CHAPTER 491: CHAPTER 343 "SMALL CASE

As Director Feng said, Han Yu was here to do miscellaneous tasks.

Due to the poorly fabricated dock pile, the transfer no longer went from Munich to Helsinki, but from Munich to Amsterdam instead.

The four leaders of the transport working group had just arrived from Saint Petersburg, meeting at the airport, they then rented a car and headed straight for the Dutch Shipping Company that was undertaking the submarine transportation.

Cosco’s Director Li had originally thought the company would send an experienced old Captain. He couldn’t believe that such a young man whom he had never heard of like Han Yu had been sent; it felt almost like the superiors were being frivolous. Yet being so far from home, it was both unrealistic and too late to request a substitution.

The two officers from the General Staff Equipment Department and the Navy’s Major General Chen Da didn’t say much, but their gazes towards Han Yu were somewhat peculiar.

Han Yu didn’t know how to explain himself, so he simply showed his ability through actions.

After arriving at the rented steel structure machining workshop of the Dutch Shipping Company, he met with the two domestic ship experts who had come earlier, checked the dock pile design by the Dutch experts, understood the shipping company’s planned loading scheme, changed into the work clothes he brought from his country, and first watched how the others worked before assisting them.

The others also spoke English, so there was no barrier in communication.

Working and chatting, they became friends in this way, and this afternoon, under the encouragement of the shipping company’s manager Mr. Hans, Han Yu independently operated the machine tools to fabricate the necessary parts for the dock pile.

Seeing Han Yu working passionately alongside the Dutch, laughing and chatting while working, Director Li could hardly believe his eyes.

"Master Liu, Xiao Han knows machining too!"

"I didn’t expect that. It’s good that he has technical knowledge, here only technical understanding can earn respect."

Just as Master Liu finished speaking, Master Chen, also a ship expert, exclaimed, "We were even more surprised when we first arrived. Mr. Hans was in a suit and using a computer to show us the dock pile design a few minutes ago, and the next moment he changed into work clothes and started using tools to work alongside another worker. He can do milling, planing, welding, and also operate forklifts and connect cables. I didn’t expect that you at Cosco would have such a talented individual, and so young too."

The shipping company undertaking the submarine transport was very small, with only one semi-submersible ship and eleven staff members, including the Captain.

Those working on the dock pile were not ordinary workers, but the company’s managers, Captain, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Chief Engineer, and sailors.

They knew everything and could do everything, but their income was also quite substantial.

Director Li didn’t expect that the young man sent by the company would integrate with the crew in such a manner, and in such a short time, and couldn’t help but show a knowing smile.

At that moment, the Dutch people began to rest after getting tired.

Han Yu joined the Dutch for a break, had a cup of coffee, ate some pastries, chatted a bit, and then came over with a smile.

Curious, Director Li asked, "Xiao Han, what did you chat about with them? You seemed so happy."

"About the bizarre things we’ve encountered at sea." Han Yu looked back at a big bearded man who was laughing heartily and added, "That’s the Chief Engineer. He lives on the ship at night and invited me to take a tour."

There are certain disciplines to follow when abroad. When in a group, one is not permitted to go out without permission.

Director Li subconsciously inquired, "To visit what?"

"Director Li, I haven’t even seen the ship yet. The dock pile will be nearly completed by tomorrow, then it will be installed, and after installation we’ll sail to the Finnish Bay. I need to take this opportunity to go aboard and have a look because I won’t be at ease without doing so."

"You know how to inspect a ship?"

"I originally studied marine engineering and later switched to naval navigation. I’ve served on a thirty thousand tonnage ocean-going freighter, and I even own a ship back home, although it’s of a smaller tonnage."

"You’re worried about the condition of the ship?"

Han Yu looked around and then said softly, "Master Liu and Master Chen mentioned that to ensure safety during transport, the submarine will be defueled after loading, which means that during the voyage the submarine is no different from a shipping container. If the semi-submersible encounters any problems, the submarine has no capacity for self-rescue, so I must understand the condition of the ship as soon as possible."

Trust those you employ, don’t doubt their abilities. Don’t employ those you doubt.

This saying is equally applicable overseas.

When you let others take the responsibility of transport, you have to trust they are professional.

But if you suggest an inspection out of the blue, of course, they won’t be pleased.

Yet, what is being transported is equipment valued at hundreds of millions of US dollars, after years of arduous negotiations for its introduction. Who could be at ease without inspecting the ship that is about to transport the submarine?

It was only after Han Yu spoke that Director Li began to realize, and Han Yu added, "Master Liu said that the submarine needs to recharge at Hanko Port after loading. Finland is indeed a friendly nation, but the semi-submersible ship isn’t Finnish. They have their own port regulations. As soon as the semi-submersible enters the port, it has to undergo PSC inspection.

If even a small problem is found during the inspection, their Marine department has the authority to detain the vessel and prevent it from leaving the port. An extra day in port or at the anchorage creates additional costs and delays our schedule."

Director Li had already considered this, but what good was consideration?

The semi-submersible was under their control, these matters were theirs to decide, besides, there was no one who understood these aspects before.

There were plenty of naval sailors, but at this moment they were headed towards the Finnish Bay, and even here, they wouldn’t understand these rules. After all, they were part of the Navy and not commercial ship crews; they’re used to patrolling and training in nearby seas, not understanding these regulations.

"It’s good to have a look. If there are problems, they need to be brought up, but the tone and wording should be diplomatic."

"I understand."

Han Yu thought for a moment and then reminded, "Director Li, we need to communicate about the submarine’s recharging with the port authorities in advance. Their port is a commercial one, not a naval port. They typically provide services like water and fueling up but don’t usually offer shore power services, and there might not even be a precedent. If not handled properly, they might refuse our entry to the port."