Bill Rowstron (Robin William (Bill) Rowstron)

[Brian Probetts (Site Admin)]

We learn today that our friend and shipmate Bill Rowstron Crossed the bar on July 14th 2023.

Bill went to sea in 1962 on general cargo vessels and left the sea in 1978 as Chief Engineer.
Worked in training engineers and engine room staff until 1984.
Became Superintendent Engineer in major fishing company in New Zealand and then Engineer Manager of fishing company in USA.
Moved to Australia in 1984 and became Surveyor and Examiner of Engineers for NT Government before retiring in 2005.

Calling Far North Queensland home Bill spent his retirement developing a Tourist heritage railway.

Bill is going to be sadly missed by Sandra and all his family and friends.

[j.sabourn]

That name sounds familiar. Out here the certification is different as each State or Terrority has its own certificate structure . The Ruling authority being Federal and AMSA being the head of. AMSA stands for Australian Maritime Safety Authority and has the same power as the old BOT , MOT , and today the Coastguard I believe of Britain. Have sometimes had queries from Surveyors when have had engineers working in different States to their origin of certificates , however these queries have usually come from young university graduates doing ship inspections and just following checklists of the requirements of the vessel , and never been to sea in their lives . I think the name I am thinking of is a near miss and was Rowson a chief I sailed with offshore in the uk. However all of us I am sure have regrets that once more one of our own has passed away and our regards to his family he leaves behind ,not much consolation I know . Thanks for the information . JS

[j.sabourn]

Ref. To Bill Rowstron ( Rowson) maybe it could be me that have had his name spelt wrong. 0n the off chance they are one and the same did he ever work for SML of Aberdeen. Or Wimpey Marine of Great Yarmouth ? This is going back 45 years so memory’s are sometimes very sketchy. JS

[Bill Morrison]

Ref. To Bill Rowstron ( Rowson) maybe it could be me that have had his name spelt wrong. 0n the off chance they are one and the same did he ever work for SML of Aberdeen. Or Wimpey Marine of Great Yarmouth ? This is going back 45 years so memory’s are sometimes very sketchy. JS

Hi John. The Willie Rowson you recall was with SML, (aka) as Willie Womble. He passed away in Nov. 2018. Ex Blue Funnel.
Bill.

[j.sabourn]

Thanks Bill the mention of Willie Womble brings fleeting memories back. Now have to try and remember which ship (s) Some things stick in the mind forever , others don’t. Another one slipped his moorings unnoticed by some of us. JS