Cultural discovery

30 March 2009 Posted by Martin

[Harligen, Netherland]

One month of visit in the Netherlands comes to an end. For this first month of operation, it is nice to see the book fair full of visitors and to participate in various programs such as evenings for young Christians from local churches or thank you dinners for donors who support the Logos Hope.

Like any new port, the discovery of the local culture is required. On the menu: the stroopwafel, delicious Dutch wafer filled with caramel, or the raw herring dipped in chopped onions (and of course raw)

... I'll let you guess what I prefer!

Life on board: The Deck Department

09 March 2009 Posted by Martin

The Deck Department works under the Captain and the officers to ensure the security and the good shape of the ship. They watch over us at night,are trained to fight the fire!

video

Life on board: The Engine Room

02 March 2009 Posted by Martin

The engine room is the heart of the Logos Hope. It provides electricity, air, hot water, and power to move the ship. Let's visit one of the hidden place of the Logos Hope.

video

Life on board: The Angels

23 February 2009 Posted by Martin

The angels are the people from the Accommodation Department. Their role is to make sure that the Logos Hope is a pleasant place to live. as a result, they know every corner of this ship...

video

Snowy Gothenburg

22 February 2009 Posted by Martin

[Gothenburg, Sweden]Our stay in Gothenburg is short, only 4 days! But it has been rich in experiences. The Book Fair was open every day, and I presented the Logos Hope in a church. One evening we had a snowstorm. The snow was perfect to make an awesome snowman.  People even stopped to take picture (which was great because I forgot to take my camera ;o)

And here is the result with Ruben, the other snowman builder

Another discovery: walking on the ice…

Shall I go or shall I stay?

And without hands!

nice berth isn't it?

Release the mooring lines!

20 February 2009 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark] Finally, the Maiden voyage!

video 

Sailing!

19 February 2009 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]Here we go!
We got the News today! The Logos Hope is ready to sail!
After 5 years of project, she will finally launched into ministry. You can follow our current itinerary on Google Earth by downloading the 3D model.

Life on board: The Galley

16 February 2009 Posted by Martin

What is life on board Like?

In this video, you will discover the Galley, which is our kitchen. They cook more than 1000 meal every day, prepare the dining room, and bake our daily bread!

video

Life on board: The School

09 February 2009 Posted by Martin

What is life on board the Logos Hope like?
Among our community of 350 people, we have  families and kids. The 40 kids are schooled on boar, following the UK program, and here is a visit of the school.

video

PST Birkedal

05 February 2009 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]41 new recruits joined the Logos Hope on the 3rd of February 2009 in Køge, Denmark. We call them PST Birkedal like PreShip Training Birkedal, (the place where they received their training). A Preship group is more than people with who you spend 10 days of safety & ministry training: whether we are young or old, people from a preship will discover, grow, face similar challenges as their fellow PST members ; our 2 years on board is a journey we travel with this 'family'. And yesterday, they all had their first experience of Logos Hope!

video

Blackout

31 January 2009 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]Blackout! There is an unusual silence on board the Logos Hope tonigh. The emergency batteries are flat, and it's pitch dark. Only the lights pointing out o the Exit are still on. This programmed blackout for the safety audit transforms completely the atmosphere of the ship! This audit is important for the future as it aims to get the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, the paper wihout which we can't sail.

Hence all systems are checked: from our fire fighting systems, to the rescue boat, and including the ventilation system and drillse. There are still some points to be fixed, but our departure from Denmark is near!

Christmas around the world (video)

24 December 2008 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]During the 4 weeks of advent, the Logos Hope has open her doors for the festival "Christmas around the world", a cultural Christmas experience!
You can enjoy a bit with this video.
I wish you a Merry Christmas!

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Winter in Denmark

20 December 2008 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]Winter in Denmark is harsh time. The sun rises at 8.30 AM and sets 7 hours later. In between, wind, rain and even snow sometimes share the agenda. But when the sun rays break through the clouds, it makes memories that you won't forget...

Photo Tom Brouwer 

Christmas around the world

06 December 2008 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]Throughout Advent, the Logos Hope opens its doors for a Christmas around the World! Fifteen stands presents how different cultures celebrated the coming of Christ around the world. Christmas trees in Europe, camping and BBq in Africa, or romantic evening in Japan, traditions are diverse and exotic! But we are also keen on sharing the meaning of Christmas for us.

On this occasion, I also presented a short swing dance performance. Unfortunately, because of the snow and cold weather of Denmark, Christine, my partner got completely frozen...

video

Work in Progress (video)

19 November 2008 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]Here is an update of the work that has been done this year. When I joined the Logos Hope in February, there was no carpet and no furniture in the rooms that are presented in this video (well, we ate on wooden board in the dining room). I hope it gives you a better idea of the progress that has been made... 

video

Work in progress (3)

24 October 2008 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark] Here is an update concerningthe work that was done recently

Logos Lounge The Logos Lounge is our conférence room. During several month, it was used as a mess for people working in the project.

Before, we met in the Experience deck (unfinished). This Deck will welcome the public in the future.

But now, we have a nice room to host conferences, prayer night, worship night and Sunday service!

Mess The Mess is the dining room for people in working clothes.
Before renovation:

Today:

Book Fair, Book Hold, Library

Painting the anchor

Work in progress...Some work still need to be done for the Hope Theater and the Experience Deck

To be continued...

This is a drill... This is a drill

20 September 2008 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]Every 6 months people come and people leave. With the renewal of the crew, security teams have to be updated too. I joined a team that ensures the safety of the ship. Every week we have a drill with life boats to abandon the ship in case of emergency. We also have a weekly exercise against the fire. Contrary to what I imagined when I arrived on board, the greater danger on a ship is not water but fire. The Logos Hope is a small city with accommodation areas, an electricity power station and a kitchen that prepares 1200 meals a day. We must be ready to cope with various situations. A fire in the kitchen will be different from one in engine room. My role in this  team is to provide support to the firefighters’ team who is specially trained to attack the fire. I bring hoses or I evacuate the areas of the 'disaster'. I really enjoyed being part of these exercises.

One of the core values of OM ships is to serve with excellence. These drills put words into practice for me, for I'm glad that my responsibilities are broader than the information technology area. I can learn to work as a team so that the ship is in a safe place where we feel good to live and work. 

The Chief mate explains how to use one of the radio

Work in progress (2)

07 September 2008 Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]Since the last two months, the erffort are focus on the project. The Goal is to get the Passenger Ship safety Certificate and to complete public areas. During dry dock in Landskrona, Sweden, the ship as been cleaned, grained, painted. We have also replaced on of the four generator.

Here are some picture of the work that has been achieve lately :

~ Dry dock ~
The ship yard

 

A new generator

Painting the stairs

 
Køge
Carpet in the Staff Lounge and Logos Lounge

 

First STEP

Posted by Martin

[Køge, Denmark]The first STEPers have just arrived on board. What? Are we getting rid of the book Fair to transform the Logos Hope into the biggest floating gym? Not quite. These Steppers are not like the aerobics device that slim legs and hips. (the hundreds of stair on board are enough for that). A STEPer is someone who joins the ship for a Short Term Exposure Program.
During 3 months, they will have the opportunity to work in different departments (galley, deck, engine room, accommodation ...) and enjoy the ministry and the life on board.
For this first STEP organized aboard the Logos Hope, they are a 22 from 11 countries. Nice mixture! They also bring a wind of energy, as all of them look pretty motivated to help  build this ship!

The new French community!

Dry-dock

03 July 2008 Posted by Martin

[Lanskrona, Sweden]During this last month in dry dock, important work have been done, especially in the engine room where the new generator is arrived. the hull has also been painted... more details in the video:

video

Work progress

23 May 2008 Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany] Many things have changed on the Logos Hope in the past months; the progress is impressive. We have inaugurated the new dining room with its carpet and new furniture. Desks have been installed in offices and attached to the wall to prevent them from falling during sailing. We have also received IT equipment to replace old computers. But the most important progress is certainly on deck 4 where the floor is now completed.

deck 6 -The new dining room

deck 4 - The futur book fair

 new computers!!

 

Hope Fest

Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany]The sun has been shining for several weeks over Kiel now and as summer is approaching, it's time to say goodbye. For the farewell event called HopeFest, the Logos Hope opened its doors during a weekend. 2 days to thank God for our stay in Kiel, 2 days to thank the churches and the people who helped us and supported us financially or by donations (like a farmer who we gave us 5 tons of potatoes over 6 months). From Kiel, Lubeck and Hamburg, the visitors could appreciate the cultural diversity of the ship’s company through the booths that represented each group of nationalities. The afternoons were highlighted by biblical dramas, dances and magic shows.

I was so happy to have a glimpse of how the ship's life will be soon: with the decoration and the public, I have the impression of living on a new ship. And that’s really exciting.

German Weather

28 April 2008 Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany] Life on board is quite intense. It goes at full speed and the weather seems to have takn the same path: one day can picture the 4 seasons: sun, rain, snow ... and even sometimes ice! It is difficult to predict what the weather will be like in the afternoon, and we have no choice but learning flexibility. One day, surprised by a ray of sunshine, I decided to go take my meals on the deck and enjoy the nice weather. I didn't have time to begin my salad that white glitter started falling into my plate. A little surprised (and irritated) I looked for the newby who must have been painting on the upper deck ... But there was nobody! It was just the snow that started to fall. Hurry up! Go back to the warm dining room! A few minutes later, it was ice in block that started to fall!

A Ferry ballet

Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany]The summer approaches. Soon the docks of the Port of Kiel will have the prestige of hosting the most prestigious Ferries in Europe. Last week already, I was surprised by the AIDA Bella, this brand new ship with a friendly smile. Imagine that you wake up one morning and you see in front of your window a 15-storey building smiling at you.

As long as two football fields, this new luxury Ferry will host 2 050 passengers and 646 crew members ... suddenly I feel very small on my boat!

And while the ferries' ballet continues, we are getting ready move from dock to dock during the month of May to make way for large damsels.

Mountain climbing

Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany] The job of Telecom engineer on a ship has a few cool aspects. For sure I have the disadvantage of living on my workplace and I'm never away from being asked to solve internet related issues. But this week was rather interesting. I worked on a surveillance camera located under the bridge. These cameras are used to monitor that nobody is climbing the mouring lines and to give you some glimpse of our voyage when we will be sailing from port to port.

I worked a few sunny afternoons, hanging on my ladder to install the camera and protect it from the rain. As you see, even at see we can go mountain climbing.

Helicopter crash

Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany]Haa, America and swing dance, this music makes us instinctively swing ... I admit that when a beginner course started two months ago, I was tempted. Not that I am a dance addict, but pushed by the challenge of being able to do something with my feet, I joined this team of swing learners. For several weeks, I felt rather like a lumberjack moving logs at arm's length, not really elegant, but with practice, I begin to remember steps and finaly make some figures...

That's how I got to learn a figure called the helicopter. If you know the game where you attach a rope to one foot and hop on the other foot, you can imagine what does the helicopter look like by replacing the rope with one of the partners (usually the girl). We were having a calm helicopter tour, the take-off had been smooth, everything was going well when suddenly the engine broke, the blades stop turning and my legs moving. I had to land in emergency ... with (fortunately) more fear than harm.
Well, I think I still have to practice...

PS: My swing partner is OK :o)

IT Office

22 April 2008 Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany]Since February, I work in the IT office. The most important task is to give support for the entire network of computers. If you often curse your computer don’t worry, you are like the 350 crew members who will agree that computers can be very temperamental.

So every day, I work with my team to solve problems from printers, surveillance cameras, network connections and ensure that the work of my mates is as simple as possible. When my eyes get tired of my screen, I lend a hand in the work of the future library. There, I install cables for Internet and configure the network hardware for the cashiers and the info desk... I am sometimes a little frustrated because my job is to provide support for other teams and I do not see the direct impact that it brings to the outfit of the ship. At the same time, the work is really different from what I have done before and I am so glad to discover all these new things.

In the heavy fuel tank

05 March 2008 Posted by Martin

[Kiel, Germany] In a few weeks, the ship will make a stopover in dry dock to replace a generator. So right now the 2nd deck is in action station to prepare the place. The Heavy fuel oil tank must be completely emptied and cleaned to carry on the work in safety conditions. Hence, I leave my screen for a moment to give a hand in the engin room.

Let's go for 8 hours of somersaults in oil. I wouldn't stay there for ages, but it's a great fun to spend a day crawling between the tanks, scraping and moping up the oil. Eventually, I get used to the smell, just in time to realize that my nose (and my ear now) are itchy. And this stupid light that fade away now!! Scared of the dark? Me! No! Well, I am not unhappy to leave for a shower!