Riverside police

The fleet stopped briefly in Malaysia and set sail again as planned, passing through the Strait of Malacca, the busiest international shipping channel, and crossing the Indian Ocean!

The importance of the "Escort Captain" was demonstrated during the passage through the Strait of Malacca.

Freighters traveling in the opposite direction and oncoming cargo ships come one after another. Especially when giving way, they must contact each other via radio according to navigation rules to ensure that no collision occurs.

Naval ships are floating countries, and they represent the country as long as they come out. Navy etiquette is also very important, and every detail must be paid attention to.

For example, when encountering warships and merchant ships from countries that have diplomatic relations with China, the flag must be lowered to one-third of the flagpole and then gradually raised within a short range of prediction range. The ship receiving this courtesy will also hoist the flag. First fall and then rise.

The order of salutes at sea is equally important.

When a merchant ship encounters a warship, the merchant ship salutes first.

When a warship encounters a warship, the warship with a lower rank salutes first.

Only minesweepers or minesweepers do not need to follow the rules of saluting according to rank. No matter how high the rank is, ships, even aircraft carriers, must salute and whistle when they see a minesweeper or minesweeper...

Perhaps it is some kind of historical coincidence that a large section of the route of the fleet this time sailed along the route of Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Ocean more than 500 years ago.

In the 28 years from 1405 to 1433, Zheng He led a huge fleet of more than 200 treasure ships to and from the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean seven times, visiting more than 30 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and East Africa along the way. It reaches as far as the Red Sea coast and the east coast of Africa.

Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean were 87 years before Columbus arrived in the American continent, and 82 years before Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. They can be called the pioneers of the world's great voyages. However, many people only know about Columbus and not about Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean.

On July 28, the fleet arrived safely in the ancient and unfamiliar African continent and paid its first visit to Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.

In two days' time, it will be the Army Day, and according to the visit plan, the officers and soldiers will celebrate the festival at sea.

The two heads of state discussed with the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania and decided to celebrate in advance. On the rear deck flight platform of the "Shenzheng" ship, a huge banner with red background and white letters hung high on the hangar door: Reception for the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Republic of Tanzania and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet to celebrate the "August 1st" Army Day meeting!

A huge colorful shed was set up on the deck. Palace lanterns were hung at the four corners of the shed and surrounded by colorful lights. The flags on the ship were fluttering in the wind. The outline lights all over the hull illuminated the port brightly, creating a festive and festive atmosphere. The visit The officers and soldiers of the fleet, together with friends from various countries, welcomed the 73rd anniversary celebration of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in advance.

Accompanied by cheerful Chinese folk music such as "Xi Yang Yang", "Bu Bu Gao" and "Purple Bamboo Tune", groups of guests boarded the battleship.

Among them were generals of the Tanzania Defense Force and Navy in formal attire, diplomatic envoys and military attachés from dozens of countries stationed in Tanzania, and representatives of the Chinese Embassy, ​​my country's expert group for aiding Tanzania, and Chinese and overseas Chinese.

Guests of different colors gathered on a Chinese warship to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the Chinese military.

At the party, Staff Officer Wu met a Tanzanian Navy Captain Masari who could speak some Chinese.

This colonel, who has 30 years of military experience, like many of his colleagues, has received professional training in the Chinese Navy.

Talking about this experience, the colonel seemed particularly excited and proud.

During the conversation, he was talking and gesticulating, for fear that others would not understand, and suddenly said that he could sing the Peking Opera "We Are Workers' and Peasants' Sons", and he started dancing and singing.

The Beijing accent and his inaccurate pronunciation made the people around him burst into laughter.

Major Jakarin, the US military attaché in Tanzania, also attended the party. He showed great interest in the "Shenzhen" ship and asked Political Commissar Shen from time to time, "How does your ship supply supplies at sea?" "The equipment on the ship is all made in China. Of?

When he got a clear answer, he raised his thumbs and claimed, "It can be seen that your ship has a very high technological level and long-distance voyage capability."

In terms of technological level, there is a big gap between Chinese warships and their American warships.

Staff Officer Wu didn't believe his lies. After all, complimenting others was their mantra. Besides, what did a military attaché do? A military attache was an open spy!

Because of this, not all areas of the warship are open to them.

Staff Officer Wu walked around to confirm that no one was paying attention, quickly took his order, walked out of the pergola calmly, and came to the cabin, which was not only closed to the public, but also very busy.

"Xianyu, take a rest and eat something."

"Why are you here? If you're not up there with the guests, what are you doing here?"

Han Yu was wearing work clothes like the officers and soldiers of the Electrical and Mechanical Department, and his hands, body and even face were stained with oil.

What is being repaired overnight is the main boiler!

It was previously discovered that there was a problem with the sealing of the oil tank of the supply ship, but the oil tank was full of oil. These days the warship was sailing at sea, so it could only be simply blocked, and it was impossible to conduct a comprehensive overhaul.

As a result, the heavy oil actually seeped into the seawater. During several replenishments, the heavy oil that seeped into the seawater caused a salt layer to form in the boiler and pipes, and the boiler even suffered slight corrosion.

We have a visit to South Africa next and these faults must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Staff Officer Wu said hello to the electromechanical chief who was also sweating profusely from work, found a relatively clean place to sit down and said, "Let me see you and bring you something to eat."

"I was so busy working that I forgot to be hungry. Now that you tell me, I'm really hungry."

Han Yu took the small fork, forked a piece of cake and stuffed it into his mouth. While eating, he turned back and shouted: "Lao Hu, you have some too."

"Thank you Han Da, I'm not hungry, you can eat."

"Xiao Gu!"

"Han Da, I have eaten it."

"Okay, if you don't want to eat, I will."

The deck is decorated with lights and colorful, the seats are full of guests, and people are chatting softly. Who would have thought that the engine room below the deck is so busy?

Staff Officer Wu felt that Han Yu and the officers and soldiers of the Electrical and Mechanical Department were "unsung heroes" and asked in a low voice: "Xianyu, how long will it take to eliminate the fault?"

"Strive to have it repaired before dawn. It's not about fighting for it. It means it must be repaired before dawn."

"It will be open all day tomorrow. The chief said that while it is open, all officers and soldiers will be organized to go ashore in two batches to visit the National Museum of Tanzania. You have to work until dawn and you will definitely sleep during the day. So you won't be able to go tomorrow."

When the warship docked, the compatriots working hard on the African continent were so excited.

It is said that there are many compatriots working hard in South Africa. When thinking of this, Han Yu felt that the naval fleet visit was very meaningful. While eating, he said: "What is there to see in the museum? Besides, I didn't bring any US dollars, so I can't buy them even if I go ashore. what."

"You didn't bring any US dollars, you were talking as if I had US dollars."

Staff Officer Wu smiled and explained: "The people from the embassy said that in the National Museum of Tanzania there is a nautical chart used by Zheng He during his voyages to the West, and there are Ming Dynasty porcelain that Zheng He brought with the ship as gifts. Those are our ancestors. Visiting the glorious achievements of crossing the ocean can greatly boost the morale of the officers and soldiers of the formation."

Our ancestors traveled across the ocean hundreds of years ago.

What were the conditions for our ancestors at that time, and what are the conditions for the visiting formations now?

What we are now piloting is China's new generation of warships. Its navigation and equipment technology and logistics support capabilities are completely different from those of more than 500 years ago.

Thinking of this, Han Yu sighed: "We will definitely inherit the last wishes of our ancestors and create new glory in the maritime history of the Chinese nation!"

"Speak like a human being and don't act like a political commissar."

"We will visit in two batches tomorrow, one in the morning and one in the afternoon?"

"Seems to be."

"Then I'll sleep in the morning and go visit in the afternoon."

"OK."

It is said that I have left the country, but I have not actually landed in Malaysia.

Either wandering around the dock, or going to the reception with the chief, and then returning to the ship after dinner, without even taking a stroll.

Staff Officer Wu thought this was an opportunity and said with a smile: "Xianyu, Captain Qian said there is a place to exchange foreign currency on the shore. He asked if he could find someone to exchange RMB for Tanzanian shillings."

"What are you doing in exchange for money?"

"Buy something. It's rare to go abroad once, so you can't go back empty-handed. And you are different from me. I am a bachelor. You have a wife and children, so you must bring some gifts for your children."

Han Yu looked back behind him and then leaned into his ear: "Brother, I brought five hundred yuan with me when I came out this time. I know Tanzania. Even though it is poor, its consumption is very high. Even if I can exchange for some Tanzania first Ling, five hundred dollars can’t buy you anything.”

Staff Officer Wu asked in surprise: "You only brought five hundred yuan?"

"It's already a lot. I'm not afraid of your jokes. I've never been so rich!"

"Ha ha ha ha."

"What are you laughing at?"

"Sister-in-law, you are really strict. The dignified deputy division leader only gives you 500 yuan of pocket money."

"What do you know about a bachelor? This is called knowing how to live a good life. This is how you should marry a wife. You will know when you get married."

As a joke, Vice Captain Li and Captain Qian, who were supposed to be attending the reception above, hurried over.

"Vice Captain, Teacher Qian, is something wrong?"

"Han Da, this is the meteorological data we just received. Please take a look at it first."

"oh."

Han Yu took it and looked at it, and immediately frowned.

According to the visit plan, the fleet will set sail the day after tomorrow and will cross the Mozambique Strait to the Cape of Good Hope. This voyage is also the most difficult and dangerous voyage in this visit.

Judging from the meteorological analysis data just received, since this season is winter in the southern hemisphere, the strong westerly wind belt of the Atlantic Ocean collides with the southward warm current of the Indian Ocean. There is a super low air zone on the route, causing the upcoming voyage to There were strong winds and huge waves in the sea.

Captain Qian saw Han Yu thinking deeply and whispered: "The International Maritime Organization issued a notice that before August 7, on the route from the Mozambique Strait to the Cape of Good Hope, the central wind force may be close to level 12, and the wave height may exceed 10 meters."

Vice Captain Li added worriedly: "Just two hours ago, a 100,000-ton oil tanker sank in the waters of the Cape of Good Hope."

"What's the chief's instruction?"

"The chief asked us to seize the time to study and want to know whether our formation can withstand the storm."

"This analysis is not enough. Are there any satellite cloud images?"

"have."

Vice Captain Li opened his briefcase and took out the latest cloud atlas.

Storms are not common in all sea areas. Han Yu stared at the cloud map for about five minutes, then raised his head and said: "This is different from the typhoons we encountered before. It cannot be avoided by waiting a few days."

"That's what the leader said as well." Vice Captain Li took a few deep breaths and said, "This voyage is not short, and there must be at least one replenishment during this period. Considering that the supply ship is not traveling very fast, our captain suggested seizing the initiative. , let the supply ship set sail 10 hours in advance, and our ship will catch up at full speed after completing the visit and sail around the low pressure zone."

"What did the chief say?"

"The chief asked me to listen to your and Captain Qian's opinions."

"Captain Qian, what do you think?"

"If it were one of the ships I've worked on before, I'm confident I can get through it. This is my first time on a warship, and I don't know the condition of this warship."

"Are you worried about the host?"

"If we lose momentum at a critical moment, the consequences will be disastrous."

After working as a non-staff electromechanical chief for so many days, Han Yu had a certain understanding of the working conditions of the two main engines. He weighed it and raised his head and said: "Although these two main engines have constant minor problems, they will not fail at critical moments. "

Vice Captain Li subconsciously looked at the electromechanical chief. The electromechanical chief was silent for a moment, clenched his fists and said, "Han Da is right. We can guarantee that there will be no problems with the main and auxiliary engines, and loss of power will never happen!"

"Okay, I'll report it to the chief."

"If we don't eat, we have to hurry up and get to work."

…

PS: Some book friends may think that the new ship’s trip could not be so bumpy, but in fact many malfunctions did occur during that trip, but they were quickly eliminated with the efforts of the officers and soldiers. Looking back now, it was really not easy to go out and go to the deep blue.