Flagging out

[Ivan Cloherty]

I see in the US News today that Maersk has nearly completed putting all its ships under the US Flag and is obliged to carry US Officers and crew on US rates of pay, if Maersk can achieve good financial results following this expensive path, why cannot British shipowners fly the Red ensign and crew with British seafarers.

Of course having all the modern Maersk ships under the Stars and Stripes also allows the US Govt to requisition them as support ships during times of conflict, and of course the US Merchant marine has more standing with the US Govt than did our men with our Governments of any persausion.

Just an observation, who do we call upon in times of conflict, have we anybody left, as sure as acorns is acorns the EEC won't and under Obama neither will the US of A

[Colin Hawken]

We've a history of doing well on our own. If we can get the dead hand of Europe off our backs,maybe we could again.

[happy daze john in oz]

It would be great to see British men, and ladies, back at sea. But somehow I cannot see todays younger generation, if anything like some of ours, taking it up. Too much disiplne, long hours, no mobiles at sea, and too far from home.

[Captain Kong]

It would be great to see British men, and ladies, back at sea. But somehow I cannot see todays younger generation, if anything like some of ours, taking it up. Too much disiplne, long hours, no mobiles at sea, and too far from home. John

.
Hi John,
We were the last of the Seafarers, the world will not see our likes again.