British seafarer

[John Callon]

Hi Rob,

Have just read your magnificent post and, personally, think it the best, most succinct yet colourful comment on the demise of the British M.N. I've read for quite some time. You said it all, mate, well done and thank you.

................regards, Roger.

Totally concur with what you say Roger. Without doubt the best piece of literature that I have ever read on the downfall of the MN. Well done Rob and thanks a lot.
Regards
John

[robpage]

The I.Mar.E in 1968 ( I think ) gave in all to readily to pressure from the Engineering Council and down rated the Class 1 certificate as now being insufficient qualification for registration as a Chartered Engineer . I felt the I.Mar>E gave in too easily . Having done a Honours Degree and class 1 combined certificates , the Class 1 was harder too obtain and required a wider knowledge . When you looked at the controlling parts , there seemed to be an unwritten strategy , the Institute must survive . now as IMarEST with 19,000 members it is smaller and more diverse . It could not live on from the middle 1960's as a Seagoing Marine Engineers Institute , It might have been interesting if the institute had merged all together to represent Seafaring specialists , rather than widen in to Ocean sciences and Technologists . All the learned Institutions have seen mergers to survival , the Plant engineers took joined with Road Transport Engineers , the Electrical with the Incorporated . As the Flag faded so did the support organisations .

[denniswalker]

Thanks to everyone who have posted,it has been interesting to read everybodys comments.I have a been a merchant seaman for thirty years now,and like you guys,have seen it,done it,got the t shirt,seen parts of the world that would see unless you were a seaman,would have not havechanged my career choice.I am still lucky to still be a seaman working on ferries,and hopefully for another twenty years until i retire cheers dennis

[happy daze john in oz]

Interesting subject, and when I look at some of the 'officers', many of whom are White English, on cruise ships I wonder where they got their training. Covered in gold braid, some look as if just out of high school.

[happy daze john in oz]

Hi Rob,

Have just read your magnificent post and, personally, think it the best, most succinct yet colourful comment on the demise of the British M.N. I've read for quite some time. You said it all, mate, well done and thank you.

................regards, Roger.

Roger, if you have not already done so then go to 'Cruise ships of today' in the Forum section. On page two read the posting of mine entitled.
"Then and Now" Think you may find it of inerest.