Days we miss the furious tides of River Hooghly

Most times in life, the people who reprimand us the most are the ones who love us the most and wish us well genuinely. A lot of my closest buddies are my harshest critics.

Well, TIDE is one such friend. River Hugli aka Ma Ganga aka Ganges, is much dreaded for her furious tides but I found a friend in this ferocious foe. Today being the Moon's last quarter phase, Tide is Neaping, as in .. Tide is very weak (Full moon and New moon phases the Tide is said to be Springing and strongest around those days).
I had to 'Back down' a 135m long Product Carrier (M.T. Sehat - a tanker) down from Budge Budge Moorings to the Lower part of Budge Budge Stream. When I had to depend more upon the tidal strength to make my life easier, there was no tidal strength which in turn resulted in the ship waddling all along the way and swinging/dancing around merrily to her own rhythm and much more shenanigans than when the tide is strong. It took me almost 1 hr 10 mins to back her down (moving a ship in reverse gear while facing the tide) a distance of just 1 Nautical Mile (1.852 km), meet two other ships and finally anchor. It also took much more engine movements than when the tide is in full fury.

Today was one of those days when I thanked the Mother Nature for being a furious lady. Like I said, the 'toughest to handle' people are actually those who make you better. Even the people we consider our worst enemies taught us an important life lesson, coz what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

(That's my ship looking calm and serene, only you and I know what went before this calm)

P.S. Handling the ship's manoeuvres becomes easier when the tide is strong and against your heading rather than tide in favour. Tide in favour is tide pushing u from behind, obviously your speed improves but control over her movements reduce.

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