‘The ship had two Kromhout diesel engines, each generating 270 hp, directly reversible and each with its own coupled propeller. We cast off, and fired up the engines. That went really smoothly, and they ran like clockwork. Our voyage started out calmly, but the wind got stronger and stronger. The noise of the waves was like thunder, as they slammed against the loading ramp – fortunately it had been welded shut. At one point, we were even blown back­wards. We changed course and headed for Dover. After two days in port, there was a smooth sea waiting for us, as if nothing had happened. Dense fog in the Mediterranean caused us to get a bit off course, but we then sailed happily towards Port Said and through the Suez Canal.’ Clogged up ‘Our original fuel tanks were empty, so we switched to fuel from the ballast tanks. We then noticed that the fuel filters were getting clogged up faster than usual. The fuel was also not a nice blue colour, but black and opaque. We discovered that the ballast tanks had been treated with bitumen to prevent them being rusted by seawater. The ship’s rolling meant the diesel had dissolved the bitumen, so we needed new filter elements. We could pick them up in Colombo, but getting there wasn't so easy. The engines had to be stopped one at a time so we could clean the filters. In Colombo, all the spare parts came on board, so we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Four days later, we bid a cheerful farewell to Colombo.’