi san and the shipowner, Kashiwagi san of Setsuyo came by Yangon to host the second crew and family dinner and dance on 6th July.

They came forth to encourage the crew and to shown their care for the families after Cyclone Nargis. Both companies donated generously to the crew as well as to our relief effort.

It is a touching sight that goes beyond business to see us all , shipowners, managers, agents, crew and families all having a jolly good time, drinking, dancing, singing and letting our hair loose (for some of us - whatever hair that's left anyway :-) )

Training and business model for crew manning

2008-07-19T17:15:00.004+08:00

What is PID control? Well, Than Win never stop learning, he never stop teaching.

Apparently these are controls system or concept that applies to many systems onboard ships, such as for steering motors, of which you can see here the model being built by our boys under training by Than Win.

Many crew or management companies boast of multi thousands of dollars spent on training, here what we have is a cheap home grown in house training facilities which I believe is a better alternative to those high tech and fancy simulators which until we are ready and have the necessary capacity, we will leave to the bigger boys.

Than Win has personally trained up hundreds of electrical and marine engineers since we first started 1991. Many of these engineers now form the backbone of our core pool of well qualified engineers for the fleet.

Being in the business for around 20 years now, Monsoon must continue to develop its own manning and training system, we learn from others in the industry, we share best practices. We are not afraid to take our own path such as what we did with our internal training in Yangon.

Capt. Lee joining us will strengthen the development of our training and business models.

Call of the Sea

2008-07-19T17:12:00.000+08:00

Sea FeverBy John Masefield

I must go down to the seas againto the lonely sea and sky
And all I ask is a tall shipand a star to steer her by
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song
and the white sail’s shaking
And a gray mist on the sea’s face,
and a gray dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again
for the call of the running tideIs a wild call
and a clear callThat may not be denied
And all I ask is a windy daywith the white clouds flying
And the flung spray and the blown spume
and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again
to the vagrant gypsy lifeTo the gull’s way
and the whale’s waywhere the wind’s like a whetted knife
And all I ask is a merry yarnfrom a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream
when the long trick’s over.

The Datin is not sleeping

2008-07-04T01:19:00.004+08:00

Whats is it that bloggers almost always never sleep? When I make comments to Tan Kin Lian's blog, it get posted very shortly after, the vetting and acceptance is very fast. Ditto, Datin - These are our local modern intellectuals residing the blogsphere, no ivory towers - you could almost reach out and touch them, they are real people you can virtually talk to :-) .....

Monsoon said...
Dear Datin - I too questions a lot about human motivation and actions, including myself. It is probably important to start with ourselves.

In this instance, with due respect - by making such a posting, does it implies a consciousness only or does it in anyway imply that we who highlight hypocricy are ourselves above such human follibles?

Perhaps it will be too much to expect of us when we write of such follibles that we examine ourselves first?

"Let those who have not sinned throw the first stone"

July 4, 2008 12:11 AM
MarinaM said...
Dear Monsoon, I like to post interesting articles I find in the hope that they make us think about how we and others behave. We only take action once we become conscious about something, no?
July 4, 2008 12:45 AM

Hypocrisy

2008-07-04T00:13:00.004+08:00

From time to time, I checked what's happening across the digital causeway, very "luan" - our own politicians must be laughing heartily at the quality of the politicians there. Sigh!

Nevertheless, across the causeway, the politicians, they are nothing if not colourful - I check out the Malaysian blog scene regularly, interesting blogs, among them, Rantings by MM whose recent posting has an article on hypocrisy:

"Deep Down, We Can’t Fool Even Ourselves" By JOHN TIERNEY, New York Times

.....Politicians are hypocritical for the same reason the rest of us are: to gain the social benefits of appearing virtuous without incurring the personal costs of virtuous behavior. If you can deceive even yourself into believing that you’re acting for the common good, you’ll have more energy and confidence to further your own interests — and your self-halo can persuade others to help you along.

But as useful as hypocrisy can be, it’s apparently not quite as basic as the human instinct to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Your mind can justify double standards, it seems, but in your heart you know you’re wrong.

I have make a comment on this posting and hope she will accept my comment.

It's quite interesting the Western MSM published some thoughtful articles espousing the truth, debunking hypocrisy etc. Very effectively, you get the impression that they are very credible, you then tends to readily endorse and accept other news being published by them.

It may be too much to ask them to research and examine their own personal or own media's example of hypocrisy at the same time, instead of bashing the politicians and other personalities we all loves to hate. But of course, we all have the rights not to implicate ourselves.

I have make several postings recently about seeking reasons and truth, it's a long way from home.

Flowers from friends

2008-07-03T11:45:00.002+08:00

Our New Office Address WEF 28th June 08

2008-07-03T09:59:00.001+08:00

Our new office, this morning

2008-07-03T09:34:00.001+08:00

Gracious society

2008-07-02T15:18:00.003+08:00

Just the other day, I was having a conversation with my son, PC and among other things I expressed my sentiment, Singapore has become too commercial and perhaps intentionally agressively competitive to the extent we lost our graciousness which was second nature to us during the time when I was young. This is especially regretful as then we were poor and living from hand to mouth. I remember we were happy, we look out for each others.

The government has some years back given some lip service about promoting a gracious society of which not too much have been hear from since. The rich are getting richer, the guys in charge want more and more money while the old and disadvantaged languish in the urban heartland. It is every man for himself, grab what you can.

There are growing voices on the internet, especially people of my age who share similiar sentiments concerning the lack of graciousness in our society as compare to what we experience in say Taiwan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Myanmar or in developed countries such as Norway, Australia.

Perhaps not by coincidence, many Singaporeans, read Mr Tan Kin Lian among many others, feel strongly enough to frequently lament and registering such similiar feeling on the net, on their blogs etc.

It seems like the policy in Singapore is to achieve even more economics objectives first then we may in some remote future, get around to be gracious, perhaps by order or by some acts of parliament to be implemented. I think this is not how it works, our poorer neighbours manage to retain their graciousness, those developed countries such as Australia did not lost their graciousness, they have time for each other, they take care of their elderly and poor while we in Singapore find excuses and reason why we are not there yet. Perhaps in our society, the ethos has become "Graciousness are for Losers", Even so...

If not now, when? Let it start with us even if I felt our government is not providing the basic framework for it to happen as they should.

Settling in our new office

2008-07-02T15:07:00.002+08:00

It is getting better and better - I can sense our staff happiness with our completely new office environment - thanks to the good effort of Capt Lee who has firstly found this nice building and secondly, worked very hard to ensure the details are taken care of so we move on schedule without any disruption to our services. The boxes of documents etc are mostly cleared now, aircon, lightings and keyphone system, internet broadband humming along nicely.

We put up the signboard yesterday, it looks very nice - there is a small signboard on the main door and upon opening the front door, our old faithful signboard are beautifully lighted up so it gives a very professional first impression to anyone entering our premises.

One more thing I like is that we are taking off our shoes in order to keep the carpet clean, this is like some Japanese and Korean offices I had visited - we take off our shoes - just as we also do at home in Singapore - so treat our office like our home. Feel at home.

We have invested quite a tidy sum now in renovating our offices and equipment such as laptop. With this new move, all our three offices, Singapore, Manila and Yangon are well done up, ensure a safe, conducive working environment for our staff.

We are ready for the future.

Truth is a double edged sword

2008-06-30T01:59:00.003+08:00

As I continue my search for reasons and truth, perhaps not by coincidence, I stumbled upon an article from the NY Times 27th June, posted on one of my favourite website, Richard Dawkins.

In accordance with my worldview, my conclusion after a brief reading of this article - don't trust anyone - especially be careful trusting yourself and your own enigmatic brain.

Entitled "Your Brain Lies to You"

"Even if they do not understand the neuroscience behind source amnesia, campaign strategists can exploit it to spread misinformation. They know that if their message is initially memorable, its impression will persist long after it is debunked. In repeating a falsehood, someone may back it up with an opening line like "I think I read somewhere" or even with a reference to a specific source.

Adding to this innate tendency to mold information we recall is the way our brains fit facts into established mental frameworks. We tend to remember news that accords with our worldview, and discount statements that contradict it. "

....."Consumers of news, for their part, are prone to selectively accept and remember statements that reinforce beliefs they already hold. In a replication of the study of students' impressions of evidence about the death penalty, researchers found that even when subjects were given a specific instruction to be objective, they were still inclined to reject evidence that disagreed with their beliefs.

In the same study, however, when subjects were asked to imagine their reaction if the evidence had pointed to the opposite conclusion, they were more open-minded to information that contradicted their beliefs. Apparently, it pays for consumers of controversial news to take a moment and consider that the opposite interpretation may be true. "

Moving office, New Office.

2008-06-29T12:06:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, we move office. On time, on schedule.

This project was lead by Capt Lee, very well supported by our small team. I was concerned about the stress and physical assertions on our "matured staff". Happily, they took it in good stride over the last few days of packing and stacking cartons of boxes of documents etc.

There are many things to take care of during and before the actual move. Everyone help out in a nice way. I can say we enjoyed the moving work together as well as looking forward to a completely new and comfortable environment even as we will miss our office at Hockkian huaykuan building where we stayed for the last four years. Time flys...

Alexcier is a small building, just like the Huaykuan, our neighbours are dynamic professional and small enterprises. Just as we did at the Huaykuan, Monsoon hope to contribute to the buzz here at the Alexcier which I am sure will be humming soon when everyone moves in.

We are among the first to move in. Of course for the next few weeks, we may have to endure a bit of dust and noises from the renovations works still being carried out for the moment.

Alexcier is outside the CBD, address 237 Alexandra Road, #05-05. Our new telephone is 64745618.

Coming by car, you can park at our building carpark from Alexandra Road or Leng Kee Road access. We are within 5 to 7 minutes walk from Redhill MRT station. Many bus services stop at the bus stop in front of our building. Outside of CBD and the ERP gantries, your visit to us will be less expensive, more pleasant.

If you don't mind the afternoon sun, we proudly present you our own Monsoon private sundeck, where you can choose to have a tan, a glass of beer or wine watching the equatorial sun setting on our beautiful city skyline. Our building will have a cafeteria on the second floor where we can have our meals and coffee breaks which we do from time to time for management, business and brainstorming sessions.

The lower level of our new building will be occupied by car showrooms just as the many other buildings along this stretch of the road are mostly car showrooms. So you can visit us and have a chance to ogle at the many and different models to make you drool and enjoy the sights before visiting our office.

The office layout are nicely planned, simple but clean with soothing colour theme, conducive to a small working environment. As usual, I will have a small room for myself which double as a meeting room. As usual, We took the chance to reduce our storage space intentionally so that we are not storing unnecessary stuffs. Much as possible, we are keeping most of our correspondences, operational and accounts document online and in soft copies. We switch our broadband service to Singtel. As usual, the switch brings with it, struggles with new configurations to connect up our vista laptops. Capt Ngoh, our patient in house IT expert is still working on it.

I have asked to reduce the number of powerpoints as we are now working with laptops, our power need for equipment should be constantly reviewed for minimal environment impact, reduce wastage and minimising the use of resources as far as possible.

With the high cost of operations, inflation and fuel prices skyrocketting, we need to be ahead of this race to be more efficient and productive, yet making our organisation more pleasant to work in. I am glad we are thinking of such issues ahead of time.

Small outfit we may be, we will continue to think creatively to ensure we remain profitable, relevant, recognising our many responsibilities to our many stakeholders.

Please drop in to visit us.

Myanmar, 8 weeks on

2008-06-29T11:21:00.003+08:00

Later this week, I will be going to Yangon to attend to a crew party hosted by one of our Japanese Principal. They have shown great support for our crew during the cyclone and for our relief effort. I will be making a final report of our relief effort after this trip and give an acount to the donors who have supported our effort.

Today, I saw a much more moderated report from the Straits Time (Myanmar 8 weeks on). After the Asean team, including Singaporeans were given permission to access and assess the situation in the delta for themselves, they now find that much of the hysteria and sensational news about the callousness of the Myanmar regime has proven to be untrue in regards to their response to cyclone Nargis.

In the worse case, this "Western hysteria" was intentional to politicise the disaster to their own agenda. In the unlikely best case, it is plain ignorance and insensitivities.

No doubt the western and MSM has been proven to be a very powerful force, making us suspend our own common sense, making us believe almost whatever they tell us, even if it is against our own sense of fair play, even if it is against our own interest, to be more critical and objective. ( I find it very telling that even the local blogs and websites which normally have alternative viewspoints on nearly everything are very much accepting and supporting the western media reports).

For those who are brought up to believe in the "free and demoncratic world and media", even such incidences will be brushed off. I have no doubt they will continue to believe, despite many other examples, most recently the tibet riot and anti China demonstrations in the west and their very much slanted reporting. Our negative view on China, Myanmar and even about our own country are pretty much shaped by these powerful media and the supporters behind them.

Even now as most of us will move on and leave the professionals to continue working quietly on helping the delta people, I am still frequently checking the UN reliefweb for updates on the relief efforts by the major organisations such as the UN, UNICEF Red Cross and USAID etc. I am very much impressed by how the world have worked out such an efficient system to help in major disasters such as this Cyclone Nargis and also the Sichuan earthquake.

In regards to Cyclone Nargis, there has also been many acknowledgement that the local NGOs, private companies and individuals has responded very quickly in the early days, just take it upon themselves or work in co-operations with the Myanmar government or with each others to help out in whatever small way they can to distribute food and other materials to the delta people.

I am glad Monsoon has been able to help in our own small but meaningful way, I am very grateful for the strong support from our many friends, employees, crewmembers and principals.

After Sales

2008-06-25T18:26:00.003+08:00

I recently bought a Sharp HD LCD TV, very Sharp...Been holding it off for sometime and the price keep dropping, not exactly cheap now, but reasonable. Watching TV is never the same again anymore - the quality of pictures are clear and sharp beyond description. Breathtakingly so.

I got the TV from Best Denki Vivocity. Came with a free home theatre system and a blue ray player which was out of stock until I collect it yesterday.

In life's simple transaction, there are lessons to learn. The young salesman who attended to us promise to call us once the free blueray player is in, but because the stock did not came to his store, he failed to notify me within reasonable time. When I chase up, he immediately followed up and explained to me the alternative procedure to collect my player directly from Sharp's office in town. Today he called me to ensure I did. In Singapore, such follow up services can be considered as exceptional and remarkable. I try to think if my company are able to deliver similiar after sales and management services consistently? Well, I benchmark myself to a highest level and of course we are short.

We learn if we are able to observe sincerely and reflect such transactions as learning opportunity. So long as we are providing a service, our standard should remain consistently high, the only way to ensure it is so will be through management diligence and determination to do so.

Lost at Sea

2008-06-25T01:12:00.003+08:00

Trawling the internet can be quite rewarding, we get hooked up by all sorts of ideas, I wonder what has not been thought of yet?

The internet is an open (chaotic) market of ideas, caveat emptor - do not be too quickly sold on sexy, even inspirational ideas, most of what you get is a mixture of truth and untruth, misrepresentations.

Read this random posting of a blog I found to share with you titled "trick of logic".

Sunday report from Kaw Hmu

2008-06-23T11:45:00.000+08:00

Capt. Aung Kyaw Min, C/E Tin sint and self went to Kaw Hmu.
We met two local farmers, the area commander, our bosun Tin Win and workshop guy Win Hlaing.
We discussed and commander recommended to buy the local seeds for POPA village where they just needs 600 bushals of seeds ( wich will cost about 48 lakhs ).
We agreed on that and handed over 50 lakhs of kyats to Bosun Tin Win and U Win Hlaing both have to carry out the task under supervision of the commander.
On Sunday : we tried to buy THREE MORE TRACTORS but the Goog Brother Company has run out of stock for particular brand.
We have got from Win Shwe Wa company with the same price after bargaining. These three are requested by one monastry and one village opposite to YGn ( Dallah Township ) also has been approved by our committee.

Six weeks

2008-06-20T14:17:00.002+08:00

I am glad to see a report on the Straits Times yesterday (six weeks after Nargis) finally acknowledging that all the aggressive unsubstantiated claims and alarming reports of people dying from disease and hunger due to the alleged delay and non actions of the Myanmar regime are in fact not happening.

Still the reporters are not acknowledging what the regime has claimed, that the situation has been under control is in fact correct.

We have advocated and stand for a co-operative approach in our small attempt to help the affected people instead of joining in the politics and taking the opportunity to outdo others in coming up with alarming claims. It is hope that those who have show concern through their alarming claims will now calm down and co-operate with one and all concern to really help the affected people, even better to acknowledge and learn from this experience with a sincere heart.

Donation of Tractors 15th June 2008

2008-06-18T12:46:00.007+08:00

Report from Than Win today -

Last Sunday, we went to Kaw Hmu to perform prayer ceremony for the donation of tractors. Followed by offering meal ( Soon in Burmese ) to visiting monks from other villages as well, who came to Kaw Hmu to receive the tractors.
We had very good discussion with local regiment commender Col HMS. He also attended the ceremony, MRTV news came but we requested them not to take any news and they agreed.

Visited persons.

11., Capt. Aung Kyaw Min, 2. C/E Tin Sint, 3. Second Engr Htin Kyaw & Wife, 4. Second Engineer Ko Ko Latt, 5. Mrs C/E Aye Kyaw and son Cadet Hlawn Moe Kyaw. 6 Mrs Capt. Khin Maung Kyaw and daughter. 7. UTW & Wife. 8 J/E Zaw Win and wife. 9. BSN Tin Win and Wife 10. Father & Mother of E/C Ye Lin Htun.

The regiment commender was saying that he told to other NGO to follow our style, where taking care of Donated Things are entrusted to monks and it will benefit both to farmers as well as to the monks.

All are very joyous seeing the things we donated, as tractors are readily to plough as its were modified, filled with lube oil, gear oil and even diesel in the tanks.

During the discussion with Commander, we found out that Kaw Hmu township badly needing the " paddy seedlings". It is alarming as machines are there but without seeds it will be wasted. We looked for proper quality seeds but still could not find or beyound our skill.
Today I am calling the meeeting again, to give money to a committee ( Commander + Township Agri Manager + Monks + elderly famers ) instead of we arranging or locating / transporting the seeds, I think the local may be better in position to do so.

Tractor and accessories

2008-06-18T12:30:00.001+08:00

Byron Bay lighthouse

2008-06-17T00:21:00.006+08:00

Australia most Easterly point, Byron Bay lighthouse (1901) is an old friend for those of us sailing along the East Coast of Australia.

Anywhere, a lighthouse is a sailor's most dependable friend, always there for you during the darkest and stormiest of time - a guiding and comforting light so you know where you are, reassuring you when you may be lost, showing you a safe direction to steer for. Even now as lighthouse may be antiquated, even as we use GPS and satellite for navigation, even if lighthouse are now less useful, they are no less our friend, still there for us when we need it, still standing there. Looking out for us

They also serve, who only stand and wait - John Milton

Gold Coast

2008-06-17T00:03:00.003+08:00

Cyclone Nargis update

2008-06-07T23:08:00.002+08:00

I must say so far our small relief effort has been going well. We have receive very good co-operations from all quarters including the government and army people who are in charge for the area we operate. We have not been stopped or our aids confiscated or been asked to send our aid to the government stores.

I have not seen any foreign reports acknowledging the work of the Myanmar government and armed forces who as far I know have been out helping in the delta since day one. Every reports try to outdo each other in slaming the government, reports their lack of presence, everything negative whether believable or not. As these are what we from the outside world get to read, we have no chance to find out objectively what is the truth. We are supposed to live in the free world, demoncracy and free press publishing the truth. Yet, in my opinion, no one from the internet or main stream media at least try to moderate all these reports or try to verify the truth.

If what has been reported is the actual situation on the ground, the delays and inaction of the government would have by now cause thousands of death as alleged by a senior American official, there would be wide spread diseases. Even as the government allowed foreign reporters into the delta, they have avoided to report accurately what the government has done, they are more interested to report more negative and alarming news to sell their papers, afterall, these are the news as what we like to hear about a regime we all love to hate.

I just wish all of us who sincerely wanted to help the Myanmar people, we just do our part and co-operate with everyone, monks, NGOs, government and army personnel and do whatever we can for the Myanmar people. The politics and the negative reporting can only add to the misery of the people and detract us from this important task at hand.

Today meeting with crew in Yangon regarding our tractors project

2008-06-07T22:14:00.001+08:00

Capt. Hone, Mrs C/E Aye Kyaw, Mrs Capt. Khin Mg kyaw, Mr & Mrs C/E Zaw Aung, 2/E Ko Ko lat, 2/e htin Kyaw, Capt. Aung Soe Min, 4/E Zaw naing, J/E Chit Nyo Win, j/E Zaw Win, BSN Tin Win, attended the meeting.Mrs C/E mg Mg Ohn and E/E Ni Win requested leave as today is raining heavyly.Explained to them what have done. They all are very pleased with the arrangement as ours is benefitting both to farmers and continous profit going to monasteries. Buddhist people are very pleased when they have chance to provide food for monks.C/E Zaw Aung, 2/E Ko Ko Latt requested to ask donation from on board crew monthly till another year as they are too anxious with the arrangements. I have to slow them down and told them that we will keep some spare money ( about 50 Lakh ) for un foreseeing needs.regarding extra 10 to 15 tractors through Marine department is also approved by them.Workshop owner ( who is township chairman for taking care of monks in Kaw hmu ) explained that modification cost more than ecpected it is 30000 kyats instead of 25000 kyats as one more improvement has to be done and crew families approved. diesel 3 bottles, gear oil, lub oil are also needed to run the machines and it may cost about 400000 kyats for 40 machines. it was approved.Loan 10 lakhs to 4/E also granted so that his family can plant the paddy and upon yield he will return the money to Monsoon and we will decide this money to donate to which pagoda if still need to repair. All agree that pagoda in Lat Puttta area is better suit as we can imagine our good donation to remote area pagoda.Also to allot three tractors ( i.e becomes 43 pcs in total ) to 4/E's village Ye Dwin Gone at Lat Putta Township.Crew & families members signed the account balance sheet.The workshop man has reported to Col Thet Naing Oo and Col requested two units more to his area i.e one each to two extra villages. The chief monk invites crew and families member to come to Kaw Hmu to witness the donation and to perform the prayers. I told to all that we aim to go on 14th June. Tentatively all agree to come along. I have requested to workshop man NOT TO ARRANGE ANY TYPE OF MEDIA / JOURNALIST etc.. during that time as we all want to keep very low profile, same has been informed to Col Thet Naing Oo ( cos our transction amount is quite high and we do not wish to be auditted ).Later we run a photo slide show, where the things / rice were distributed etc..we show some supporting papers for account etc..Capt. Hone bought Samusa and I gave tea , we ate and drink.Then I run to Ba Yint Naung Good Brother Company and paid the cash, see the machines. PRC made and spareparts etc are easy to get and cheap. It comes with many attachments for different purpose.Ag Ag likes our Idea and he also will buy same for donations. He is coming back in couple of days to go to Lat Putta.Attached with latest balance sheet.