Friday morning, Nick Parker ( Mission to Seafarers ) and I went on an ' emergency ' visit! Nick had received a call from a Chinese vessel which had some ' issues ' on board. There seemed to be a lack of food (essentials) on board the ship. We collected boxes full of vegetables, some bread, cookies and purchased from the local produce store; onions, bean sprouts, garlic and rice. Approaching the ship with a water taxi, we did not know what to expect. When the crew saw us we were observed with suspicious eyes. "Who are these guys?" they seemed to be thinking. We told them that we were from the Flying Angel and wanted to supply them with food -- free of charge! They did not understand what we were saying until a young officer who could speak English greeted us. When he said something in Chinese to the other crew members, suddenly they were all smiles! Then the officer invited us to meet the captain and we went upstairs to his cabin/office. He greeted us kindly but was too busy to talk. Apparently the ship had come to Vancouver to take on two large barges and a few small tug boats. From here it will sail to China. The ship looked old and tired. We wished the crew a safe journey and God's speed, thankful that we could help out by giving them food and perhaps some moral support.....hopefully, we showed them some " unusual kindness! "
You can see that this is ' special transportation '. First, the ship partly submerges, then the barges will be put in place. The ship will ' emerge ' and this is how they load barges, cranes or other huge pieces of equipment. They will sail then at a very low speed, avoiding any kind of rough or stormy seas, to the port of destination.
