Passenger questions

[vic mcclymont]

Whilst contemplating my navel today I though back to the time when I sailed on the S.A. Vaal and soem of the questions we were asked-here goes.

Passenger - Where does the electricity come from onboard the ship. Us we generate our own. Them what do you do with the surplus. Us there is no surplus, we only generate what we require. Try explaining how AVR's and governors work to the passengers - glazed looks from them. It was easier in the end to state that any surplus was stored in giant batteries- seemed to placate them.

Passenger what time do we stop at night? us Why? So you guys can get some sleep. Explain the watch system- still didn't get it.

Passenger does the ship ever go to Jo'burgh - no. Why not- no water.

Seeing the Log being trailed - whats that for - thats the ships power cable - oh- yes wondered where we got the electricity from.

Does this ship ever roll over - only once.

I am sure that you guys can expand this thread.
Vic

[Ivan Cloherty]

What's that thing at the top of the mast.....................it's a truck
What does it do..........................it stops the wooden topmast from swelling and splitting
No, what is it really for.................it's for wheeling the seagull sh*t away, that's why it's called a truck

many an apprentice got into trouble for that one!

[robpage]

Passenger tours were a punishment duty as far as I was concerned . I was generator room Junior engineer and had a Gene. Greaser who had a sick sense of humour . In taking a tour into the Stabiliser flat , the greaser emerged from the Bilge with the chains off a chain Block wrapped around him . This was my off watch time as it was his too , this was a UCL engine room guy turning too for free , that was a rare breed indeed . " Don't Beat me again Boss " , he pleaded , oh was very funny , I spent some time explaining the funny side to the First Engineer , who had just had the Chief in his ear after dinner , being told how miserably we treated the greasers by a concerned woman who happened to be on his table .

[vic mcclymont]

Passengers were barred from E.R trips on the VAAl.
Apparently on one trip a young lad who was eye level with the red Air circuit breaker trip button, was instructed not to touch. Worst thing that they could have done, you guessed, button pressed resultant outcome blackout.

[robpage]

I believe something Similar happened on the Good Hope and the Main Engines stopped . I would have loved to hear someone explain that to the Old Man

[Lou Barron]

I was asked one time by a women how do you post your letters is there a post box near you at sea

[Peter F Chard]

A couple come to mind -- Where is the '' Golden Rivet " that is built into every ship ?? In the Chief Engineers bedroom was my reply. And believe it or not she actually asked him and could she see it ?

From a male passenger asking how many gallons of fuel we had bunkered in Curacao. 5500 tonnes was my answer -- how many gallons is that ? About 1.25 million was the answer -- Gee, you must have been tired after holding the pump handle for all that time was the reply !! Cheers Peter in NZ.

[Neil Morton]

On a Port Line passenger cargo, only 6 bloods, I was tending bar for pre dinner drinks when a terribly British lady stated,"I met your donkey man today." "Oh yes ," I replied," that's old Ned." " Yes a charming fellow, but tell me where does he keep the donkey?"
I know, I know, you've heard it before however she believed me when I said we sold it outward bound in the Panama Canal.

[robpage]

I saw that Donkey in Cristobal , it was a rude old thing

[cappy]

jealousy gets you nowhere rob