I steered ships like the Dali for 13 years. Entering and leaving a port is extremely challenging — here's what should have been done in Baltimore.

• Sachin Saxena is a former ship captain who spent 13 years navigating the globe on large ships. 
• He breaks down the processes of entering and exiting ports in big vehicles like the Dali.
• In emergencies like power failures, a ship can't just stop and there's a lot of pressure onboard. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sachin Saxena, a 45-year-old former ship captain from Singapore. It has been edited for length and clarity.