10 Jan 2009-Bakassi, Cameroon (ex-Nigeria)
We sail and sail. In early morning, before we have our toolbox, I witnessed boat transfer from barge to TZ boat. Barge and TZ are moving together. It look so scary, because all safety measure in boat transfer was not applied. They didnt expect to have boat transfer at portside. They prepare ropes for boat transfer but it is installed at front deck, which is now full of stuff, not possible to have boat transfer in front deck. Lucky nothing happened. Forgot to mention this crew is expert in land, and this is their 1st time in marine.
We reached Bakassi offshore around noon time. We actually expected to reach Bakassi around night time. Pacific Sabre, tugboat did a good job, we really feel that our barge was moving fast. When we reached Bakassi, all feel so fine. We can see the shore, foggy scenery because of humid. Many platform around us, it makes us more secure. We thought so many platforms didnt get attack, we will not get attack too.By the way, we have many BIR armed forces sitting around protecting us.
Thus, we started to make planning for the next day. Boss said we will start to try layout tomorrow, we will train all newbies, we will... we will.... All written on white board.We reached Bakassi offshore around noon time. We actually expected to reach Bakassi around night time. Pacific Sabre, tugboat did a good job, we really feel that our barge was moving fast. When we reached Bakassi, all feel so fine. We can see the shore, foggy scenery because of humid. Many platform around us, it makes us more secure. We thought so many platforms didnt get attack, we will not get attack too.By the way, we have many BIR armed forces sitting around protecting us.
Bakassi is not too bad at all. We have fresh fish to eat.
Around 3am, (I always woke up around 3 am, due to sleep too early around 8.30pm) I heard many securities walking around outside my room with radio. Kinda scary because they may be rebel who onboard our barge. My imaginations ran wild. I continue my sleep again and begin my routine by waking around 5.30am and eat breakfast. During my breakfast, my collegaue ask me about what happen early morning because our project manager was woken up by security. I said I do not know.
Before toolbox meeting, people are talking about our tugboat being shot and captured by rebel this early morning. our PM clarified the rumor by saying that there were attack to one of the tugboat early morning and the tugboat is safe now. I was shocked for a moment, and felt terrified after recovered from the shock. We were all sleeping, we can die anytime. According to Barge crew, the tugboat contact the barge when there are shooting. They counter shot for 30 mins. The boat which attacked them were the same military boat which came near barge yesterday, they were asked they are cameroonian or nigerian military, but they didn't answered, chased by our TZ with securities. Fyi, TZ boat speed is around 5 knots, rebel's fastboat is around 30 knots. If rebel make one circle around the barge, I dont think tZ manage to finish half circle. All bosses have meeting, while Pacific sabre along side our barge, can see clearly there are only shot at the bridge and around light. While bosses having emergency meeting, Pacific Sabre left us. Only left small tugboat to tow the barge if we want to leave!
Around 3am, (I always woke up around 3 am, due to sleep too early around 8.30pm) I heard many securities walking around outside my room with radio. Kinda scary because they may be rebel who onboard our barge. My imaginations ran wild. I continue my sleep again and begin my routine by waking around 5.30am and eat breakfast. During my breakfast, my collegaue ask me about what happen early morning because our project manager was woken up by security. I said I do not know.
Before toolbox meeting, people are talking about our tugboat being shot and captured by rebel this early morning. our PM clarified the rumor by saying that there were attack to one of the tugboat early morning and the tugboat is safe now. I was shocked for a moment, and felt terrified after recovered from the shock. We were all sleeping, we can die anytime. According to Barge crew, the tugboat contact the barge when there are shooting. They counter shot for 30 mins. The boat which attacked them were the same military boat which came near barge yesterday, they were asked they are cameroonian or nigerian military, but they didn't answered, chased by our TZ with securities. Fyi, TZ boat speed is around 5 knots, rebel's fastboat is around 30 knots. If rebel make one circle around the barge, I dont think tZ manage to finish half circle. All bosses have meeting, while Pacific sabre along side our barge, can see clearly there are only shot at the bridge and around light. While bosses having emergency meeting, Pacific Sabre left us. Only left small tugboat to tow the barge if we want to leave!
All crew even barge crew and us want to get away from that area. After the meeting, we evacuated the barge, 30 of expats and contractors prepared to leave the barge toward Seme beach Hotel. HSE, Radio man, skipper, mechanice still on the barge.
Everyone ready to evacuate.
TZ at Jetty near Seme beach Hotel.
Safety - name chec at Seme Beach Hotel
Everyone ready to evacuate.
TZ at Jetty near Seme beach Hotel.
Safety - name chec at Seme Beach Hotel
No comments:
Post a Comment