Lookouts

[John Arton]

Hi
bet you never thought that lookout duties would encompass this.
Recent IMO legislation means that all seafarers who have the notation "rating forming part of a navigational watch" have also have to have a security notation in their ticket as, along with their lookout duties, they are now considered, under the dreaded ISPS code, to form part of the security watch and as such have to take on security duties beyond that as gangway watchmen when in port.
Makes you wonder what next they are going to pile onto the bridge team
rgds
JA

[Keith Tindell]

It seems that everything is going downhill fast, as an AB in the 50`s commanded a certain amount of respect, you had good skills, rigging, steering etc, now seems the village idiot can go to sea. I remember we shipped a DSU from South America back to UK, the JOS was a far superior seaman, but the DHU rode him, and made his life hell, until the Bosun read his history to him, and he was almost black listed on the ship, glad i quit when i did , regards KT

[Captain Kong]

I am glad I retired when normal common sense and the good practice of Seamanship prevailed.
Cheers
Brian.

[j.sabourn]

Makes me wonder how these people arrive at all this legislation. Do they know how ships are manned these days. To have a lookout is a luxury. Reminds me of the examiner asking the candidate what would you do if lying at anchor and the wind freshens, and cand. says drop another anchor, the examiner then says gets even fresher, cand. says drop another anchor. The examiner then says where are you getting all these anchors from and the cand. says the same place your getting all these winds. On a lot of manning on speciality vessels is to me out of kilter with the supposed work load, I too would not be too keen if starting afresh. John Sabourn

[Des Taff Jenkins]

HI John.
The way things are on the waterfront these days the gangway watch will need bazooka training, we only had to put up with a few mooring ropes going missing. But now especilly down here in Aus drugs are brought in ton lots in containers, customs officials helping to get them through, you would need to be blind Pew on the gangway watch.
Cheers Des
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[j.sabourn]

Sometimes when on the supply vessels carrying cargos out to rigs in the North Sea we and other vessels used to take out boxes of videos for their recreation. Until customs found this was the way of smuggling drugs out to them for their own use. Drugs seem to have worked their way into every part of the workforce. Yet I can remember when the customs used to turn a blind eye to the occasional chinese crews who smoked opium. It was Britain that started their forefathers on the drug in the first place. You were always aware of something going on when the old joss sticks were out to try and kill the smell. Tobacco has almost been outlawed and if the goodies have their way so will alcohol. I have never seen the problem of a few beers and such, but such a stink has been made caused by a very few who have abused it and the rest of us have to suffer the consequence. The term wardrobe drinker is quite true. I joined one ship and the mate I relieved had a large locker in his cabin fitted out with the optics barstool and light. No wonder he used to disappear for lengthy periods I was told. Cheers John Sabourn

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, The drugs trade will never be stopped by some watching a gang-way, What is needed is an army of honest people bullet proof vests with A.K 47 to help them. or take the money?

[leratty]

It is interesting the comments on drugs as they were becoming quite prevalent on my last couple of trips with the exception of the big H they were soft as far as I know there was no smuggling of them then?
I agree John re 'the few' spoiling it for the others this though has been the case forever even if you recall back at school.
I must say I enjoyed my lookout duties, especially in the tropics what skies we saw, amazing & to experience a thunder-lightening storm there what an awesome yet beautiful sight. Did not though enjoy it when forward in seriously rough weather, light ship say doing a coaster trip, SCARY like riding a bucking bronco & you were as useful as tits on a bull too.

[Gary Worton]

My seagoing experiences were in the late 1950s and drugs were never an issue.
I have done look-out duties on the fo'c'sle, crows-nest (believe it or not) and monkey island. Anyone who doesn't know what these positions are is not a seaman!
The only 'drug' of which I was aware during my maritime meanderings was alcohol in all of it's different forms.
We didn't do 'crack' or 'meths' or any of these other weird whacky concoctions, nor did we have joss sticks permeating the atmosphere. And it was always under control; believe it or not.
Whatever happened to the Merchant Navy that I used to know?
It is to weep!

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, Had a great book about the drug trade how its run today, with a part about how much still comes in by ship. Drugs have been carried by all ships of all flags, for hundreds of years in the early years many seaman earn extra money by helping to refine the drugs and tabbaco We were not the only ones' who were drug runners other countries were part of it too. My Wifes great great great grand father was a sea captain, sailed from bristol who was well rewarded, by the crown for his deeds in the black gold/sliver /drugs trade helped keep britain a super power in them days and many fortunes were build on the evil trade