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Narrator: ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHIPS IN THE WORLD
HAS AN IMMENSE TASK AHEAD.
EMMA MAERSK HAS ONLY TWO WEEKS TO SAIL ACROSS THE GLOBE,
WITH A HALF-BILLION-DOLLAR CARGO.
SHE WILL SAIL THROUGH DANGEROUS SEAS.
Captain: WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING,
BUT WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF THE RISK DOING THAT.
Narrator: WHILE HER CREW WILL WORK OVERTIME
TO MAINTAIN THIS HIGH-TECH MARVEL...
Man: I PREFER ACTUALLY TO DO THE DANGEROUS PART MYSELF.
Narrator: WHATEVER IT TAKES, EMMA HAS TO ARRIVE ON TIME.
AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING.
IT'S ONE OF THE BUSIEST PORTS ON THE PLANET...
TANJUNG PELEPAS IN MALAYSIA.
IT'S THE LOADING POINT FOR MILLIONS OF CONTAINERS A YEAR,
FROM ASIA, BOUND FOR EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA.
THEY CARRY EVERYTHING FROM TVs TO T-SHIRTS,
FROZEN FISH TO FOOTWEAR,
CAMERAS TO COSMETICS.
Sheril Pelabuhan: TODAY IS A VERY HEAVY OPERATIONS.
WE HAVE SEVEN VESSELS ON BERTH
AND APPROXIMATELY WE ARE DOING ABOUT 10,000 CONTAINERS.
Narrator: BUT THE PORT'S NUMBER ONE JOB
IS TO LOAD ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SHIPS,
EMMA MAERSK.
1,300 FEET LONG, 20 STORIES TALL.
EMMA DWARFS EVERYTHING AROUND HER.
SHE CAN CARRY A WHOPPING 12,000 CONTAINERS.
A FREIGHT TRAIN WITH A LOAD THIS BIG
WOULD HAVE TO BE 43.5 MILES LONG.
ALL ON ONE MIGHTY STATE-OF-THE-ART SHIP.
HER UNIQUE SILHOUETTE IS ALL BOAT,
A SLEEK HULL, A SOARING SUPERSTRUCTURE AMIDSHIPS.
SHE'S CLEARLY BUILT FOR ONE PURPOSE--
TO MOVE ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF CARGO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WITHOUT THOSE BIG BOXES, EMMA IS AN EMPTY WAREHOUSE
WITH A "FOR LEASE" SIGN IN THE WINDOW.
IN JUST THREE HOURS SHE HAS TO BE LOADED AND GONE.
Pelabuhan: TODAY WE HAVE ABOUT 2,000 LOADING AND 250 DISCHARGE.
AND THE CHALLENGE WILL BE THAT
WE NEED TO SAIL OUT THIS VESSEL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Narrator: SHE'S GOT JUST 13 DAYS TO REACH SPAIN,
8,000 MILES AWAY.
THE BOXES HOLD HALF A BILLION DOLLARS' WORTH OF CARGO.
AND LATE DELIVERY IS NOT AN OPTION.
LIKE GIANT SPIDERS, SIX GANTRY CRANES
TIRELESSLY LOAD CONTAINERS ONTO EMMA.
EACH ONE WEIGHS OVER FIVE TONS.
AND THE BEST CRANE OPERATORS CAN LOAD 30 AN HOUR,
LOOKING DOWN FROM THEIR PERCH, 197 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.
EACH CRANE HAS A MANAGER
WHO CONFIRMS THAT THE RIGHT CONTAINERS
ARE BEING LOADED ONTO THE RIGHT SHIP.
IT'S VITAL THAT EVERY CONTAINER IS PLACED PROPERLY.
ON BOARD EMMA, THAT'S THE JOB OF SHIP'S OFFICERS REMUS GALIATOS
AND NIELS LARSEN.
Niels Larsen: IN THE FRONT, WE HAVE THE MOST DANGEROUS CARGO.
THAT WOULD BE ACIDS, FLAMMABLE.
IF WE HAVE FIREWORKS CLASS 1.4G, ALL THE WAY TO THE AFT.
SO THAT IF WE HAVE A POTENTIAL RISK ON THE VESSEL,
IT WILL BE AS FAR AWAY FROM THE LIVING QUARTERS, ACCOMMODATION,
AND ABOVE ALL, THE MAIN ENGINES.
Narrator: DANGEROUS CARGO AT THE BOW.
HIGH-MAINTENANCE, REFRIGERATED CARGO
CLOSER TO THE SUPERSTRUCTURE.
WEATHER-PRONE CONTAINERS PACKED WITH EXPENSIVE ELECTRONICS,
BELOW DECK.
A SHIFT COULD MEAN CATASTROPHE.
SO EVERY BOX MUST BE PLACED,
AND THEN PROPERLY SECURED TO GUARANTEE STABILITY.
ESPECIALLY IF THEY RUN INTO A TYPHOON.
UP ON THE BRIDGE,
FIRST OFFICER GALIATOS WEIGHS ALL THE FACTORS
THAT COULD DELAY EMMA.
RIGHT NOW IT'S MONSOON SEASON,
SO HE AND THE CAPTAIN HAVE TO PLAN THE VOYAGE CAREFULLY.
Jorgen Sonnichsen: HELLO, REMUS.
Remus Galiatos: HELLO, CAPTAIN.
Sonnichsen: SO, ARE WE READY FOR DEPARTURE?
Narrator: AFTER 16 YEARS OF PLANNING VOYAGES,
DANISH CAPTAIN JORGEN SONNICHSEN IS AN EXPERT.
IN FACT, HE WAS BORN FOR THIS JOB.
Sonnichsen: WE HAVE A HISTORY BACK IN DENMARK
FOR *** AND SEAFARERS,
ALL THE WAY BACK TO, ACTUALLY THE VIKING FIRST,
BUT THEN LATER ON TO THE BIG SAILING SHIPS.
SO YOU HAVE CHECKED ALL THE CHARTS IN PUBLICATION,
IT'S IN PLACE?
Galiatos: YES.
Narrator: AFTER LEAVING MALAYSIA,
EMMA'S NEXT DESTINATION IS THE SUEZ CANAL.
A NINE-DAY, NON-STOP VOYAGE OF 5,700 MILES.
AND SHE CAN'T BE LATE.
Sonnichsen: WE WILL DEPART THE PILOT STATION AROUND 1700.
AND THEN THE REQUIRED SPEED IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT SUEZ
WILL BE 22.7 KNOTS.
Galiatos: 22.7. Sonnichsen: OKAY?
Galiatos: YEAH. Sonnichsen: VERY GOOD.
Narrator: BASED ON WEATHER AND CURRENTS,
THEY DETERMINE THE MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT ROUTE.
THEY ALSO CONSIDER HUMAN RISKS,
LIKE 21st CENTURY PIRATES.
Sonnichsen: AND AGAIN,
WE HAVE MAKE THE TRACK NORTH OF SOCOTRA,
RIGHT, IN WATER, TO STAY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE
FROM THE SOMALIAN COAST.
Narrator: SHIPS TRY TO STEER CLEAR OF PIRATE ACTIVITY.
BUT THERE'S NO ESCAPE FROM THE STRAIT OF MALACCA.
IT'S THEIR ONLY ROUTE TO THE INDIAN OCEAN,
AND THE MOST ACTIVE AREA OF PIRACY IN THE WORLD.
Sonnichsen: WHAT HAVE THE CHIEF OFFICER TOLD YOU
ABOUT THE DEPARTURE TIME? HOW FAR ARE WE?
Galiatos: 1500.
Sonnichsen: 1500 STILL? Galiatos: MORE OR LESS, YEAH.
Sonnichsen: OKAY, AND WHAT TIME IS THE PILOT ORDER?
Galiatos: SAME, FOR 1500.
Narrator: FINALLY, LOADING IS COMPLETE.
AND TOGETHER, THE GANTRY CRANES PULL AWAY FROM THE SHIP.
15 STORIES ABOVE THE DOCK, CAPTAIN SONNICHSEN HAS
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THEIR DEPARTURE.
WITH HIM IS A LOCAL PILOT,
WHO, BY LAW, MUST HELP GUIDE EMMA SAFELY OUT OF PORT.
Sonnichsen: THANK YOU, AND TELL ME WHEN THE THRUSTERS ARE CLEAR.
ALRIGHT, PILOT, WE ARE GOING OUT.
Narrator: AND EMMA WILL NEED ALL THE HELP SHE CAN GET.
DEPARTING TANJUNG PELEPAS IN MALAYSIA IS ALWAYS TRICKY.
AND EMMA'S SIZE MEANS SHE FACES EXTRA HAZARDS IN THE HARBOR.
SHE HAS TO BE PULLED AWAY FROM THE DOCK AND TURNED 180 DEGREES
BEFORE SHE CAN START HER ENGINE.
TWO TUGBOATS ASSIST THE SHIP'S FOUR STARBOARD HULL THRUSTERS
THAT PUSH EMMA SIDEWAYS WITH POWERFUL JETS OF WATER.
THE HARBOR'S SHALLOW, MUDDY BOTTOM IS DREDGED CONSTANTLY.
BUT EMMA'S SIZE, WEIGHT AND DRAFT POSE A DEADLY RISK.
CONTACT WITH THE SOFT BOTTOM COULD RIP A HOLE IN THE HULL.
HER JOURNEY WOULD BE OVER BEFORE IT'S EVEN BEGUN.
CAPTAIN SONNICHSEN HAS TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS.
Sonnichsen: WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING,
BUT WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF THE RISK DOING THAT.
I'M JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING OURSELF
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FAIRWAY DUE TO OUR RESTRICTED DRAFT.
OKAY, SECOND, TELL ME WHEN THE PROPELLER IS CLEAR.
Narrator: EMMA COMPLETES THE TURN,
AND HER IMMENSE PROPELLER, 30 FEET IN DIAMETER,
AND WEIGHING ALMOST 130 TONS, CAN NOW GO TO WORK.
IF ALL GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN, IT WILL TURN FOR NINE MORE DAYS.
BUT THE SEA HAS PLANS OF ITS OWN.
AS EMMA LEAVES PORT, A MONSOON ROLLS IN,
TURNING THE VISIBILITY TO ALMOST ZERO.
Sonnichsen: I CAN'T SEE HER. NOT YET.
Pilot: 410. Man: 410.
Pilot: MIDSHIP. Man: MIDSHIP.
Pilot: STEADY AS SHE GOES, PLEASE.
Man: STEADY AS SHE GOES.
Narrator: THE MIST HIDES DOZENS OF SHIPS.
A COLLISION COULD SPELL DISASTER,
BUT EMMA'S NAVIGATION SYSTEM IDENTIFIES
THE POSITION OF EACH VESSEL.
Larsen: IT'S A BEACON EVERY SHIP HAS WITH THE NAME AND CALL SIGN
AND DATE OF THE E.T.A. AND WHERE THEY'RE GOING.
Narrator: 30 MINUTES LATER, AS THE MONSOON BLOWS BY,
EMMA FINALLY CLEARS THE PORT.
THE PILOT DISEMBARKS, AND SHE CAN NOW ACCELERATE
TO HER CRUISING SPEED OF 25 MILES AN HOUR.
WITH PIRATE-INFESTED WATERS DEAD AHEAD,
CHIEF OFFICER NIELS LARSEN HAS TO DO ALL HE CAN
TO SECURE HIS SHIP.
Larsen: WE'RE GOING THROUGH A PIRATE AREA TONIGHT.
Narrator: MODERN-DAY PIRATES DON'T STEAL CARGO,
THEY CAPTURE CREW FOR RANSOM.
Larsen: WE NEED TO RIG FOR PIRATE PRECAUTIONS.
Narrator: IN THE PAST MONTH,
THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR ATTACKS ON SMALLER SHIPS.
EMMA'S BEST DEFENSE IS HER SIZE,
BUT THE CREW STILL LASHES HIGH-PRESSURE WATER HOSES
TO HER RAILINGS.
THEY'RE NOT CANNONS, BUT THEY CAN SHOOT A BLAST OF WATER
HARD ENOUGH TO STOP A PIRATE IN HIS TRACKS.
AS EMMA ENTERS THE STRAIT OF MALACCA, SHE'S LOCKED UP TIGHT.
THE HOSES TURNED ON.
THE CREW WAITS OUT THE NIGHT.
NIGHT HAS COME AND GONE.
IT'S BEEN 24 HOURS SINCE EMMA MAERSK LEFT MALAYSIA.
THE PIRATES IN THE STRAIT OF MALACCA
STAYED AWAY FROM THE MASSIVE SHIP.
NOW SHE CHANGES COURSE,
AND HEADS WEST INTO THE VAST INDIAN OCEAN.
JUST FIVE DEGREES NORTH OF THE EQUATOR,
THE WEATHER IS HOT, HUMID AND UNPREDICTABLE.
CAPTAIN SONNICHSEN IS ALL TOO AWARE
THAT MOTHER NATURE IS HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE.
Sonnichsen: OKAY, WHAT ARE YOU CALLING VERY ROUGH?
THERE MUST BE SOME SWELL UP THERE.
Narrator: EMMA IS TOTALLY EXPOSED TO EXTREME CONDITIONS.
RIGHT NOW, THE SCORCHING TROPICAL SUN
IS HER BIGGEST ENEMY.
EMMA'S MOST DELICATE CARGO, PERISHABLE FOOD,
IS PACKED IN REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS CALLED REEFERS.
IF THEY LOSE POWER,
THEIR CONTENTS COULD SPOIL WITHIN HOURS.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND EMMA'S REPUTATION WOULD BE LOST.
ALL CONTAINERS MUST BE MONITORED CONSTANTLY.
EVERY DAY, NIELS LARSEN INSPECTS THE BOXES ON BOARD.
IT'S A GRUELING TASK, AS CADET RASMUS HOGENHAUG KNOWS.
HE'S LEARNING THE INS AND OUTS OF EMMA,
SO HE CAN BECOME AN OFFICER.
Rasmus Hogenhaug: I'M A DUAL CADET,
SO THAT MEANS I HAVE TO BE BOTH IN THE ENGINE AND ON DECK.
SO ON THIS BIG SHIP THERE'S MANY, MANY THINGS TO LEARN.
Narrator: THEY CHECK THAT THE CONTAINER STACKS
ARE STABLE AND SECURE,
THAT THE REEFERS, FULL OF EXOTIC FROZEN FOODS,
AREN'T MALFUNCTIONING,
THAT THE DANGEROUS CARGO,
LIKE FIREWORKS AND HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS, ARE SEALED AND SAFE.
PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF THEM, 60 MILES FROM LAND,
COULD PUT EMMA OUT OF BUSINESS.
BUT INSPECTING THE SHIP ISN'T EASY.
EMMA IS ENORMOUS.
THE DAILY CHECKUP IS NO STROLL IN THE PARK,
ESPECIALLY UNDER THE BLAZING EQUATORIAL SUN.
A SIMPLE WALK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SHIP IS A ONE-MILE HIKE.
AND A CLIMB UP THE SIX-STORY-TALL CONTAINER STACKS
IS LIKE SCALING A SMALL MOUNTAIN.
Larsen: SO, RAS, DON'T CLIMB DOWN
UNTIL I'M ALL THE WAY DOWN.
Hogenhaug: I'LL WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE CLEAR.
Larsen: THAT'S GOOD.
AND WATCH YOUR ELBOW.
Narrator: CHECKING ON THE CARGO BELOW DECK
IS A HARROWING SIX-STORY DESCENT INTO THE BOWELS OF THE SHIP.
IT'S DARK AND IT'S NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
Larsen: AND AGAIN, WHEN YOU'RE WALKING DOWN HERE,
WATCH THE GAPS.
YOU COULD ACTUALLY FALL IN BETWEEN.
RIGHT.
OKAY.
Narrator: AS CRITICAL AS THE CONTAINERS
ARE THE LINES HOLDING THEM IN PLACE.
IF THE STACKS ARE UNSTABLE, EMMA COULD CAPSIZE.
ALVIN SERRANILLA AND SAMMY ABONGAN
HAVE 40 YEARS AT SEA BETWEEN THEM.
THEY KNOW EMMA'S SIZE HELPS KEEP HER STABLE,
BUT THEY LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.
WHILE THE ABLE-BODIED *** SWEAT IT OUT IN THE HEAT,
THE REFRIGERATION UNITS WORK OVERTIME
TO KEEP THEIR CARGO COOL.
IT'S A CRUCIAL JOB, TOO,
AND ELECTRICIAN JOHN STEFFENSEN HAS TO MAKE SURE
THAT NOTHING GOES WRONG.
HE'S GOT 176 REEFERS TO BABYSIT.
EACH ONE IS PACKED WITH EXPENSIVE FOODS
LIKE CAVIAR, CHOCOLATE, AND NEW ZEALAND LAMB.
John Steffensen: YOU CAN SEE THE TEMPERATURE IS
MINUS 20 DEGREES CELSIUS.
SOME OF THEM CAN GO DOWN TO MINUS 35.
AND WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL REEFERS WE CALL THE SUPER FREEZER.
THEY GO DOWN TO MINUS 65 DEGREES CELSIUS.
Narrator: SENSORS MONITOR THE TEMPERATURES OF THE CONTAINERS.
TODAY, ONE OF THEM TRIGGERS AN ALARM IN THE UNIT,
AND IT'S RELAYED TO A COMPUTER TERMINAL IN THE CONTROL CENTER.
Steffensen: AND HERE, YOU SEE THERE IS AN ALARM.
I CAN GO AND HIGHLIGHT IT.
I CAN WATCH WHAT IS THE ALARM.
Narrator: IF IT'S SERIOUS, SOME OF EMMA'S VALUABLE COLD CARGO
COULD BE PUT IN JEOPARDY.
Steffensen: AND I CAN SEE THAT IT IS A MINOR FAULT.
SO THERE IS NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT.
Narrator: THE DANGEROUS CARGO CONTAINERS DON'T HAVE SENSORS.
BUT THEY GET A METICULOUS ONCE-OVER.
BECAUSE THEIR CONTENTS ARE TOXIC, SOMETIMES VOLATILE,
A TINY CRACK COULD LEAD TO A DEADLY EXPLOSION,
OR A POISON GAS LEAK.
DAY IN, DAY OUT, EMMA IS INSPECTED FROM BOW TO STERN,
TOP TO BOTTOM.
TODAY, AT LEAST ABOVE DECK, EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER.
BUT BELOW DECK, THERE'S MORE TO WORRY ABOUT
THAN JUST CONTAINERS.
IN THE CENTER OF THE SHIP, RIGHT BELOW THE SUPERSTRUCTURE,
SITS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST DIESEL ENGINES--
THE HEART OF EMMA MAERSK.
IT WEIGHS 2,300 TONS.
ITS 14 CYLINDERS PRODUCE 110,000 HORSEPOWER,
AS MUCH AS 1,100 CARS.
CHIEF ENGINEER MICHAEL SORT AND HIS TEAM HAVE ONE BIG JOB.
KEEP THE IMMENSE ENGINE RUNNING,
TO POWER THE MAMMOTH PROPELLER SHAFT
THAT TURNS THE GIANT PROPELLER.
Michael Sort: WE'RE RIGHT NOW IN THE SHAFT TUNNEL
OF THE EMMA MAERSK.
WE ARE WALKING NEXT TO THE SHAFT.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THE SHAFT IS ROTATING.
IT'S ROTATING AT 84 RPMs,
THE SAME SPEED AS THE PROPELLER IS IN THE WATER.
Narrator: FROM THE COUPLING AT THE MAIN ENGINE,
ALL THE WAY TO THE STERN,
THE PROPELLER SHAFT IS 394 FEET LONG.
AND AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IS EMMA'S MASSIVE PROPELLER.
FOR THE NEXT EIGHT DAYS AND 5,600 MILES,
EMMA'S ONE AND ONLY PROPELLER MUST TURN CONSTANTLY,
IF SHE'S GOING TO REACH THE SUEZ CANAL ON SCHEDULE.
HER ENGINE CREW HAS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES.
THEY'LL USE HIGH-TECH WIZARDRY--
OVER 8,000 SENSORS THAT MONITOR EVERYTHING FROM FUEL CONSUMPTION
AND EXHAUST EMISSIONS, TO THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL 14 CYLINDERS.
THEY'LL BACK THAT UP THE OLD FASHIONED WAY,
WITH ROUTINE ENGINE MAINTENANCE.
BUT AT SEA, NOTHING IS EVER ROUTINE.
A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE ENGINE,
ONE OF ITS MASSIVE DIESEL GENERATORS, HAS JUST FAILED.
Sort: WELL, THIS GENERATOR IS VERY IMPORTANT.
IT'S ONE OUT OF FIVE.
AND THEY ARE USED TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY AND POWER
TO OUR REFRIGERATED CARGO.
Narrator: THE REEFERS ARE IN DANGER.
THE GENERATOR MUST BE REPAIRED,
AND THE CREW HAS ONLY A FEW HOURS TO FIX IT.
THE TROPICAL HEAT IS INTENSE.
THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF REFRIGERATED CARGO AT STAKE,
AND EMMA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
EMMA MAERSK IS ENGULFED
IN THE SEARING HEAT OF THE INDIAN OCEAN,
CARRYING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FROZEN FOOD.
AND SHE JUST LOST ONE OF HER GENERATORS.
Sort: IN THIS ROOM, WE HAVE TWO DIESEL GENERATORS
OF 4,100 KILOWATT.
WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLER.
Narrator: THE COOLER, OR CONDENSER,
KEEPS THE GENERATOR FROM OVERHEATING.
TO FIX IT, THEY HAVE TO SHUT IT DOWN.
PROBLEM IS, EMMA'S OTHER GENERATORS
CAN ONLY PICK UP THE SLACK FOR A FEW HOURS.
THEN THE STRESS WILL BECOME TOO GREAT.
EMMA MAY HAVE TO SLOW DOWN.
SO THE ENGINEERS HAVE TO MOVE FAST.
Sort: SO AS YOU CAN SEE NOW HERE,
WE'VE GOT THE COOLER PRETTY MUCH ALL THE WAY OUT.
WE JUST NEED TO LIFT IT OUT.
SO, OF COURSE, WE TAKE PRECAUTIONS.
WE CAN'T HAVE AIR ON, ALL THE COOLING WATER IS SHUT OFF.
AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.
WE ARE ALL SET TO PULL IT OUT.
Narrator: EVERYTHING ON BOARD RELIES ON THE GENERATORS
TO OPERATE, FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE BRIDGE,
FROM THE NAVIGATION AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS,
TO HEATING, LIGHTS, AND ESPECIALLY REFRIGERATION.
WITHOUT POWER, THE REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS WILL BAKE IN THE SUN.
AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS' WORTH OF FOOD COULD SPOIL.
EMMA IS JUST FIVE DEGREES NORTH OF THE EQUATOR,
310 MILES OFF THE SOUTH COAST OF SRI LANKA.
AND IT'S HOT.
89 DEGREES ON DECK,
AND IN THE ENGINE ROOM, 104 DEGREES.
THE CONDENSER WEIGHS MORE THAN 882 POUNDS.
IN THE BLASTING HEAT, IT FEELS LIKE A TON.
SIX HOURS GO BY.
SIX HOURS OF SWEAT AND TOIL.
BUT AT THE END OF IT, THE GENERATOR IS BACK ON LINE.
THE COLD CONTAINERS ARE SAFE,
AND THE GENERATORS ARE STILL PUMPING POWER
THROUGHOUT THE SHIP.
THAT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE GALLEY,
WHERE DINNER IS JUST ABOUT TO BE SERVED.
Jan Moller: FOR APPETIZER, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE...
Narrator: JAN MOLLER HAS BEEN A CHIEF STEWARD FOR 25 YEARS
AND KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO FEED A HUNGRY CREW.
Moller: THE KITCHEN IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ON THE SHIP.
IF YOU HAVE A LOUSY COOK AND LOUSY FOOD,
THEN THE SHIP IS NOT RUNNING PROPER.
Narrator: TODAY, JAN AND HIS CREW
ARE PREPARING A SPECIAL MEAL.
IT'S SATURDAY, THE SYMBOLIC END OF THE WORK WEEK,
EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A DAY OFF AT SEA.
WORKING ON A SHIP IS A REAL FULL-TIME JOB.
EIGHT WEEKS ON, EIGHT WEEKS OFF.
Moller: IT'S A PART OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ABOARD THE SHIP
TO MAKE SOMETHING WENT LIKE THIS.
PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, THAT'S FOR SURE.
Narrator: CREATURE COMFORTS LIKE GOOD FOOD AND A SOFT BED
AREN'T JUST PERKS, THEY'RE NECESSITIES.
SPECIAL MEALS, AND DRINKS LIKE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER,
HELP DISTRACT THE CREW FROM THE STRESS AND MONOTONY
OF LIFE AT SEA.
AFTER DINNER, OFF-DUTY CREW HEAD UPSTAIRS
INTO THE SUPERSTRUCTURE,
TO RELAX IN ONE OF THE SHIP'S RECREATION AREAS,
OR IN THEIR QUARTERS.
LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE, THERE'S A HIERARCHY ON THE HIGH SEAS.
THE CAPTAIN AND CHIEF ENGINEER GET THE PENTHOUSE SUITES.
THEN, IT'S THE SENIOR OFFICERS, JUNIOR OFFICERS,
ENGINEERS, ***, AND CADETS.
IN ALL, THERE'S ROOM FOR 30.
THERE ARE ALSO TWO TV ROOMS, AN INTERNET CAFE,
A FULL GYMNASIUM, AND OF COURSE, THE LAUNDRY ROOM.
FOR A SAILOR, LIFE ON BOARD EMMA ISN'T BAD.
BUT THEY ARE AT SEA.
AND SOMETIMES THINGS GO WRONG.
[FIRE ALARM]
A FIRE ALARM AT SEA IS A CHILLING SOUND.
EMMA MAY BE A TOUGH SHIP TO SINK,
BUT A FIRE COULD BRING DISASTER.
THIS TIME IT'S ONLY A DRILL.
THE CREW MUSTERS IN THE CONTROL CENTER.
Larsen: WE HAVE A REPORTED FIRE...
Narrator: NOBODY HAS EVER FOUGHT A FIRE ON A SHIP EMMA'S SIZE.
SO TRAINING FOR ONE IS CRUCIAL.
IN THIS DRILL, THE FIRE IS LOCATED
IN A DANGEROUS CARGO CONTAINER AT THE BOW.
POISONOUS FUMES COULD SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SHIP.
EVERY FIRE IS DIFFERENT.
UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW TO FIGHT THIS ONE,
AN ADVANCE TEAM IS ORGANIZED
TO COOL THE CONTAINER AND CONTROL THE FIRE.
Larsen: I NEED YOU TO PREPARE A SET OF HOSES FROM HERE
AND START COOLING AS SOON AS YOU CAN UP HERE.
AND YOU HAVE A RADIO?
Steffensen: YES, I HAVE IT HERE.
Narrator: UP ON THE BRIDGE,
THE FIRST OFFICER CHANGES EMMA'S COURSE,
SO THE WIND WILL DIRECT SMOKE AND FUMES AWAY FROM THE SHIP.
Man on radio: SO THE FIRE IS IN THE STARBOARD SIDE,
AND WE ARE ON THE LEE SIDE.
Larsen: PLEASE ALTER YOUR COURSE TO PORT
SO THE WIND WILL BLOW TO THE PORT SIDE.
Man on radio: ROGER THAT.
WE'LL ALTER THE COURSE SO THE WIND WILL BLOW
FROM THE STARBOARD TO THE PORT.
Narrator: DOWN BELOW, THE FIRE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.
IT IS A TOXIC CHEMICAL FIRE.
TO FIGHT IT, A SMOKE TEAM THROWS ON GEAR
THAT WILL PROTECT THEM FROM THE FIRE AND THE POISONOUS FUMES,
WHILE THE ADVANCE TEAM MOVES FORWARD.
Larsen: I HAVE SIX GUYS DISPATCHED
FOR THE BAY NUMBER SIX TO PREPARE THREE HOSES ALL IN ALL,
TWO FOR COOLING
AND ONE FOR THE CONTAINER FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
Narrator: WITH NO TIME TO LOSE, NIELS RUSHES FORWARD
TO OBSERVE THE FIRE DRILL.
Larsen: WE WILL PUT ON THE HOSE.
WE WILL HAVE A LOOSE HOSE WITHOUT PRESSURE.
JOHN, WHERE'S THE HOSE WITHOUT PRESSURE?
Narrator: WHEN THE SMOKE TEAM GETS TO THE FIRE,
THE ADVANCE TEAM IS ALREADY HOSING THE CONTAINER DOWN
WITH SEA WATER.
THE SMOKE TEAM APPROACHES CAUTIOUSLY.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
BUT THEY'RE TRAINED TO STAY LOW,
TO KEEP BELOW THE SMOKE AND TOXIC FUMES.
A STEEL PLATE STANDS IN FOR THE SIDE OF THE BURNING CONTAINER.
THEY DRILL A HOLE IN IT WITH A HIGH-SPEED DRILL,
AND INSERT A HIGH-PRESSURE WATER HOSE CALLED A SPIKE.
Larsen: WE HAVE A HOLE IN THE CONTAINER, BRIDGE,
AND WE HAVE PRESSURE ON THE SPIKE.
Narrator: IN SECONDS IT'S OVER.
THE SPIKE DOES ITS JOB, SPRAYING THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE BOX.
THE FIRE IS OUT, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO COOL THINGS DOWN,
JUST IN CASE.
THE CREW IS HOT, EXHAUSTED.
BUT IF THERE'S EVER A REAL FIRE,
THIS TRAINING COULD SAVE THEIR LIVES.
Larsen: I WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU GUYS.
YOU DID A REALLY NICE AND SERIOUS EFFORT,
AND IF WE HAVE THAT KIND OF EFFORT DURING A LIVE SITUATION,
I WOULD BE PROUD TO WORK WITH YOU.
Narrator: TODAY WAS JUST PRACTICE.
TOMORROW, CHIEF OFFICER LARSEN WILL PUT ON ANOTHER OXYGEN MASK,
AND DESCEND INTO A VOID FULL OF POISON GAS.
ONLY THIS TIME, IT WON'T BE A DRILL.
SIX DAYS INTO HER VOYAGE FROM ASIA TO EUROPE,
EMMA MAERSK IS DEEP IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
SEA CONDITIONS ARE PERFECT,
WHICH ALLOWS SOME OF EMMA'S CREW TO EMBARK
ON A DANGEROUS OPERATION DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE SHIP.
THE BILGE TANKS, FULL OF GASES THAT COULD KILL IN SECONDS,
HAVE TO BE INSPECTED FOR CRACKS.
LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIP,
BILGE TANKS STORE LIQUID WASTE--
RAIN, WATER, OIL, DIESEL, DETERGENTS, AND CHEMICALS.
THE TANKS NEED TO BE CHECKED CONSTANTLY FOR LEAKS.
AND BECAUSE EMMA IS SO NEW, HER TANKS ARE UNIQUE.
THEY'RE POISONOUS.
Larsen: THE NEW PAINT, FRESH PAINT,
GIVES CARBON MONOXIDE WHEN IT DRIES UP.
IN THAT TIME, WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF FUMES BUILDING,
AND THEY WILL TEND TO WANT TO FALL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM.
Sort: IT'S TOUGH BREATHING,
AND YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT THE CARBON MONOXIDE,
AND EVENTUALLY, YOU WOULD PASS OUT
AND YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT, REALLY.
SO WE TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.
Narrator: TODAY, NIELS AND MICHAEL WILL DESCEND
INTO A FOREBODING HOLE THAT LEADS TO THE BILGE TANK
KNOWN AS "THE VOID."
THEY VENTURE DOWN WITH OXYGEN TANKS.
THEY'LL NEED THEM TO SURVIVE IN THE DARK, HOT LABYRINTH
OF STEEL BULKHEADS AND NOXIOUS GASES.
IT'S A HAZARDOUS ASSIGNMENT,
SO ONLY NIELS WILL CLIMB DOWN ALL THE WAY.
MICHAEL STAYS ONE LEVEL ABOVE AND WAITS,
JUST IN CASE.
Larsen: MICHAEL WILL BE HAVING THE RADIO,
AND I WILL BRING ONE WITH ME DOWN THE VOID.
AND HE WILL HAVE CONTACT WITH THE BRIDGE,
I WILL LET HIM KNOW HOW MANY LEVELS I GO DOWN,
SO HE KNOWS WHERE TO FIND ME IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
[RADIO CHATTER]
Narrator: IT'S A SUFFOCATING 104 DEGREES DOWN THERE.
THE HEAT AND THE HEAVY OXYGEN TANKS
MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY DOWN FOR LONG.
WHEN THEY EMERGE, THEIR GAS METER READS OFF THE SCALE.
THE SAFE MAXIMUM IS 20 PARTS PER MILLION OF CARBON MONOXIDE.
THE METER READS 102.
WITHOUT OXYGEN, TWO OF EMMA'S MOST IMPORTANT OFFICERS
WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD IN 30 SECONDS.
Larsen: I PREFER ACTUALLY TO DO THE DANGEROUS PART MYSELF.
I FEEL GOOD THAT I TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY
AND THAT MY CREW IS SAFE.
Sort: I AGREE WITH NIELS.
YOU HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF IN ORDER TO DELEGATE IT TO OTHERS.
Larsen: THAT'S OUR JOB AS OFFICERS.
Narrator: SAFETY FIRST IS A PRACTICE THAT EXTENDS BEYOND
THE WELL-BEING OF EMMA'S CREW.
TRAVELING WEST, STILL FAR FROM LAND,
EMMA IS CAREFUL NOT TO HARM THE FRAGILE OCEAN ECOSYSTEM.
IN DEEP OCEAN, FAR FROM THE PUBLIC EYE,
SHIPS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR DUMPING THEIR BILGE TANKS.
IT'S SHOCKING AND ILLEGAL.
BUT ALL SHIPS ARE ALLOWED TO THROW SOME GARBAGE OVERBOARD
AS LONG AS THEY'RE MORE THAN 25 MILES FROM SHORE.
BUT EMMA DOESN'T THROW ANYTHING OVER THE SIDE.
SHE STORES ALL HER GARBAGE ON BOARD.
DUMPING BILGE OR GARBAGE IS A HUGE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM.
BUT THE CARBON EMISSIONS THAT SHIPS PUMP INTO THE ATMOSPHERE
IS AN EVEN BIGGER WORRY.
IN FACT, COMMERCIAL SHIPPING IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RELEASING
MORE CARBON INTO THE AIR THAN TRUCKS AND JETS COMBINED.
EXCEPT FOR EMMA.
SHE HAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST DIESEL ENGINES IN THE WORLD.
BUT SHE IS MORE FUEL EFFICIENT AND EMITS LESS EXHAUST
THAN A VESSEL HALF HER SIZE.
WHEN THEY BUILT THIS BIG SHIP, THEY BUILT HER ECO-FRIENDLY.
SHE'S GOT ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE, STATE-OF-THE-ART
WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD.
THE SYSTEM RECYCLES THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF GAS
THE ENGINE EXHAUSTS OUT, MIXES IT WITH FRESH AIR,
AND THEN SENDS IT BACK INTO THE ENGINE TO BE REUSED.
RECYCLING EXHAUST GASES CAN SAVE UP TO 10% OF THE ENGINE'S POWER.
THAT'S ENOUGH ENERGY FOR 5,000 HOMES.
IN THE ENGINE ROOM,
MICHAEL AND CADET ANDERS MORTENSON
MONITOR THE SYSTEM.
Sort: AS YOU CAN SEE HERE,
WE ARE RUNNING WITH A 7.3% WASTE HEAT RECOVERY.
AND OF COURSE, THAT REDUCES OUR FUEL CONSIDERABLY.
IT RESULTS IN YOU ARE ABLE TO THROTTLE DOWN.
Anders Mortenson: SO IT'S ONLY A BETTER FUEL ECONOMY?
Sort: YES, YOU ARE IMPROVING ON THE FUEL ECONOMY.
YOU COULD SAY THAT WE ARE OPERATING A VESSEL
VERY GREEN, YEAH.
Narrator: EMMA'S CARBON FOOTPRINT IS MADE EVEN SMALLER
BY THE SILICONE COATING ON HER HULL.
IT'S NEW AND IT MAKES HER SO STREAMLINED
THAT SHE SAVES ANOTHER 1,200 TONS OF FUEL EVERY YEAR.
A JUMBO JET CARRYING THE SAME WEIGHT AS EMMA
WOULD TRAVEL ONLY HALF A MILE.
USING THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUEL, EMMA COULD TRAVEL 66.
AND THIS BIG SHIP HOLDS A LOT MORE THAN A JET.
SHE'S CARRYING 12,000 CONTAINERS.
Sonnichsen: THE LAST GENERATION OF CONTAINER VESSEL
WAS ABLE TO CARRY 7,000 CONTAINERS.
THEIR FUEL CONSUMPTION IS A LITTLE BIT LESSER THAN OURS,
BUT NOT AS MUCH, AS WE CAN CARRY ALMOST TWICE THE CARGO.
Narrator: EFFICIENT SHE MAY BE, BUT THAT WON'T HELP EMMA
WHEN SHE HITS THE SUEZ CANAL IN A FEW DAYS.
THEN SHE'LL BE AT THE MERCY OF A NARROW WATERWAY
FAMOUS FOR ITS BOTTLENECKS.
IF EMMA IS DELAYED IN ONE,
THE CREW WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO GET HER TO SPAIN ON TIME.
EMMA MAERSK HAS SAILED ACROSS THE VAST INDIAN OCEAN
IN JUST SEVEN DAYS.
SHE'S REACHED THE GULF OF ADEN,
NOW WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF THE SUEZ CANAL.
NEXT, SHE'LL MAKE A HARD RIGHT TURN INTO THE RED SEA,
THROUGH THE STRAIT OF BAB-EL-MANDEB,
ARABIC FOR "THE GATE OF TEARS."
IT'S ONLY 13 MILES WIDE-- NOT MUCH ROOM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
OVER THREE MILLION BARRELS OF OIL
PASS THROUGH THE STRAIT EVERY DAY.
SHE MAKES IT THROUGH ON SCHEDULE.
BUT WHEN SHE TURNS NORTH INTO THE RED SEA,
EMMA SAILS INTO STRONG GALE FORCE WINDS
WHIPPED UP ON THE DESERTS OF EGYPT AND SAUDI ARABIA.
Sonnichsen: IT SEEMS LIKE THE WINDS ARE PICKING UP.
Larsen: YEAH. Sonnichsen: HOW ARE WE DOING?
Larsen: WE ARE DOING FINE. THE REQUIRED SPEED IS MET.
Sonnichsen: OKAY.
Narrator: EMMA HAS NO PROBLEM FIGHTING THE WIND.
BUT TECHNICAL PROBLEMS TAKE HER BY SURPRISE.
A PISTON ROD HAS SNAPPED IN HALF
INSIDE ONE OF THE ENGINE'S 14 MASSIVE CYLINDERS.
Sort: OUR EXCELLENT MOTOR MAN, HE OBSERVED THAT A NUT WAS LOOSE
ON THIS PARTICULAR BOLT HERE.
Narrator: THE PISTON ROD DRIVES THE CYLINDER HEAD UP AND DOWN,
TO PRODUCE POWER FOR THE ENGINE.
IF THEY DON'T FIX IT, THERE COULD BE BIG PROBLEMS.
A DAMAGED CYLINDER COULD FORCE EMMA TO SLOW DOWN.
AND RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE IN HEAVY SEAS
ONLY 125 MILES FROM THE SUEZ.
Sort: WE COULD HAVE CONTINUED,
BUT IT WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY RESULTED
IN A DAMAGED CYLINDER HEAD.
WE DECIDED, WHY NOT REPLACE IT WHILE WE'RE SAILING?
Narrator: BUT IT'S NOT EASY.
THE ENGINEERS NEED TO SHUT THE CYLINDER DOWN
AND REROUTE ITS FUEL.
AND THEY'LL HAVE TO ADJUST THE POWER LOADS IN THE OTHER 13.
THE PISTON ROD THEY'RE REPLACING IS A 20-FOOT, 882-POUND MONSTER,
AND IMPOSSIBLE TO LIFT OR MANIPULATE BY HAND.
BUT THEY FIX IT.
IN LESS THAN AN HOUR, THE NEW ONE'S IN.
NUMBER 14 IS BACK UP.
AND EMMA NEVER LOST SPEED AND DIDN'T BURN ANY EXTRA FUEL.
Sort: NO STOPS, NOTHING, AND EVERYTHING WAS DONE SAFE,
AND THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT.
Narrator: ONCE AGAIN, EMMA HAS DODGED A PROBLEM,
AND SHE HASN'T LOST ANY TIME.
IT'S CRITICAL THAT EMMA GETS TO THE SUEZ ON TIME.
100 SHIPS A DAY PASS THROUGH THE CANAL.
BUT IT'S SO NARROW,
THEY CAN ONLY TRAVEL IN ONE DIRECTION AT A TIME.
THEY GO IN CONVOYS OF UP TO 30 SHIPS.
IF EMMA MISSES HER CONVOY,
HER HALF-BILLION-DOLLAR CARGO COULD BE LATE.
BUT RIGHT ON TIME, AT 1:00 A.M.,
THE BIG SHIP ARRIVES AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE SUEZ.
HER CONVOY THROUGH THE CANAL IS DUE TO LEAVE AT FIRST LIGHT.
TONIGHT, SHE'LL REST.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST 5,000 NAUTICAL MILES,
THE CAPTAIN ORDERS EMMA TO SLOW DOWN.
SHE'S BEEN GOING FOR NINE DAYS.
Sonnichsen: REDUCE TO SLOW AHEAD.
Man: SLOW AHEAD.
Narrator: THEY LOOK FOR A PARKING SPOT FOR A MONSTER SHIP.
Sonnichsen: WE ARE GOING TO STAY AT ANCHORAGE NUMBER 27,
THAT'S THIS ONE.
THAT'S A GOOD POSITION, A VERY GOOD POSITION.
Narrator: EMMA'S BEEN GIVEN AN OUTSIDE BERTH.
NOW, SHE DROPS HER 130-TON ANCHOR,
ONE 440-POUND LINK AT A TIME.
Sonnichsen: REMUS, PLEASE LET GO PORT ANCHOR,
FIVE SHACKLES ON DECK.
Galiatos: FIVE SHACKLES ON DECK, PORT ANCHOR.
BRIDGE, REMUS, WE HAVE FIVE SHACKLES ON DECK.
CHAIN IS UP AND DOWN.
Sonnichsen: OKAY, THEN YOU PUT THE BRAKE ON
AND SEE WHETHER THE ANCHOR IS HOLDING.
AND THEN WE CAN PUT THE BARS ON.
Galiatos: ROGER THAT.
Narrator: THE ANCHOR HOLDS, AND EMMA IS SECURE FOR THE NIGHT.
ALL THEY CAN DO NOW IS WAIT FOR TOMORROW.
WITH THE RISING OF THE HOT DESERT SUN,
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUEZ CANAL CAN FINALLY BE SEEN.
DOZENS OF SHIPS OF EVERY SHAPE, SIZE AND NATIONALITY
ARE WAITING TO CONVOY NORTH.
140 YEARS AGO, THE ONLY WAY TO EUROPE WAS AROUND AFRICA.
A 7,450-MILE-LONG JOURNEY THAT TOOK THREE MONTHS!
NOW, IT TAKES JUST 12 HOURS,
THROUGH THE 100-MILE-LONG SUEZ CANAL.
WHEN IT OPENED FOR BUSINESS IN 1869,
IT WAS THE MOST STRATEGIC WATERWAY IN THE WORLD.
IT STILL IS.
BUT TODAY, THERE'S A PROBLEM.
A VICIOUS STORM HAS BACKED UP TRAFFIC SOUTHBOUND,
AND THE NORTHBOUND CONVOY CAN'T GET THROUGH.
[RADIO CHATTER]
ONE HOUR PASSES, THEN ANOTHER AND ANOTHER.
ALL THE CREW CAN DO IS MONITOR THE RADIO AND WATCH THE HARBOR.
IT'S LIKE WAITING FOR A POT TO BOIL.
FINALLY, A SOUTHBOUND CONVOY APPEARS.
THE CANAL IS CLEAR AT LAST,
READY FOR EMMA'S NORTHBOUND CONVOY.
THE SIGHT OF PILOTS BEING DROPPED OFF AT EACH SHIP
IS THE SIGNAL SHE'S BEEN WAITING FOR.
TIME TO WEIGH ANCHOR...
ALMOST FIVE HOURS LATE.
BUT AT A CONTROLLED SPEED OF JUST SIX MILES AN HOUR,
THE SUEZ STILL CAN'T BE RUSHED.
19th CENTURY CANAL BUILDERS
NEVER IMAGINED A SHIP AS BIG AS EMMA.
HER 184-FOOT BEAM IS A TIGHT SQUEEZE.
THE CONVOY OF SHIPS STRETCHES ALMOST THREE MILES.
EMMA, THE LARGEST AND LONGEST, TAKES UP THE REAR POSITION.
FOUR HOURS IN,
THE CONVOY PASSES THROUGH MAN-MADE GREAT BITTER LAKE.
THE LAKE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CANAL'S DESIGN--
AN ANCHORAGE FOR CONVOYS WAITING FOR ANOTHER TO PASS.
BY SUNSET EMMA IS STILL ONLY THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY
THROUGH THE CANAL.
THE DESERT EVENING IS BEAUTIFUL.
BUT TO CAPTAIN SONNICHSEN,
IT'S JUST ANOTHER REMINDER THAT HE'S NOW BEHIND SCHEDULE.
THERE ARE CLIENTS IN SPAIN RELYING ON HIM,
LIVELIHOODS THAT DEPEND ON THE GOODS HE'S DELIVERING.
HE HAS TO FIND A WAY TO GET THERE ON TIME.
EMMA MAERSK HAS FINALLY REACHED THE OPEN WATERS
OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
BUT HER PASSAGE THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL
WAS FRAUGHT WITH DELAYS.
NOW THERE'S A HICCUP IN HER SCHEDULE.
THE HOLDUP IN SUEZ PUT EMMA BEHIND
FOR THE FIRST TIME ON HER JOURNEY.
ALGECIRAS, SPAIN, IS STILL ABOUT 2,100 MILES TO THE WEST.
THE BIG SHIP WILL HAVE TO BURN MORE FUEL
IN ORDER TO SPEED UP AND GET THERE ON TIME.
CAPTAIN SONNICHSEN HAS TO FIGURE OUT
JUST HOW MUCH FASTER EMMA NEEDS TO GO.
HE ANALYZES EVERYTHING FROM OCEAN CURRENTS TO HEADWINDS
TO CALCULATE A NEW SPEED.
Sonnichsen: GOOD MORNING, THIS IS THE CAPTAIN.
PLEASE ADJUST TO 95 RPM.
Man: 95 RPM.
Narrator: THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 11 RPM.
SHE'LL BURN MORE FUEL, BUT EMMA IS BACK ON TRACK.
THREE DAYS LATER, A LANDMARK.
THE GREAT ROCK OF GIBRALTAR,
GATEWAY TO THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN.
Sonnichsen: WE ARE JUST ON TRACK AND ON SCHEDULE, YES.
I WILL REDUCE TO 60 RPM.
Narrator: ALGECIRAS IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST PORTS IN EUROPE,
AND ONE OF THE TOUGHEST TO NAVIGATE.
ITS FIERCE CURRENTS AND SWIRLING WINDS ARE TREACHEROUS.
THEY'RE COOKED UP WHERE THE SEA FUNNELS THROUGH
THE TIGHT STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR,
WHERE THE MEDITERRANEAN MEETS THE ATLANTIC.
IT'S ONLY EIGHT MILES WIDE.
A HALF-SUNKEN BULK CARRIER IS A GRIM REMINDER
OF HOW PERILOUS THESE WATERS CAN BE.
Sonnichsen: I WILL MAKE IT A HALF AHEAD NOW.
Galiatos: HALF AHEAD.
Sonnichsen: THERE IS A REALLY STRONG CURRENT
AROUND THESE WATERS.
AND YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU APPROACH THIS GIBRALTAR.
REDUCE TO SLOW AHEAD.
Galiatos: SLOW AHEAD.
Sonnichsen: OKAY, HELMSMAN,
PLEASE TAKE OVER THE WHEEL NOW FOR HEADING 325.
Helmsman: 325.
Sonnichsen: THANK YOU.
Narrator: TRAFFIC PICKS UP.
A BULK CARRIER IS TRYING TO LEAVE THE HARBOR,
AND SHE'S ABOUT TO BECOME A REAL PROBLEM FOR EMMA.
Galiatos: YEAH, MOTOR VESSEL CADMUS,
THIS EMMA MAERSK ON YOUR PORT BOW,
WE WOULD LIKE TO PASS AHEAD OF YOU, I SEE YOU ARE SPEEDING UP.
Man on radio: I'M ALTERING MY COURSE TO STARBOARD NOW.
Sonnichsen: STARBOARD?
Narrator: EMMA IS TOO BIG.
SHE CAN'T CHANGE COURSE QUICKLY ENOUGH.
THE OTHER SHIP HAS TO GIVE WAY OR RISK A COLLISION.
Galiatos: WE WON'T HAVE TIME TO PASS,
WE DON'T HAVE SPACE TO PASS ASTERN OF YOU,
SO THE ONLY POSSIBILITY IS TO PASS AHEAD OF YOU.
Sonnichsen: MAKE IT HALF AHEAD.
Narrator: ONLY MOMENTS TO SPARE,
AND THE BULK CARRIER CHANGES COURSE.
[RADIO CHATTER]
Sonnichsen: OKAY, MIDSHIP.
Galiatos: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MOTOR VESSEL CADMUS.
Sonnichsen: STEADY ON 318.
Narrator: IT COULD HAVE BEEN UGLY.
INSTEAD, GOOD MANNERS AND GOOD SEAMANSHIP
RESOLVED A TIGHT FIT.
BUT THE CLOCK IS TICKING.
IT TOOK EMMA MORE THAN AN HOUR TO TRAVEL HALF A MILE.
Larsen: PILOT BOAT IS ON THE WAY IN.
Narrator: AS EMMA MANEUVERS SLOWLY, A PILOT COMES ON BOARD.
HE'LL HELP GUIDE THE SHIP INTO HER BERTH,
WHILE THE TUGBOATS MAKE SURE EMMA MEETS HER DOCKING SCHEDULE.
Pilot: WHAT'S THE SPEED NOW, CAPTAIN?
Sonnichsen: THE SPEED IS 2.8.
Pilot: OKAY, FINE.
DEAD SLOW AHEAD.
Sonnichsen: DEAD SLOW AHEAD.
Narrator: EMMA MAKES HER FINAL TURN,
THE CAPTAIN AND PILOT MOVE TO THE STARBOARD BRIDGE WING
TO OVERSEE HER FINAL APPROACH.
EMMA USES ALL HER PORT THRUSTERS,
AND SHE'S PUSHED HARD BY TUGS FORE AND AFT.
FOOT BY FOOT, SHE EDGES CLOSER TO THE DOCK.
Man on radio: CAPTAIN, ARE WE IN POSITION?
Sonnichsen: NEGATIVE.
WE STILL HAVE TO MOVE A FEW METERS AHEAD.
Pilot: ABOUT 15, CAPTAIN.
Sonnichsen: 15.
OKAY, WE ARE ALONGSIDE AND WE ARE IN POSITION.
Narrator: FINALLY, EMMA'S SPRING LINES
ARE READY TO BE DISCHARGED.
Sonnichsen: OKAY. STOP ENGINE.
OKAY.
Sonnichsen: ALRIGHT, GENTLEMEN,
WE ARE IN POSITION AND WE'RE ALONGSIDE.
SO AS SOON AS YOU HAVE THE SPRING LINES,
PLEASE TIGHTEN THEM UP.
NICE JOB, PILOT.
Narrator: EMMA TOUCHES THE DOCK, RIGHT ON SCHEDULE.
IT'S BEEN 14 DAYS AND OVER 8,000 MILES
SINCE SHE LEFT MALAYSIA.
THE GIANT GANTRY CRANES WASTE NO TIME.
THEY'VE GOT TO UNLOAD 2,000 OF EMMA'S 12,000 CONTAINERS.
SHE'S DUE TO LEAVE PORT IN 14 HOURS.
THE SHIP'S CREW TAKES A SHORT BREAK
WHILE THE CRANE CREWS DO THEIR JOB.
THEN, IT'S BACK TO WORK.
CHIEF OFFICER LARSEN WANTS TO SQUEEZE IN A LIFEBOAT DRILL.
CHIEF ENGINEER SORT HAS ANOTHER CYLINDER TO REPAIR.
AND CHIEF STEWARD MOLLER IS COOKING UP
ANOTHER SPECIAL DINNER BEFORE EMMA LEAVES TONIGHT.
Moller: AS YOU CAN SEE, VERY JUICY.
Narrator: BUT ALL CAPTAIN SONNICHSEN CAN DO IS WAIT.
NEITHER HE, NOR HIS GREAT SHIP, EMMA MAERSK, BELONG IN PORT.
THEY HAVE A SCHEDULE TO KEEP.
Sonnichsen: WITHOUT A SCHEDULE, WE WOULD NOT HAVE A VESSEL.
AND WITHOUT CUSTOMERS, WE WOULD NOT HAVE A VESSEL.
Narrator: THIS YEAR ALONE, THEY WILL TRAVEL 196,000 MILES.
THAT'S LIKE CIRCLING THE GLOBE SEVEN AND A HALF TIMES.
FOR EMMA, THE JOURNEY HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END.
SHE WAS BUILT WITH A SINGLE PURPOSE--
TO DELIVER THE WORLD'S COMMERCE,
ON TIME, ON BUDGET, AND NEVER STOP.