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Coastal Shipping Up and Running
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PAT HARCUS BOSUN MAERSK NADI
After a lot of work we have now got MUNZ crews on two Maersk vessels plying our coast. This is thanks to the efforts of many union officials, including former Wellington Branch Secretary Mick Williams over a 28-year campaign and struggle.
This included attending meetings with previous Ministers and government officials, including the current Prime Minister, Deputy PM and Minister for Transport Michael Wood.
Maersk Nasha and Maersk Nadi are sister ships, built 2008, and Hong Kong flagged. Their container capacity is 2500 20-foot TEUs, and the crew numbers 16.
The Maersk Nasha crew changed on 22 July and Maersk Nadi on 27 July.
We flew to Auckland to join Maersk Nadi. Prior to entering the Ports of Auckland we were COVID tested. I had good thoughts about joining this vessel which had been achieved through the effort of MUNZ and others.
Stepping back in time, it brought back the memory of Kiwi crews walking up the gangway of NZ Aorangi and NZ Waitangi in the early 1970s after a lot of work from the officials at the time including Pincher Martin.
Once on-board Maersk Nandi we found an office where we could put our gear as the foreign crew weren’t leaving till the next day.
The issue was raised by me in regard to the Bosun being the mud pilot, the watch keepers will being doing the wheel and that the Bosun will be on the focsle tending anchors and mooring etc, and the Captain agreed.
After the meeting we worked out the watches and gear-man and got down to our duties until it was time to move to the hotel for the night.
The accommodation wasn’t in a good state, so Mandy Thorpe and Mal Streat (Cook) got to it and started cleaning the messroom, a great effort and by all making our cabins liveable. Just to note the crewing agent didn’t see any need for a steward but at negotiations Russell Mayn convinced them that there was a need for one.
We realise it may take a couple of swings to get it all sorted and up to our standards. We are prepared for that and accepted the conditions, that’s why it’s essential for vessel inspections prior to joining.
We need our members to man these jobs as we have fought for coastal shipping.
We also require a training scheme to get more young workers into our ranks and hopefully we can get a couple of trainees onto these new vessels, as older members will be retiring.
Just to finish there is a requisition list into the company as we don’t have TV, internet, Wi-Fi, and all fridges need to be replaced along with other shipboard living items.
We are on course here on Maersk Nadi, so don’t be shy members – these will be good jobs and we will make them better for future members. A great effort by crew in getting this vessel up and running.
