Tom Hanks new film "Captain Philips"

Ref. to proof reading or whatever it would be called for the cinema/tv movies, have been meaning to ask for some time, how many noticed in New Tricks the episodes filmed in Gibralter that the commander RN who turns out to be the villain, was wearing his left epaulette the wrong way round. This was further accentuated in the next episode where it was still the wrong way round. Shows the powers of observation of those making movies.
Is nearly as bad as the footballer wearing his OBE on the wrong side whilst among a bunch of military officers a couple of years ago. Even our erstwhile press did not pick up on it, too busy I suppose looking for jucier news. John Sabourn

Hi John S.,

Apparently, our friend from the Solent is unavailable for any extraneous appointments at the moment. I understand he is currently undergoing a 'crash' course in sphincter control, or should be if he's got any sense (which seems doubtful).;)


............Roger

My brief experience under the white ensign ( trials) it would probably not have happened if on a warship as the Bridge would more than likely be manned by CPOs as soon as away from the land, they seemed to run everything practical, the officers being available for the cocktail parties. John Sabourn

Agree lads piracy has been prevalent for decades, Remember being in the Gulf of Aden early 70s just sailed through the Red Sea at anchor, Where I cant for the life of me remember. Water barge come alongside guy with a handkerchief tied around his face threw me a line on the well deck with a note attached.{ Water SWL.2. } I was alone on deck and a yell from the second m8 on the bridge come down throw that line back and get the rest of the crew on deck. They started there trade by robbing ships crews now it is getting right out of control. Looking forward to the Tom Hanks movie I don't think he has ever made a bad one Terry.:th_thth5952deef:

Ted that area of Africa has always been well known for Piracy. Since going to sea the old sailing directions always advised to keep so many miles off Socotra. The last time I looked in the Sailing Directions and Pilotage Books of that area 20 years ago the same warnings were there. Nothing has changed in the past couple of hundred years. As said in a previous post nothing has been said publicly until the first passenger ship was attacked. Cheers John Sabourn

Further to above... Someone told me years ago about a boarding on an Australian ship in the South China Sea. The bridge was overrun and the 2nd. Mate at the time was told to sit in Pilots Chair. He thought he had a chance of making a call on the VHF, he was unsuccessful, told to sit down again, and they blew both kneecaps off with a shotgun blast. He did survive I was told. Stories as such happenings to seafarers have been happening well before our time also. Cheers John Sabourn.

by lad you had me going on that one regards cappy

Cappy if you were ever with Dalgliesh"s the Marine Superintendent was a Capt. Philips, suppose if he were still alive he would be about 128 years of age. So cant be the same man, probably still the same type though, had to show him what I wanted 5 gallon of white gloss for once. It was to paint the Bridge front of the Warkworth, told him it would be easier for me if he didn't supply, it was there within 10 minutes. Cheers John Sabourn

sounds a right barsteward john guess he will be a cadaver now arrgh hate that word ...regards cappy ps has the case arrived yet

Busy drinking it. Would you believe everyone on the Warkworth knew how to tie a stage knot, and even lowered themselves without health and safety interference. Cheers John Sabourn