CHAPTER 515: CHAPTER 359 THE RICHEST PERSON_3

Han Yu coldly said in English, "Captain, this is a major safety hazard. It can cause a large amount of water to enter the engine room, leading to the loss of stability of the ship and potential failure of electromechanical equipment, causing the ship to be at risk of losing control!"

The Malaysian Captain shrugged, at a loss for words.

Upon inspecting the oil cabinet, it was unexpectedly found to be distorted and deformed, a rare defect under normal circumstances, which usually manifests as a stuck quick-closing valve.

Oil is one of the three elements necessary for an engine room fire. The expansion and deformation of the oil cabinet could lead to a significant risk of oil leakage due to rupture!

First, record and take photographs as evidence.

Checking the cargo hold, there was water accumulated on the floor.

Upon careful inspection, it was discovered that the crew had used a rag to plug a hole in the floor, and when the rag was removed, river water gushed in like a fountain.

The watertight integrity of the ship’s hull and bottom is the basic protection against water ingress, and water entering through holes in the bottom could seriously affect the ship’s stability. Even if their seaman’s certificates were genuine, they couldn’t just let them go.

The inspection continued from four thirty in the afternoon until seven ten in the evening, revealing a total of one hundred and twenty-eight minor and major defects!

Director Tang arrived, Sister Zhu arrived, leaders from the Port Authority, leaders from Customs and the border inspection station, and leaders from the Commercial Inspection Bureau came, even Director He from the Changhang Bureau heard the news and came.

"We must detain the ship, Old Xu, according to the Convention and the ’Domestic Sea-going Vessels Construction Specifications’ and other regulatory provisions, issue them a detention notice."

"Yes!"

"Secretary Miao, it’s not that we are being nitpicky, but this ship indeed has significant hidden dangers."

Although Secretary Miao is now a Vice Mayor, he still prefers to be addressed as Secretary Miao.

The Port Authority used to be a provincial-level entity, equivalent to Binjiang City in ranking. The Secretary of the Port Authority is the top leader, and who knows where a vice mayor stands in comparison — who would want to be deputy if they can be the chief?

Secretary Miao didn’t expect this ship to have so many defects, and thinking about the daily fees the ship would have to pay to the Port Authority for each day it was detained, he nodded slightly: "Since there are major hidden dangers, we must pay serious attention."

The shipowner is from Hong Kong, who knows if the shipowner will seek connections to lobby, which could help share some pressure on the Port Supervision Bureau.

Director Tang looked back and said, "I’ve already had the Ship Agency contact the shipowner, and we’ll report to the superiors once we’re back at the bureau."

Secretary Miao stroked his chin, turned around, and said, "Director Huang, we need to make arrangements on the dock side as well, those major defects must be addressed before we allow them to leave the port."

"Alright, I’ll notify the control room now."

"Salted Fish is also here, when did you arrive?"

"Reporting to Secretary Miao, I arrived at noon."

The young man is very capable, and being a son-in-law to someone at the Port Supervision Bureau, he treats its matters as his own.

Director Tang was very pleased with Han Yu’s performance, smiling as he introduced, "Secretary Miao, Salted Fish helped us a great deal this time; he discovered those defects along with Old Xu and Old Yang. Director He, Salted Fish is now not only an officer from your division but also a Port State Control (PSC) consultant for our Port Supervision Bureau safety inspection team."

With so many defects, if there’s a fine of ten thousand for each, it could amount to more than a million fines for this ship!

Calculating the potential fines, Director He was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "Having Salted Fish as your consultant is fine, but you can’t let him work for free; he should also be given an appointment letter and consultant fees."

Secretary Miao completely agreed, turning around with a smile, "Director Tang, Salted Fish has trip allowances even for his part-time pilot work, and consultants should have consultant fees as well."

"Both of you rest assured, there definitely will be."

"Salted Fish, dabbling here and there, your income is incredible, even higher than mine!"

The leaders started joking again, and Han Yu, feeling a bit embarrassed, grinned and said, "I do have a decent income apart from my salary; I’ll treat you to a meal sometime."

Sister Zhu couldn’t help but laugh, "You must treat us, Secretary Miao, you might not know, but Salted Fish is genuinely a little tycoon. Not only does he have personal wealth, but the unit he’s responsible for is also the wealthiest."

"Come to think of it, it’s true. Back at Yanjiang Police Station, the largest fixed asset of the Linghai Police Bureau was the dunship and vessel 001. Now that he’s moved under Director He’s watch, they are about to build a new ship, investing tens of millions, once again the wealthiest."

As soon as Secretary Miao finished speaking, Sister Zhu laughed again, "When he went to the East Sea to learn how to pilot ships, though the job was tough, there were labor fees and voyage allowances. When others were earning a mere hundred yuan a month in dead wages, he was making tens of thousands a year. Now with his skills, whether teaching, part-time piloting, or consulting, he still earns more than others!"

"I can’t talk any more about this; I’ll get jealous."

"I’m quite envious of that much money as well."

"Salted Fish, did you hear that? You’re even richer than us secretaries and directors; if you don’t treat us, I won’t let you take on any more part-time piloting."

"Please, please, please. I just hope that the leaders will give me the opportunity to express my gratitude."

...

In a corner, busy making calls to report to company leadership and contacting the shipowner, Tang Wentai was stunned, unable to believe that his old classmate had done so well, knowing so many leaders. And the leaders seemed very familiar with him, showing great concern and high regard for him.