PONDICHERRY MARITIME ACADEMY

  Land and Sea Breeze On a hot early afternoon, take a walk along a dry beach. You start hopping and leaping as soon as you place your bare feet in the sand and sprint towards the sea to soak your burning feet in the water. Yes, the sun warms them both. Land and water, on the other hand, do not heat up or cool down at the same rate. In coastal areas, the differential heating and cooling of land and water create breezes. A sea breeze is any wind that blows from a large water body towards a landmass. Whereas, the offshore winds are called a land breeze that arises from land. The main difference is because of the property of water to retain heat for a longer duration as compared to land. Here, we will discuss more about the land and sea breeze along with some important questions.  What is a Breeze? Breeze, the light and cold wind is one of the most wonderful sensations to feel a cold and moderate wind on a hot summer day at the beach. The breeze is classified into two types: Se...

A recent grounding incident of a ship turned out to be fatal as the master declared “Abandon-Ship”. Though the decision to abandon the ship was, some say, dubious; it was nevertheless a-moment-of-panic and given the conditions the only chance to survive. Subsequently, as the crew managed to get away from the wretched ship, the fate had its own plans; the lifeboat which was carrying the survivors capsized under steep breakers and heavy surfs, while they tried ‘beaching’ it. Except a few crew members who went missing in the bad weather conditions, others found themselves extremely lucky to be alive. Beaching a life boat in good weather seems doable, although a bit tricky, but when it is to be done in a bad and inclement weather, it is a nightmare. A boat can easily be toppled over its broad side when approaching dangerous breakers and surfs near the shore, if not handled skillfully and of course, with a lot of patience. That’s what exactly happened to the folks in the life boat who w...

International maritime signal flags are various flags used to communicate with ships. The principal system of flags and associated codes is the International Code of Signals. Various navies have flag systems with additional flags and codes, and other flags are used in special uses, or have historical significance A Alfa - Diver below (when stationary); I am undergoing a speed trial B Bravo - I am taking on or discharging explosives C Charlie - (affirmative) D Delta - keep clear of me, I am manoevering with difficulty E Echo - I am altering my course to starboard F Foxtrot - I am disabled, communicate with me G Golf - I require a pilot H Hotel - I have a pilot on board I India - I am altering my course to port J Juliett - I am going to send a message by semaphore K Kilo - you should stop your vessel instantly L Lima - you should stop, I have something important to communicate M Mike - I have a doctor on board N November - no (negative) O Oscar - man overboar...