21th ,22th May:On Board Ship
We trainees boarded the LST(Landing -Ship-Tank) and stayed for 2 day 1 night.It is all part of our course,learning how the ship operate practically,instead of studying from the books.We also have to get use on how to work on unsteady ground due to strong current on the sea.
The Ship is about 150m long.The ship sailed from Changi Naval Base to south China Sea and stay there for 2 days..We are quite excited about this becoz it is our first time to board a military battle ship, and also my first time to ever board a ship.So far last time i onli boarded Pirate ship leh.
On our first Day, after the ship set sail,we are shown to our Cabin in the ship consist with double decker beds .By the way,The ship has a very good air conditioning system , but every compartment have a limited space.. quite squeezy.We walking around the deck of the ship and observe how the seaman work .I understand from here exactly how the anchor is dropped ,using of ropes under various conditions etc.We managed to see sunset and is my first time.I get to know that sun during dusk is dark orange ,or red when setting...its very memorable moment for me.
On the 2nd day, 4 am.Our instructor took us to the bridge or aka navigation room.He taught us how to do night duty when on board ship on either day or night.Binoculars is a must and other passer by ships have to take notice etc.After that, our class sat down for a break.I am amazed on why the ship is quite visible at night....and i knew its the moon light.I'm a ngiht owl and always went out till late night.I never realli care about the moon becoz the street lamps lights are bright enough.But this time the ship's on the middle on South China Sea.Its supposed to be dark... but i never know till now that moon light can be so bright that it can shine upon the whole ship so clear.The number of stars are definately much more than what i use to see along the streets in the middle of the night.Enjoying the art from god at night :the sky, the stars and the moon on the sea is a completely different expierience.The ship moves so quietly at night that u can hear your own breath and the cool breeze aginst your face ......while the sea status at that time is very calm.
Few hours after we had our breakfast, our instructor took us to the main deck for lesson again.Our class enjoyed the sea breeze, admiring the sea.i look around me,the sea, and understood y Columbus at that time knew from start that the world is round.From the ship, the sea around me is not a straight line... is more like a circular arc! Anyway, The south china sea is blue in color.When i say Blue, it is very very blue(hehehe Fei4 hua4).As a singaporean, i always thought that sea water is either brown or green color.Hehehe ironic right.? :P