The jobs we did before and after our Sea life .

[j.sabourn]

Ref. Your time at the Tasmania maritime College Michael , do you have recollections of the time there. My cousin was a lecturer in Engineering there in 1998 and a number of years before that . He initially starting lecturing in South Shields Marine School after a varied career similar to yourself, started off at sea with the RFA. I had a conducted tour around the same College the Xmas and New Year period 1998 , and had new year at the head of Colleges house , can’t remember his name off hand ,but he was ex RN in the Engineering Branch , a very intelligent man and an excellent host , think his wife was an expert in wines . Just the sort of place one should be this time of the year . A very belated welcome and merry X marks the spot Christmas JS

[John Pruden]

what would a captains pay in 1969 i went from 26 pound a month too 180 pound per week after coming home?jp

[J Gowers]

I only had a few jobs during my lifetime started of at 13 collecting money for a local farmer who supplied eggs and potatoes in the local area which was in Pollock a Glasgow housing scheme. It certainly tought me a bit about life, there was the really rough looking houses and people who always gave me a tip and the ones with the smart gardens who used to put the lights out and pretend there was no one at home. Took a bit of bottle to shout through the letter box I knew they were at home.
Then moved on to serve my apprenticeship with the MOD at ROF Bishopton (explosives factory) which I got through nepotisim as my father had worked there since the War.
This lead on to joining Denholms in 1974, as J/E, who put me through my chief's ticket.
Moved on to Swecal and then BP for a couple of years before going offshore in 1989.
In the drilling industry I worked mostly as a Maintence Superviser/Chief Engineer but with stints as Asset Manager and Technical field support engineer.
In my adult life apart from the time serving my apprenticeship with the grind of a Monday to Friday job I always worked away from home all over the World and I would not change a minute of it.

[j.sabourn]

#142 You could pick a figure out of a hat John.if you wanted the NMB rate you would have to look in the NMB 1969 edition. In 1969 I was mate on a Hong Kong Company ship registered in Gibraltar. My wages as mate was 32 pounds a day, The chief engineer was 33 pounds a day and the master on 34 pounds a day. 3 years previous in the evil 1966 I was on 101-7/6 pounds a month. It is a hard answer you are looking for as too many variances such as leave and bonuses etc. The best wages and conditions I personally saw for seamen was 1991 to 2002 in Australia.
JS

[John Pruden]

thanks john the only thing was i never had chance to spend any 12 on 12 off 7 days a week driving machines digging the new seaforth container terminal out 55 million yards out..jp

[j.sabourn]

#145 John the rates on Australian offshore ships in 1991 were on 6 week swings 1 on 1.165 days off.
master $ 70281 per annum
mate and 2 engineer $62250 p.a,
cheng. $68875 p.a.
I R. (AB) $51539 p.a.
there are 6 pages of agreements re bonuses etc. travelling expenses etc. these agreements were re-negotiated every year with a usual substantial increase . dont forget this was for less than 6 months labour. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

My mate when he came ashore became a diesel fitter.
He would go to the local market, pick up clothes and say,

Dees will fit her.

[George Runacus]

Really enjoyed going through this thread, thanks for starting it.
I am embarrassed to say that my working life was very boring. Started out well as I remember it 1953 as a 10 yr old (true) on the back of a motorbike and sidecar delivering milk in Toxteth. then a paper round in Allerton aged 11 - 13. Left school 1958 and became an office boy before joining the Royal Navy in 1959. came out in 1970 then heating engineer, contract electrician, maintenance electrician, houseparent (Residential Social Worker), Social Worker (Practice Teacher) Now nearing 80 and caring for me missus. Funny thing is that jobs both ends were the best...So far. Sitting here 40,000 words into my Booker Prize winning book - Still dreaming

[Doc Vernon]

Just reviving this older Thread, to see if there are any newbies that may want to add their Years of what they did during their lifetime .
Alway interesting to read what others did in life before and after the Merchant Navy!
Cheers Lads and Lasses!

[j.sabourn]

#148 Bit short of getting a navy pension then George ? What went wrong disallusioned ? Nothing wrong with delivering newspapers today they are thrown out of a car window beats walking through rain fog mist and falling hail. Maybe if after getting the Booker prize should make a quick trip up Mount Everest or maybe a quick jaunt into politics may get the results you seek. The second choice also has the good chance of a better than naval pension , so every chance this may be the chance you are seeking. All the best in your endeavours. Wasn’t it Julius Caesar who said when saw Britain … I came , I saw, I conquered . Cheers JS.