Property News · January 15, 2011

A working life: The ship's captain


Encounters with Somali pirates are all part of the job for Roy Whelan – as are long hours and hectic schedules in portOn the bridge of the Maersk Kithira, tucked to one side of a bank of navigational screens, Roy Whelan keeps a map of the Arabian Sea. At first glance it looks pretty innocuous, a schematic of shipping channels in the busy waters bound by the coastlines of east Africa, Oman, Pakistan and India. It’s only when I look closer and see the words “Anti-Piracy Planning Chart” stamped in one corner that its true purpose becomes clear.”In the whole of this area we’re liable to be attacked,” Whelan says matter-of-factly, running his finger along the Gulf of Aden, a wide channel leading into the Suez Canal. “It’s a heavily protected area, but it’s also a magnet for pirates because they know all the ships will be there. All they have to do is get there before the navy.” Continue reading…

Source : theguardian.com
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