Captain Niit's log: May 2015

In my line of work I meet many people from different countries. I also work closely with various authorities, officials and entities, keeping the maritime industry afloat. There is a history of exchanging "tokens of appreciation" for a good job done after a completed operation. This between the stevedores of the port, and Chief Officer of a vessel. Stevedores receive a couple of Whiskey bottles, and Ch.Off receives USD50(neatly folded inside a hand, transferred during the hand shake). There are even ports where Ch.Off/Captain, have to sign a receipt for this little gift(probably enforced by port accounting). Then you get to the ports where you are expected to "bring gifts" of various values, to "Tom Dick and Harry..."this to enable a smooth operation. Nowadays off course not in line with all companies corruption policies, but all people working internationally knows that this is the only way of getting work done since we humans are greedy by nature.

Best places in my opinion, are the ports were the agent informs you how many people will board your vessel on arrival, and how (what) amount, and type of gift are expected(like a price list).
But there are countries were officials are using their authority to gain favours in terms of products from the vessel or even plain cash(USD). Made up problems in documentation, delaying operations or services which could be quite costly for any ship owner. As a Master this is very irritating and frustrating as you have to balance the pro's and con's. You have to decide how much shafting you are willing to accept. Worst places have just a scruple less fool, with no moral, making up his "list of gifts" as he walks thru the vessel (Inspecting).
A few years back I was working West Africa and made a few stops at this particular port. Below a few pictures from the anchorage and port.On one occasion we arrived early morning and the inward clearance took 6 hours. The boarding party, men and women, seemingly relatives, but all insisting on being officials, focused on the crew sea mans books, knowing that there might be some old entry from years back, and other vessels, not being completely filled out. And sure enough a few of the sea mans books had old entries from previous vessels, were the master signature was missing. And subsequently I as Master of this vessel(myself) were at fault for hiring crew with erroneous documentation. But as always, the reason for this "made up" problem was to attain "generous gifts" from our slop chest and dry store, our stores and stock already extremely low since we just arrived from a project in another country, and main reason for this port call was for to get provisions and stores.
They managed to get their bags filled, and cleaned our soda store out to the last case.
Later that day, in the early evening, one official returned, this time in full gala uniform, he asked if I recognised him?
I confirmed recognising him as the "head honcho" of this mornings ordeal. He then opened his bag, revealing a case of Coka cola light, and claimed that I had exposed his family for the risk of poisoning since the case had passed it's best before date(it was expired). Knowing that we now had fresh provisions and new cases of soda on board, he requested me to exchange his expired case for a fresh case. I was very tired after a long day, and suffering from a head ache. Tired of all this BS and hassle, I kindly explained that there was not to be an exchange, the demanded "gifts"of this morning was none returnable, and none exchangeable.
The "gala uniformed official" eyes turned very black and he spent the following 30 minutes explaining in detail all kinds of problems, me and my vessel could be exposed to if the exchange were not to be. Finally understanding my position with regards to the matter, he packed up his expired case of Coke, and departed with a final threat. Do I need to state, that next time I came into this port, all sea mans books old entries from previous masters and their vessels were just perfectly entered and correctly signed, what a remarkable coincidence..