D.h.u.

[cappy]

I always was interested on how many abs os or sos or bosuns could actually sail a life boat ....it was very very few.......the taking of a lifeboat ticket which I took in dec 1960in shields was a very poor affair and I don't think the standard was up to much ......only ever helped launch a lifeboat in an emergency one time and it was an absolute disaster a 2nd boat having to be launched to pick up the lost apprentice........much easier now I would think with todays life boats..........how many souls were lost in ww2 because the people in a boat could not sail regards cappy

[Keith Tindell]

I can only recall a couple of times that we actually lowered the lifeboat and got it wet, on the Castle boat we did , as we had a race with the winners getting a case of beer in Capetown harbour, but mostly lifeboats at drill were swung outboard, and that was it. Maybe i am mistaken and its my memory. I know at sea it would not be possible underway, but would have thought that in port would have been a good idea, KT

[Ivan Cloherty]

Waiting off Cyprus November 1956 to join the invasion fleet, we had to take the lifeboats out everyday (30 days plus) whatever the weather. Most of the officers and crew were WWII veterans and said you may still need this skill, not all of it will be a walk over. Sailing a lifeboat is akin to sailing a brick we found they handled better if you loaded the bow with gin blocks to give a bit of weight. Hardest part was shinning up the man ropes to get back on board as we were not allowed to use the gangway, and if the mate was in a sh*tty mood bringing the boat up by the winding gear and not the portable electric motor................memories, don't you just luv em!

[John Arton]

By regulation, lifeboats have to be launched and exercised in the water at least once every three months. Nowadays lifeboats are all motor driven so you can have some great fun zooming around in them. Most of us will have sailed on ships that had one motor and one sailing lifeboat. I can recall launching the sail lifeboat (rowing boat) and exercising it in the water. Getting the boys to stroke (no comments please) together when rowing was a bit farcical. Sailing it was easy but getting it to sail anywhere near close to the wind was impossible.
If you were to take your lifeboat ticket at Shields or Fleetwood then for sure you would be taught how to row and sail a lifeboat despite the fact that I doubt very much if there are any ships still sailing with one boat not being fitted with an engine.
Shields and Fleetwood have an annual rowing contest on the Tyne from Newcastle to Shields, using the sea cadets rowing boats with teams made up from deck, engine and female cadets.
This year Shields won the cup and would have had a clean sweep in all categories if some idiot on a DFDS ferry had not decided to interfere with the race and demand that steam had right of way. The ladies team were going so fast that on crossing the finishing line they forgot to pull up and crashed into one of the marshals boats. Does that prove the fact that not only can women not reverse but also that when going forwards they are more interested in checking their hair/makeup than looking where they are going?
rgds
JA (hiding under the stairs from marion)

[j.sabourn]

Pleased we got through the canal before it was closed and had you to come and rescue us Ivan. We went to Malta after Port Said. The Mediterranean Fleet was in, Think Mountbatten was Admiral of. Also the Yankee fleet was there maybe the 6th. fleet cant remember now. The first night ashore there was Hell to pay down the Gut in Valetta, after that the two fleets readjusted their shore leave to alternate nights. Happy carefree days Cheers John Sabourn

[Ivan Cloherty]

It was an experience I'm glad I didn't miss, everything's an adventure when you're young because nothing is ever going to happen to YOU, it will always be the other guy. I've posted photos previously of my time ashore there, unfortunately all the good ones have gone missing, and all my souvenirs from El Gamil airfield were handed to the police by my mother when I was away on another trip, as she wasn't too happy with bayonets in her china cupboard

[j.sabourn]

Better than Cappys seaboots, where I believe he kept his. Cheers John S

[Louis the fly]

Blue Star's " B.A. flyers " carried 12 passengers. There was a list of all the offence's you could be logged for. One of these was Social Intercourse With Passengers.
So presumably you could have sexual intercourse with passengers providing you did not talk to them afterwards.

[j.sabourn]

Think the regulations for a lifeboat with a standing lug and jib was 6 points into the wind. John S

[cappy]

#14 yes rob can tell a few stories about shields girls .........he couldn't keep up with them either