belated xmas

never mind who led who astray, or done what to whom and when and where,
just give us the interesting details!

Colin

In the late 1960s our neighbour in Singapore was a Royal Insurance wallah. He was quite a larakin. He had heard of the exploits of some of the chaps that had taken the leave option of sea travel. He arranged a booking on a twelve passenger cargo ship - could have been Ben Line - and at his send off he was quite excited. Off he sailed with a broad grin on his face until he discovered the other passengers were all nuns.
Richard

In the 1950's Richard on a 12 passenger ship (PSNC) took 12 Nuns out to South America, was the only time we cadets got treated like human beings whilst they were on board (Master/Mate strong Catholics), after they disembarked we resumed our usual position of lowest of the low, bilge rats and worked harder than normal to make up for lost time whilst the Nuns were aboard.

Well Cappy, I trust you had a great day with your family & friends.:D I hope your Mother in law gains renewed strength and proves the Doctors wrong.

#23
Ivan, I expect it reflects the true nature of the beast. Like some going to church and back out on the street again, out of sight , out of mind.
Richard

Incidentally, if my memories serve me right twelve passengers and under meant a ship's doctor was not required.

Re. This 12 passenger allowance before a doctor is carried. I too grew up with being told this, but can never remember sighting such in any regulations as such. Where were these regs. to be found.? I have sailed with 15 passengers and no doctor, however this was under the Liberian flag. I have also sailed on a Norwegian ship with about 60 on board with a doctor (no passengers) the Norwegian Master sacked him as he tried to have most of the meat declared unfit. I have also sailed on a Russian ship with a full Russian crew plus Australian crew with no doctor. Before flying to join I tried to insist on a doctor, however was told none was available, so I insisted on a Medic, on the grounds that the medical equipment on board would be in Russian. I was told to make my own arrangements, so I arranged with a bloke who ran a private ambulance service who was a trained medic, agreed on a salary, and he flew up to join with me.( poor sod is now dead, died very young shortly after). What regs are there now re medical personel on board ships ??? John S.

I remember reading about the regs max 12 passengers somewhere John, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if a shipowner could have got away with having more than 12 passengers without having to pay a doctors salary then there would have been more passenger cabins midships and more crew relegated aft or for'd. These 12 passenger ships never sailed empty in either direction until the advent of air travel took over, but they still survived a long time after as most airlines didn't operate to the out of way places these ships traveled to and in which ex-pats still ran

in other words---NON TODAY< NON TOMORROW< NONE THE NEXT DAY
poor chap--time to meet the 5 fingered widow.

Many years ago it was the rule that 99 people on board no doctor required but over that one was.
Cheers
Brian

I dont know it this happened in Ivans time with PSNC but they did carry a Dispenser from time to time.I believe he was on one shilling a month but he got a trip to WCSA out of it.He took charge of the medical cabinet,dished out the pills etc and gave the boys the jabs on the way home.I suppose if all passenger cabins were booked a Dispenser would not be carried as he lived in a passenger cabin.
Regards.
Jim.B.