Do ships actually follow the Maritime Labour Convention?

[Johnny Kieran]

Had a similar thing happen on the Beaver Pine. We were called out one night to secure a Derrick that had broken away at the base of the crutch holding it. Sea was 3-4 feet deep over the deck every other minute or so it was so rough, and the spray was freezing in the air. We got a line and made a lasso out of it, and tried to catch it as it swung from side to side, smashing everything on it's merry way.
I got picked up when a wave crashed along the deck, and was whooshed along the deck fully afloat. I was saved by the bulwark as I crashed into it with my legs open wide, one leg over the top, and one just below the edge. I won't go into what parts of me took the force of it, but it's the only time in my life I was thankful for getting them hurt. The others did tie the derrick down, but I was out of it for the next day or so, but no permanent damage, thank the Lord.

[James Curry]

I am sure Ivan could tell of some hairy moments, think he went away on trawlers at an early age. I love fish but it annoys me when people have a moan at the price of it sometimes. I had a charmed life at sea apart from the odd rocket through the accommodation. Total respect for those who work on trawlers especially in the North Atlantic and Artic seas.

[j.sabourn]

#43 Similar thing on a ship called the Maratha Envoy crossing the Pacific bound for South Korea. I jumped down onto the main deck expecting some of the Indian crew to follow , they didn’t , however managed to get a line on the swinging Derrick and back up higher on to the next deck up . Went back on the Bridge and got a bollickinfg from the old man , who was a retired seafarer that had come back into the industry . He said I”ll get in touch with the London office and they’ll send a superintendent out for the repairs . I told him that was not the way things went anymore. Back came the message tell the mate to arrange repairs and send us a costing. He was furious . Arriving South Korea I saw a small welding company and asked them for a price for the rewelding of a few broken handrails
And went ahead in the meantime the old man who was incidentally from Sunderland came into my dayroom before I turned in and said to me I’m going home mate I’ve had enough , I thought he was joking .Next morning he was gone . So my cable to the office from South Korea was job completed cost $450 , master gone home.
Back came the reply do you want the masters job permantly , sent back No thank you. I had 11months in and did not want to do another 12 months . But I sent back also , if you are stuck for a master will take the ship to the next port of call in Japan , but expect to see him on arrival . He was, but another retired seafarer from as far north in Scotland as one can get. I finally got off in Durban after 14 months , it was a 12 months contract . The story does go on but would be sitting here doing it for the next hour . Cheers JS
PS This was the same trip that they landed on the moon for the first time and 4 weeks previously had been sitting in a Bar in Honolulu minding my own business watching it on TV just to Give anyone interested in the time era. JS

[Ivan Cloherty]

I am sure Ivan could tell of some hairy moments, think he went away on trawlers at an early age. I love fish but it annoys me when people have a moan at the price of it sometimes. I had a charmed life at sea apart from the odd rocket through the accommodation. Total respect for those who work on trawlers especially in the North Atlantic and Artic seas.

James the stories are somewhere in the circa 10,000 posts where my life has been laid bare in one form or another. I think most of us deckies in that era when we thought our ships were big, but compared to today's were but minnows, have been swept down the deck on a few occasions and are lucky to be here, but if the sea wants you, she will take you.

Also derricks breaking free was a regular occurence in bad weather, as on most ships it was the tip of the derrick which lay in the crutch (oh! those were the days ) and the derrick head seem to work its way out whether it be in a steel clamp or a rope lashing as the vessel worked and flexed in a seaway, and once adrift it caused havoc, damage to structures and being circa 35/45 feet in length and 1/1.5 tons in weight swinging through 90 degrees plus, its trajectory being limited by mast stays and structure 4 or 5 men each weighing about 10/12 stone whilst the ship is rolling port to starboard 20 to 40 degrees trying to get it back in position was no mean feat. We earned what little we did get paid. On one ship as a cadet the 60 ton jumbo came adrift in a storm, known for my climbing ability I was sent aloft to the cross tree with a messenger (light rope for non seafarers info) to get the messenger across it which took some doing and some hairy moments, (no safety gear in those days, thank god, has it may have got entangled in the jumbo rigging) anyway sent the messenger down with shackle attached to stop it being whipped away horizontally and then had to guide the runner wire past the vertical swinging jumbo over the cross tree back down to deck through a snatch block where it was winched tight, all in a days work !! Loved climbing masts and coming down the stays, elf n safti wud ave a blue fit these days

[Keith Tindell]

I loved working on the trampers, long time at sea over long distances, at a very low speed, ports to call into that you had trouble finding on an Atlas. Cargoes sold at sea to new destinations. the world is so much smaller now, with virtually everywhere in easy reach. In those days, i had no attachments, so could go anywhere to a ship at the drop of a hat, many times did not take my leave completely, bored with the village life, all my mates working, go up to the pool and see what was available.One married of course, that life finished. Gain i was lucky to come ashore when i did, a small amount of years later, there were very few ships.

[j.sabourn]

#47 I was one of the ones who through sheer bullheadedness stuck it out to the bitter end Keith. The only thing I achieved was maybe a better life style for my family and to know I had achieved also what I set out to do. I was there after my growing up stage to make a living that I couldn’t make ashore . I have no regrets of the life I lead suited me but many I know it didn’t. The nearest I ever came to a shore life at sea was on the ore carriers where saw the family frequently. But even that became humdrum when I remembered other parts of the world. I was lucky in my marriage as wife went along with my wishes and was a competent lady herself who could do both jobs when bringing up kids , better than I could have done. I’ve had a happy wife and a good life even though it was mainly at sea , have left no bad smells behind that bother me , and have known the good the bad and the ugly.
Cheers JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

John S
You were lucky you didn't end up in the States, could have been a shanghai onto the Space ship.
Des

[j.sabourn]

#49 Des most seamen have itchy feet non so more than a very good friend of mine living locally. He and his wife we met years ago well Over 40 years ago , some of the members living in Queensland know him as still visits them , wont mention his name as would probably embarrass him but that friendship has been solid through out years. He is a good 10 years younger than me . He has never lost the wanderlust and is off to various parts of the universe whenever the urge takes him and has been off on his last jaunt to uk and Northern Europe since June so should be home soon if not already .His wife like mine accepts his foibles and would rather stay at home .He was an engineer at sea when we met and carried his wife with him so has different foibles than him . Today however if I had been younger and able to travel and tried to do the same , I think my wife would give a good sharp tug on my leash . Cheers JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

John.
You could always use a slip collar.
Des