Sailing across oceans generally invokes images of adventure and excitement, although most of us know little or nothing of the daily life onboard a ship and few are fortunate enough to first-hand experience it. We sat down with Captain Yasas Sanjeewa, who is responsible for one of the colossal vessels of the LAUGFS Maritime fleet – the M.T. Gas Success. Captain Sanjeewa unraveled the exciting stories of life at sea and gave us a glimpse of how a typical day unfolds onboard Gas Success.
“Waking up every day to the view of the bright blue ocean and the smell of the fresh seas is truly an experience in itself. I usually wake up by 6 a.m. and begin my day with a mug of Kola Kenda, before going directly to the Officers’ Mess Hall for my breakfast. Meals are prepared at the galley by our onboard Chef, who serves a range of delicious eastern and western dishes, from Sri Lankan, Indian and Chinese to Italian.”
“Traditional Milk Rice is made for special occasions like Birthdays. Our food is stored in air tight cold rooms to prevent from spoiling due to the sea breeze and climates. We have two cold rooms; one for vegetables and fruits and another room for the meat, fish and frozen food products. Food is served at the Mess Hall, and breakfast is probably one of the most convenient times for the entire crew to come together so it becomes a meal time cum meeting point.”
“After breakfast I return to my cabin, which serves as my office. On a typical day, I would begin by liaising with my external stakeholders, receiving instructions from Head Office and briefing my crew on stock matters related to the ship. Each person on board has an assigned role and I spend some time every morning, following up and getting updates from them.”
“From the maintenance of provisions to keeping stocks, the simplest of things need to be observed strictly, as we spend long periods away from land and can only restock if we’re passing a port. Taking a ship out to sea is very complex, as there are numerous procedures that need to be followed regarding the operations of the ship. This is why the entire crew works in 2 four-hour shifts on a daily basis and the ship is manned 24 hours a day. However, despite these efforts external factors such as weather and ocean conditions may affect a ship’s voyage.”
“My usual work hours are 8 in the morning to 5 in the evening, although I’m on call 24 hours as the Captain of the ship. After finishing work in the evening, I normally go for a walk on the deck around the ship if weather permits. I also love watching movies or doing some reading or catching up with my family over the phone in the evenings.”
Taking into consideration the exposure to extreme weather conditions and the changing moods of the sea, the Captain holds the responsibilities of ensuring the safety of his entire crew as well as the ship. Pondering on the events that led him to this line of profession, Captain Sanjeewa narrated how he came upon the decision of becoming a seafarer.
“At one time I pondered enlisting with the military. So, if I had not entered this profession, I would probably now be in the army. However, after completing the A/Level exam, I enrolled at the Goodwill Marine Academy in Moratuwa and gained my initial sea training before going on to become a 3rd Officer. After going up the ranks and finally becoming a Captain, I entered the Glasglow College of Nautical Studies in the United Kingdom, where I earned my Masters license.”
Captain Sanjeewa goes on to describe the crew onboard the M.T. Gas Success as a closely knit group.
“Spending time on board the vessel, my team has become not just a group of co-workers, but a second family to me. We work together, relax together and this is important because in order to face external calamities from the sea, the synergies between us play a decisive role in how quickly we are able to ward off and brace against challenges. These strong bonds that you form with your crewmates is very important, as you sail for months away from your family.
Captaining a vessel of such magnitude is no small fete. Captain Yasas Sanjeewa concluded the conversation with this parting remark.
“Every single time I step onto the M.T. Gas Success I cannot describe in words the pride and purpose of navigating such a huge vessel owned by a true Sri Lankan Company with a fantastic Sri Lankan crew under my care…”
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